Mike d'Abo originally wrote “Handbags and Gladrags,” the song used as The Office's theme.
D'Abo wrote the song in 1967 while he was the lead singer of Manfred Mann. Its lyrics contrast fashionable material success with more lasting values; d'Abo described the song as advice to a young woman who thinks possessions prove she has arrived.
The Office used an arrangement by Big George, which is why the composer and the theme arranger are sometimes confused. The programme's opening used a short instrumental version, while vocal versions were used over the closing credits. Fin Muir supplied the vocals for those arrangements.
Rod Stewart did not write the song, although his 1969 recording made it widely recognizable. Chris Farlowe released the first version in 1967, and Stereophonics later had a successful recording in 2001. The Office theme therefore brought a much older composition to a new television audience.