Mansize Rooster
Encyclopedia
"Mansize Rooster" is a song by Supergrass
, released as the second single from their debut album I Should Coco
. It reached #20 in the UK Singles Chart, remaining on the chart for three weeks. Like its predecessor Caught by the Fuzz
, "Mansize Rooster" was originally limited to 500 copies as a 7" vinyl
only, Backbeat Records release, although pressings are believed to been have been made since. The B-side remained to be Sitting Up Straight, but the songs sound slightly different and have different runtimes to their present day versions. The Backbeat vinyl it was primarily issued on was also green. The song is also used in the movie Casper: A Spirited Beginning
and is included in its soundtrack.
The song, although this not necessarily obvious from the lyrics, is said to be about someone who has a large penis
despite their young age.
It was played as Supergrass
' first ever live television
performance on The Word
in 1995.
7" RS6402 / LTD. ED. Red 7" R6402 / TC TCR6402
5" / CD (In France
only)
The cover design is a lavish symmetrical pattern, which is slightly cartoon-like
. It was commissioned, as the previous ("Caught by the Fuzz
") single's artwork was, by the Designers Republic. Ed Coombes, who was responsible for the photography, is in fact another member of the Coombes family.
The French version features the band playing Twister
on the cover.
The video (which was filmed on a low-budget) begins with various shots of Gaz Coombes
' eyes, ears/sideburns and mouth, then all three of the band are shown with Gaz in the foreground whilst Danny Goffey
and Mick Quinn
shake their heads wildly behind him. A bathtub
in a completely black room is then seen, with the leaves of a potted fern
dangling over it; a plug is dropped into the bathtub as it begins to fill up with dyed blue water. Yellow rubber ducks are also later seen in the water. Scenes of the band in an entirely white room playing their instruments, dancing crazily, jumping around in front of a mirror
and holding up screens of each other are shown.
By this point all three members of Supergrass
are sitting together in the bathtub naked, flicking each other with water and pulling faces. Later on the bathtub lurches forward and speeds off with the band still inside, holding onto the taps for support. At one stage there is use of a clapperboard
. During one of the final choruses, Mick and Danny lift a screen up in front of Gaz and he 'transforms' into a woman (in drag
with a white-blonde wig, lipstick, a beauty spot and false breasts). The video ends with the band walking in an odd fashion off into the distance as the picture fades out. Throughout the video there is also the occasional use of strobe light
ing.
Gaz Coombes
uses his red Gibson SG
guitar during filming.
Supergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
, released as the second single from their debut album I Should Coco
I Should Coco
I Should Coco is the debut studio album by English alternative rock band Supergrass, released through Parlophone in May 1995. Supergrass were formed in 1993 by Gaz Coombes, Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey and they released their debut single from the album, "Caught by the Fuzz", in May 1995 on the...
. It reached #20 in the UK Singles Chart, remaining on the chart for three weeks. Like its predecessor Caught by the Fuzz
Caught by the Fuzz
-Background:Supergrass had released "Caught by the Fuzz" and "Mansize Rooster" as singles on Backbeat Records, which sold out quickly and gained the interest of record producer Sam Williams, who then offered to record some demos of the band's other songs at Sawmills Studio...
, "Mansize Rooster" was originally limited to 500 copies as a 7" vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
only, Backbeat Records release, although pressings are believed to been have been made since. The B-side remained to be Sitting Up Straight, but the songs sound slightly different and have different runtimes to their present day versions. The Backbeat vinyl it was primarily issued on was also green. The song is also used in the movie Casper: A Spirited Beginning
Casper: A Spirited Beginning
Casper: A Spirited Beginning is a direct-to-video spin-off prequel to the 1995 film Casper, produced by Harvey Comics and Saban Entertainment and released by 20th Century Fox on September 9, 1997...
and is included in its soundtrack.
The song, although this not necessarily obvious from the lyrics, is said to be about someone who has a large penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
despite their young age.
It was played as Supergrass
Supergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
' first ever live television
Live television
Live television refers to a television production broadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present. From the early days of television until about 1958, live television was used heavily, except for filmed shows such as I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke. Video tape did not exist until 1957...
performance on The Word
The Word (TV series)
The Word was a 1990s Channel 4 television programme in the United Kingdom.-Format:Its presenters included Mancunian radio presenter Terry Christian, comedian Mark Lamarr, Dani Behr, Katie Puckrik, Jasmine Dotiwala, Alan Connor, Amanda de Cadenet and "Huffty"...
in 1995.
Formats and Track listings
CD CDR6402- "Mansize Rooster" (2:36)
- "Sitting Up Straight" (2:19)
- "Odd?" (4:10) Members of the band can be heard blowing bubblesLiquid bubbleA bubble is a globule of one substance in another, usually gas in a liquid.Due to the Marangoni effect, bubbles may remain intact when they reach the surface of the immersive substance.-Common examples:...
into a bucket during the outro of this song.
