For Reverend Black see The Rockin' Vickers

The Rockin' Vickers

The Rockin' Vickers were a 1960s English rock and roll band from Blackpool. They were originally called Rev Black and The Rockin' Vicars, then abbreviated to The Rockin' Vicars, but in order to have a chance to get more gigs or even a record contract, they changed their name to "Rockin' Vickers"...

"Reverend Black Grape" is a song which was released in May 1995 by UK band Black Grape

Black Grape

Black Grape were a 1990s rock band from England, featuring former members of Happy Mondays. The group's music was funky and eclectic, using varied instrumentation and samples.-History:...

. It was the first single to be taken from their debut album It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah

It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah

It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah is the first album by British band Black Grape. It was released in 1995. The album was seen as something of a triumphant comeback for both Shaun Ryder and Bez...

and peaked at #9 in the UK chart.

The song was co-produced by Danny Saber

Danny Saber

Danny Saber is a Los Angeles, California musician, audio engineer, record producer, and remixer. A former member of Black Grape and Agent Provocateur, Saber plays guitar, bass, organ, and keyboards, and is also a prominent Los Angeles DJ....

 and Stephen Lironi. It was written by Shaun Ryder

Shaun Ryder

Shaun William Ryder, aka X, is an English musician, occasional newspaper columnist, actor, author, singer-songwriter and television personality, best known as lead singer for Happy Mondays and Black Grape – and more recently as the runner-up of the 2010 version of the British TV Show I'm a...

 and released by Radioactive Records

Radioactive Records

Radioactive Records was an American record label. It was formed as a joint venture between talent manager Gary Kurfirst and MCA Records, and it is now out of business....

.

Controversy

The song caused mild controversy when released because of its assertion that the Catholic Church was in league with the Nazis: "Oh Pope he got the Nazis, To clean up their messes, In exchange for gold and paintings, he gave them new addresses". In addition, the song contains a brief audio clip of Adolf Hitler at one of his rallies. The lyrics also borrow from the traditional hymn O come all ye faithful.

Track listing

CD Single

1. "Reverend Black Grape" - 5:13
2. "Reverend Black Grape (Dub Collar Mix)" - 5:45
3. "Reverend Black Grape (The Dark Side Mix)" - 4:46

CD Maxi Single

1. "Reverend Black Grape" - 5:13
2. "Straight Out Of Trumpton (Basement Tapes)" - 4:06
3. "Reverend Black Grape (The Dark Side Mix)" - 4:46