Himself

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Himself is the debut of the Irish singer and songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan and was released in August 1971 on MAM Records, after the hit Nothing Rhymed. The producer and manager Gordon Mills recorded the album at Audio International Studios in London. The singer wanted only to sing and play piano, but Mills persuaded him to have full accompaniment with arrangements by Johnnie Spence.

The songs are observant and conversational, with wordplay in which he sees the influence of Spike Milligan. Permissive Twit tells of a girl with an unwanted pregnancy, Houdini Said is about young people rioting, and Thunder and Lightning is one of the brightest numbers. The album begins and ends with a short intro and outro. It reached number 5 on the British albums chart and was well received. His cap and short trousers also drew attention.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Intro0:24Apple Music ↗
2. 2January Git3:14Apple Music ↗
3. 3Bye-Bye3:22Apple Music ↗
4. 4Permissive Twit4:10Apple Music ↗
5. 5Matrimony3:19Apple Music ↗
6. 6Independent Air5:08Apple Music ↗
7. 7Nothing Rhymed3:27Apple Music ↗
8. 8Too Much Attention2:39Apple Music ↗
9. 9Susan Van Heusen2:59Apple Music ↗
10. 10If I Don't Get You (Back Again)2:44Apple Music ↗
11. 11Thunder and Lightning2:59Apple Music ↗
12. 12Houdini Said5:24Apple Music ↗
13. 13Doing the Best I Can2:35Apple Music ↗
14. 14Outro0:38Apple Music ↗
15. 15Disappear1:40Apple Music ↗
16. 16What Can I Do1:34Apple Music ↗
17. 17Mr Moody's Garden3:04Apple Music ↗
18. 18Everybody Knows2:19Apple Music ↗
19. 19Underneath the Blanket Go3:09Apple Music ↗
20. 20We Will3:55Apple Music ↗
21. 21I Didn't Know What to Do1:47Apple Music ↗
22. 22No Matter How I Try3:02Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