7" RS6402 / LTD. ED. Red 7" R6402 / TC TCR6402
- "Mansize Rooster" (2:36)
- "Sitting Up Straight" (2:19)
5" / CD (In France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
only)
- "Mansize Rooster" (2:34)
Single Artwork
- Designer: Designers Republic
- PhotographyPhotographyPhotography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
: Ed Coombes
The cover design is a lavish symmetrical pattern, which is slightly cartoon-like
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
. It was commissioned, as the previous ("Caught by the Fuzz
Caught by the Fuzz
-Background:Supergrass had released "Caught by the Fuzz" and "Mansize Rooster" as singles on Backbeat Records, which sold out quickly and gained the interest of record producer Sam Williams, who then offered to record some demos of the band's other songs at Sawmills Studio...
") single's artwork was, by the Designers Republic. Ed Coombes, who was responsible for the photography, is in fact another member of the Coombes family.
The French version features the band playing Twister
Twister (game)
Twister is a game of physical skill produced by Hasbro Games. It is played on a large plastic mat that is spread on the floor or ground. The mat has four rows of large colored circles on it with a different color in each row: red, yellow, blue, and green. A spinner is attached to a square board...
on the cover.
Music video
- DirectorMusic video directorA music video director is driven by a given music track. These are called music videos and are then used as promotional tools for popular music singles...
: Dom and NicDom and Nicdom&nic is the working name of directors Nic Goffey and Dominic Hawley. They have been directing notable music videos and commercials since 1994....
The video (which was filmed on a low-budget) begins with various shots of Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the English alternative rock band, Supergrass. He first entered the music scene aged sixteen as the lead singer of the band The Jennifers which featured Supergrass band mate Danny Goffey...
' eyes, ears/sideburns and mouth, then all three of the band are shown with Gaz in the foreground whilst Danny Goffey
Danny Goffey
Daniel Robert Goffey Daniel Robert Goffey Daniel Robert Goffey (born 7 February 1974 in Slough, Buckinghamshire (now Berkshire) is an English musician and singer-songwriter best known as the drummer and backing vocalist for the English Britpop band, Supergrass...
and Mick Quinn
Mick Quinn
Mick Quinn is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known as founding member of English rock band Supergrass. He formed the DB Band with bassist Paul Wilson, formerly of Shake Appeal in 2010 and released début EP "Stranger In The Alps" on the 17th September 2011...
shake their heads wildly behind him. A bathtub
Bathtub
A bath , bathtub , or tub is a large container for holding water in which a person may bathe . Most modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass, but alternatives are available in enamel over steel or cast iron, and occasionally waterproof finished wood...
in a completely black room is then seen, with the leaves of a potted fern
Fern
A fern is any one of a group of about 12,000 species of plants belonging to the botanical group known as Pteridophyta. Unlike mosses, they have xylem and phloem . They have stems, leaves, and roots like other vascular plants...
dangling over it; a plug is dropped into the bathtub as it begins to fill up with dyed blue water. Yellow rubber ducks are also later seen in the water. Scenes of the band in an entirely white room playing their instruments, dancing crazily, jumping around in front of a mirror
Mirror
A mirror is an object that reflects light or sound in a way that preserves much of its original quality prior to its contact with the mirror. Some mirrors also filter out some wavelengths, while preserving other wavelengths in the reflection...
and holding up screens of each other are shown.
By this point all three members of Supergrass
Supergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
are sitting together in the bathtub naked, flicking each other with water and pulling faces. Later on the bathtub lurches forward and speeds off with the band still inside, holding onto the taps for support. At one stage there is use of a clapperboard
Clapperboard
A clapperboard is a device used in filmmaking and video production to assist in the synchronizing of picture and sound, and to designate and mark particular scenes and takes recorded during a production...
. During one of the final choruses, Mick and Danny lift a screen up in front of Gaz and he 'transforms' into a woman (in drag
Drag (clothing)
Drag is used for any clothing carrying symbolic significance but usually referring to the clothing associated with one gender role when worn by a person of another gender. The origin of the term "drag" is unknown, but it may have originated in Polari, a gay street argot in England in the early...
with a white-blonde wig, lipstick, a beauty spot and false breasts). The video ends with the band walking in an odd fashion off into the distance as the picture fades out. Throughout the video there is also the occasional use of strobe light
Strobe light
A strobe light or stroboscopic lamp, commonly called a strobe, is a device used to produce regular flashes of light. It is one of a number of devices that can be used as a stroboscope...
ing.
Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the English alternative rock band, Supergrass. He first entered the music scene aged sixteen as the lead singer of the band The Jennifers which featured Supergrass band mate Danny Goffey...
uses his red Gibson SG
Gibson SG
At the launch of the SG in 1961, Gibson offered four variants of the SG; the SG Junior , the SG Special, the SG Standard, and the top-of-the-line SG Custom. However, Gibson's current core variants as of 2010 are the SG Standard and the SG Special...
guitar during filming.