In It for the Money (1997)

In It for the Money is the second studio album by English alternative rock band Supergrass, released in 1997. NME called it "more fun than watching a wombat in a washing machine" and named it the 10th best album of the year. In 1998, Q readers voted it the 68th greatest album of all time, while in 2000 the same magazine placed it at number 57 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever.

Recording and conception

Only two songs were written before entering Sawmills Studio, so most of the tracks were penned during recording itself.

Recording was often disrupted by the drummer Danny Goffey going back to London unplanned to record with his and Pearl Lowe's band Lodger. He was told by management that this was unacceptable behaviour. This, along with Gaz Coombes and Goffey's bickering in the music press about the underlying meaning of lyrics to "Going Out", put strain on the recording process.

It is speculated that Parlophone, the record label Supergrass were on, offered the band a sum of money to decide on a final name for the album, because they were taking too long to deliberate. However, the band themselves claim that they never received any of this money in return. Other suggestions considered for the title of the album included Hold on to the Handrail and Children of the Monkey Basket (which is now the name of the band's self-run website).

"Richard III" and "Sun Hits the Sky" appear to end with snippets of other, unreleased songs, that play until fade out.

The guitar solo in "Sometimes I Make You Sad" was written during the recording of In It for the Money; it was recorded at half speed then sped up to achieve the mandolin-like sound. The only use of percussion in the song is a cymbal, the drum noises were instead simulated by members of the band making 'grunting' noises. These were then put on a loop.

Album artwork

The album cover is a photograph of the band busking during the filming of the video for their single "Cheapskate". The Japanese edition has, instead, an oil painting by Maff Burley, an old school friend of Danny Goffey. In it, the band is curled up in a circular window at the Old Sawmills at Fowey.

Reception

The album was critically acclaimed, and peaked at No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart, and sold 300,000 copies in the UK and over one million worldwide. "The fact that it has sold more worldwide than I Should Coco," said Gaz Coombes, "means we can sleep at night."

"In It for the Money is my favourite album of the year…" declared The Prodigy's Liam Howlett at the close of 1997. "It's quality music. 'Richard III' is a top punk tune – that's why I bought the album."

The album is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Personnel

Personnel adapted from In It for the Money CD booklet.

• Supergrass
• Gaz Coombes
• Danny Goffey
• Mick Quinn
• Additional musicians
• Rob Coombes

The Kick Horns – horns (1 & 7)

Hornography – horns (3 & 11)

Satin Singh – percussion (6 & 12)

Sam Williams – theremin (2)

• Production
• Supergrass – production, mixing

John Cornfield – production (all except 7), mixing (1–3, 5, 6, 8, 10–12)

Sam Williams – production (7), mixing (4, 7, 9)

• Artwork
• James Fry – cover photography
• Matthew Burley – inner photography
• Nick & Dom – video stills
• The Designers Republic – design & image manipulation