Reverend Black Grape

"Reverend Black Grape" is a song which was released in May 1995 by the English rock band Black Grape. It was the first single to be taken from their debut studio album It's Great When You're Straight...Yeah and peaked at #9 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Reverend Black Grape"
Single by Black Grape
from the album It's Great When You're Straight...Yeah
Released	29 May 1995 (1995-05-29) (UK)
Recorded	1995
Genre	Britpop funk rock alternative rock psychedelic[1] sampledelia[1] big beat[1]
Length	5:13
Label	Radioactive MCA
Songwriter(s)	Shaun Ryder
Producer(s)	Danny Saber
Black Grape singles chronology
"Reverend Black Grape" (1995) "In the Name of the Father" (1995)

The song was co-produced by Danny Saber and Stephen Lironi. It was written by Shaun Ryder and released by Radioactive Records. The sample "Would he agree that a stately minuet would be preferable to the rain dance" is taken from Sir Thomas Arnold asking a question of John Major in the House of Commons in 1994.^[2]

Controversy

The song caused mild controversy when released because of its assertion that Pope Pius XII collaborated with the Nazis: "Oh Pope he got the Nazis, To clean up their messes, In exchange for gold and paintings, he gave them new addresses".^[3] In addition, the song contains a brief audio clip of Adolf Hitler at one of his rallies. The lyrics also borrow from the traditional hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful.

Track listing

CD Single

1. "Reverend Black Grape" – 5:13
2. "Reverend Black Grape (Dub Collar Mix)" – 5:45
3. "Reverend Black Grape (The Dark Side Mix)" – 4:46

CD Maxi Single

1. "Reverend Black Grape" – 5:13
2. "Straight Out of Trumpton (Basement Tapes)" – 4:06
3. "Reverend Black Grape (The Dark Side Mix)" – 4:46

References

1. "Pitchfork: Castoffs and Cutouts: The Top 50 Most Common Used CDs". 2 October 2003. Archived from the original on 2 October 2003. Retrieved 13 September 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
2. "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 25 Oct 1994". publications.parliament.uk.
3. Richard Luck, The Madchester Scene, Harpenden : Pocket Essentials, 2002. ISBN 1903047803 (p. 58).

External links

• "Reverend Black Grape" at Discogs (list of releases)