First I Look at the Purse

Rod Stewart

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:
1993
93 

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Some fellows look at the eyes
Some fellows look at the nose 
Some fellows look at the size 
Some fellows 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 underfeed 
I don't care if her clothes are wrong 
First I look at the purse
Some fellows like the smiles they wear
Some fellows like the legs that talk
Some fellows like the style of their hair
They want the waist line to be small
I don't care if their legs all vein
I don't care if their teeth are big
I don't care if she wears a ring 
Why waste time looking at the waist line 
'Cause first I look at the purse...yeah!
A woman can be as fine as can be 
Kisses sweeter than honey 
That don't mean a thing to me
If you ain't got no money, baby 
'Cause if the purse is fat, that's where it's at yeahaa...
Some fellows like the way they walk 
The way they swing and sway
Some fellows like the way they talk 
If they can talk talk all day 
I don't care if she waddles like a duck or talks with a lisp 
I still think I'm in good luck if the dollar bills are crisp 
'Cause first I look at the purse...yeah yeah
Keep an eye on the money 
Woman's got to have some fine greenbacks hah
I ain't greedy guys 
Oh I don't want to work no more

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Rod Stewart

Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE (born 10 January 1945) is a British singer-songwriter, born and raised in North London, England, and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry. With his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart came to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s with The Jeff Beck Group and then Faces. He launched his solo career in 1969 with his debut album An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (US: The Rod Stewart Album). His work with The Jeff Beck Group and Faces influenced heavy metal genres. more »

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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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