"Legal Man" is a song by Scottish indie pop band Belle and Sebastian, released as their first stand-alone single. The track features Isobel Campbell, Sarah Martin, and Rozanne Suarez (credited as the Maisonettes) on vocals and Snow Patrol drummer Jonny Quinn on congas. The cover artwork—designed by Andrew Symington—features band members Stevie Jackson and Campbell along with Adrienne Payne and Suarez. Two B-sides were released with the single: "Judy Is a Dick Slap" (an instrumental) and "Winter Wooskie", which was the last time bass player Stuart David sang lead vocals before departing the band in 2000.
"Legal Man" was released in May 2000, first in the United States on 16 May, then in the United Kingdom six days later. It reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart, number 10 in Norway, number 46 in Sweden, and number 50 in Ireland. In Canada, the track reached number four on Nielsen SoundScan's Canadian Singles Chart. It is the band's highest-selling single in the United States. The song's music video was directed by Campbell.
B-sides "Judy Is a Dick Slap" is the first instrumental released by the band while "Winter Wooskie" is the third and final song featuring lead vocals from former bass player Stuart David, who left the band in 2000. All three tracks from the single were later collected on the Push Barman to Open Old Wounds compilation.
Track listings All songs were written by Belle and Sebastian.
CD single "Legal Man" "Judy Is a Dick Slap" "Winter Wooskie"
7-inch single A. "Legal Man" B. "Winter Wooskie"
12-inch single A. "Legal Man" B. "Judy Is a Dick Slap"
Credits and personnel Credits are adapted from the UK 7-inch single sleeve and disc notes.
Studio Recorded at CaVa Studios (Glasgow, Scotland)
Personnel
Belle and Sebastian – writing, production The Maisonettes – vocals Rozanne Suarez – vocals, cover star Jonny Quinn – congas Tony Doogan – production, recording Willie Deans – recording assistant
Ian Grier – recording assistant Stevie Jackson – cover star Isobel Campbell – cover star Adrienne Payne – cover star Katrina House – back cover star Andrew Symington – cover design
Charts +Weekly chart performance for "Legal Man"Chart (2000)PeakpositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan)4Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)48
Release history +Release dates and formats for "Legal Man"RegionDateFormatLabelIDUnited States16 May 2000CDMatadorOLE 448-27-inch vinylOLE 448-712-inch vinylOLE 448-1United Kingdom22 May 2000CDJeepsterJPRCDS 0187-inch vinylJPR7 01812-inch vinylJPR12 018Australia10 July 2000CDSpunkURA023Japan9 August 2000JeepsterVJCP-61041Brazil2000T050/424-2Canada12-inch vinylMatadorOLE 448-1
References
External links "Legal Man" at belleandsebastian.com "Legal Man" at jeepster.co.uk