In It for the Money
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In It for the Money is the second studio album by English alternative rock band Supergrass, released in 1997. NME called it "more fun than watching a wombat in a washing machine"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and named it the 10th best album of the year. In 1998, Q readers voted it the 68th greatest album of all time,<ref name=autogenerated3>Template:Cite web</ref> while in 2000 the same magazine placed it at number 57 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Recording and conception
Only two songs were written before entering Sawmills Studio, so most of the tracks were penned during recording itself.<ref name=autogenerated4>Supergrass Discothèque – Navigate to "In It for the Money" Template:Webarchive</ref>
Recording was often disrupted by the drummer Danny Goffey going back to London unplanned to record with his and Pearl Lowe's band Lodger. He was told by management that this was unacceptable behaviour. This, along with Gaz Coombes and Goffey's bickering in the music press about the underlying meaning of lyrics to "Going Out", put strain on the recording process.<ref name=autogenerated1>Template:Cite web</ref>
It is speculated that Parlophone, the record label Supergrass were on, offered the band a sum of money to decide on a final name for the album, because they were taking too long to deliberate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>Template:Cite web</ref> However, the band themselves claim that they never received any of this money in return.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other suggestions considered for the title of the album included Hold on to the Handrail and Children of the Monkey Basket (which is now the name of the band's self-run website).<ref name=autogenerated1 />
"Richard III" and "Sun Hits the Sky" appear to end with snippets of other, unreleased songs, that play until fade out.
The guitar solo in "Sometimes I Make You Sad" was written during the recording of In It for the Money; it was recorded at half speed then sped up to achieve the mandolin-like sound.<ref name=autogenerated4 /> The only use of percussion in the song is a cymbal, the drum noises were instead simulated by members of the band making 'grunting' noises. These were then put on a loop.
Album artwork
The album cover is a photograph of the band busking during the filming of the video for their single "Cheapskate". The Japanese edition has, instead, an oil painting by Maff Burley, an old school friend of Danny Goffey. In it, the band is curled up in a circular window at the Old Sawmills at Fowey.<ref name=autogenerated2 /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Reception
The album was critically acclaimed, and peaked at No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and sold 300,000 copies in the UK and over one million worldwide. "The fact that it has sold more worldwide than I Should Coco," said Gaz Coombes, "means we can sleep at night."<ref name=autogenerated3 />
"In It for the Money is my favourite album of the year…" declared The Prodigy's Liam Howlett at the close of 1997. "It's quality music. 'Richard III' is a top punk tune – that's why I bought the album."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The album is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Track listing
All tracks written by Supergrass/Rob Coombes.
CD & limited edition CD (with bonus CD) CDPCS7388 / TC TCPCS7388 / 12" PCS7388
- "In It for the Money" – 3:05
- "Richard III" – 3:13
- "Tonight" – 3:09
- "Late in the Day" – 4:43
- "G-Song" – 3:27
- "Sun Hits the Sky" – 4:55
- "Going Out" – 4:16
- "It's Not Me" – 2:56
- "Cheapskate" – 2:43
- "You Can See Me" – 3:40
- "Hollow Little Reign" – 4:08
- "Sometimes I Make You Sad" – 2:48
Limited edition bonus CD
- "Caught by the Fuzz" (acoustic) – 3:06
- "Sitting Up Straight" (alternative mix) – 2:22
- "Melanie Davis" – 2:46
- "Odd?" – 4:14 Members of the band can be heard blowing bubbles into a bucket during the outro of this song.<ref>Supergrass Discothèque – Navigate to "Mansize Rooster" (1995 release) Template:Webarchive</ref>
- "Wait for the Sun" – 4:11
- "Nothing More's Gonna Get in My Way" – 4:05
- "Sex!" – 2:38
- "20ft Halo" – 3:21
- "Je Suis Votre Papa Sucre" – 1:45
Charts
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Weekly charts
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| European Albums Chart<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | 11 |
| Icelandic Albums (Tonlist)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | 5 |
| Irish Albums (IRMA)<ref name=autogenerated5>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | 9 |
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|
Year-end charts
| Chart (1997) | Position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 32 |
| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 56 |
References
External links
- In It for the Money at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
- Template:MusicBrainz release group