First I Look at the Purse

J. Geils Band

About First I Look at the Purse

"First I Look At the Purse" (G7044) is a 1965 song recorded by R&B group The Contours on Motown Records' Gordy label. It was written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers, the authors of the Temptations' very first hit single, "The Way You Do the Things You Do". This song reached #57 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the Top 20 on Billboard's R&B chart, peaking at #12. The song received some added attention when it was covered by The J. Geils Band on their self-titled debut album in 1970. The song has also been covered by David Bromberg, Rod Stewart, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, The Cortinas and Nashville Pussy. "First I Look at the Purse" was the last Contours hit featuring original lead Billy Gordon. It also features the renewed line-up of Contours, as several original members had left back in 1964. Shortly after its release, Gordon departed the group, and Motown, for good, due to personal problems. He was replaced with Joe Stubbs, brother of lead singer of fellow Motown group The Four Tops, Levi Stubbs. 


Year:
2006
3:55
107 

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First I Look at the Purse
by the J. Geils Band
Some fellas look at the eyes
Some fellas look at the nose
Some fellas look at the size
Some fellas look at the clothes
I don't care if her eyes are red
I don't care if her nose is long
I don't care if she's underfed
I don't care if her clothes are worn
First I look at the purse!
Some fellas like the smiles they wear
Some fellas like the legs that's all
Some fellas like the style of their hair
Want their waist to be small.
I don't care if their legs are thin
I don't care if their teeth are big
I don't care if their hair's a wig
Why waste time lookin' at the waistline?
First I look at the purse!
A woman can be fat as can be,
kisses sweet as honey
But that don't mean a thing to me
If you ain't got no money
If the purse is fat....that's where it's at.
Some fellas like the way they walk
The way they swing and sway
Some fellas like the way they talk
Dig the things they say.
I don't care if they wobble like a...
or talk with a lisp
I still think I'm a good lover
if the dollar bills are crisp
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
I don't care if you got yourself a wrap
all I want is your pretty green cash
Bought me a suit, bought me a car
Want me to look like a hollywood star
Money, (Money!) I want money (Money!)
Baby, ain't no "why", baby (Money!)
I need money!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!

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J. Geils Band

The J. Geils Band was an American rock band formed in 1967, in Worcester, Massachusetts, under the leadership of guitarist John "J." Geils. The original band members included vocalist Peter Wolf, harmonica and saxophone player Richard "Magic Dick" Salwitz, drummer Stephen Bladd, vocalist/keyboardist Seth Justman, and bassist Danny Klein. Wolf and Justman served as principal songwriters. The band played R&B-influenced blues rock during the 1970s and soon achieved commercial success before moving toward a more mainstream radio-friendly sound in the early 1980s, which brought the band to its commercial peak. They performed a mix of cover songs of classic blues and R&B songs, along with original compositions written primarily by Wolf and Justman, as well as some … more »

1 fan

Written by: ROBERT ROGERS, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Original Release
The song "First I Look at the Purse" was originally released by The Contours, an American rhythm and blues singing group in 1965.
Song Writers
The song was written by Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers, members of The Miracles, another well-known Motown band.
J. Geils Band Adaptation
The American rock band the J. Geils Band covered "First I Look at the Purse on their 1970 album The Morning After.
Recording Detail
The J. Geils Band’s version was their first successful single in the US and peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Rod Stewart Cover
Rod Stewart, a British rock singer and songwriter, also covered "First I Look at the Purse." It’s one of the additional tracks on the reissued version of his 1984 album "Camouflage."
Live Versions
The J. Geils Band often performed "First I Look at the Purse" live and it became a fan favorite at their concerts.
Cultural Impact
Despite not being an original song of either the J. Geils Band or Rod Stewart, "First I Look at the Purse" has remained a recognizable and popular track.
Lyrics and Theme
The song is known for its playful lyrics, which elaborate on the theme of materialism and the narrator's attraction to women based on their wealth rather than physical attributes.
Music Style
All versions of the song stay true to its roots in rhythm and blues, though each artist brings their unique style, such as Rod Stewart's gritty voice and the J. Geils Band's rock influences.
Other Covers
Apart from the J. Geils Band and Rod Stewart, other artists like The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Michael Bolton have recorded their versions of "First I Look at the Purse."
Fact about Title
"First I Look at the Purse" is one of the few songs where the title does not appear in the song’s lyrics.

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