Glory Box

Following the song's release as a single on 26 September 1994,{{cite magazine |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-09-24.pdf |title= Single Releases |magazine= Music Week |date= 24 September 1994 |page= 25 |access-date= 6 February 2025}} Portishead initially opposed its release, feeling that the track was too commercial compared to the rest of their work.{{Cite web |last=Eames |first=Tom |date=10 June 2022 |title=The Story of... 'Glory Box' by Portishead |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/news/chill/portishead-glory-box-lyrics-meaning-video/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Smooth Radio |language=en-GB}} Geoff Barrow remarked on the conflict with their record label, stating, "We had a row with the record company because we didn't want to release it because it felt too commercial." Despite their reservations, the single's success contributed to their financial stability, with Barrow adding, "['Glory Box' is] fine in a body of work, but not as a standalone track. We lost the argument really. But we bought houses!" Subsequently, the success of "Glory Box" not only impacted Beth Gibbons financially but also emotionally, as she commented on the challenges of conveying genuine emotion, stating that achieving success with the song sometimes made her feel more isolated.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Ben |date=11 December 1994 |title=Rock: The reluctant dbutante |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/rock-the-reluctant-dbutante-1387153.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420110752/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/rock-the-reluctant-dbutante-1387153.html |archive-date=20 April 2024 |access-date=23 October 2024 |website=The Independent}} She reflected on its success in an interview with the Independent: "Then it's sort of successful and you think you've communicated with people, but then you realize you haven't communicated with them at all—you've turned the whole thing into a product, so then you're even more lonely than when you started." She believes that "music is a spiritual thing and it should be treated that way," highlighting its deeper significance beyond commercial success.

"Glory Box" features a blend of trip hop, electronic, and jazz elements, incorporating a prominent sample from Isaac Hayes's "Ike’s Rap 2" alongside original production techniques.{{Cite web |last=Dawson |first=Madelyn |date=22 August 2024 |title=Move Over and Give Us Some Room: Portishead's Dummy at 30 |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/portishead/move-over-and-give-us-some-room-portisheads-dummy-at-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927052258/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/portishead/move-over-and-give-us-some-room-portisheads-dummy-at-30 |archive-date=27 September 2024 |access-date=23 October 2024 |website=Paste}} It is characterized by a slow, seductive rhythm, deep bassline, and ethereal instrumentation, including a distorted guitar line.

The lyrics explore themes of love and frustration, highlighted by the line, "Give me a reason to be a woman," which conveys a woman's plea for respect and understanding in her relationship. Gibbons has expressed concern over the misinterpretation of the song's themes, noting that it reflects feelings of misunderstanding and frustration with life. Gibbons discusses "Glory Box" as a song advocating for sexual equality, stating, "Move over and give us some room," which conveys the idea that men should provide reasons for positive engagement with women. She has emphasized that women are often taken for granted.p210, Portishead's Dummy, R J Wheston, Bloomsbury, 2011

In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said that "Glory Box" "is definitely one of the more gloriously slinky indie records released in ages".{{cite web|last=Masterton|first=James|title=Week Ending January 21st 1995|url=https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1995/week-ending-january-21st-1995|website=Chart Watch UK|date=15 January 1995|accessdate=16 September 2021|author-link=James Masterton}} A reviewer from Music & Media commented: "Put the violin of the late Papa John Creach on top of it, and you get the Jefferson Airplane for the '90s. Based on a sample from Isaac Hayes's Isaac Moods it's 'suspense dance'."{{cite magazine |first= |last= |title= New Releases: Singles |magazine= Music & Media |date= 21 January 1995 |page= 11 |access-date= 17 May 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-01-21.pdf}} Maria Jimenez from the magazine's Short Grooves wrote: "This bluesy, emotional and hypnotic number is set to a very mellow, minimalistic and spacious hip hop musical backdrop. Potent vocals reminiscent of Cowboy Junkies and intense guitar energy and dub bass amplify the power of 'Glory Box.'"{{cite magazine |first= Maria |last= Jimenez |title= Short Grooves |magazine= Music & Media |date= 8 October 1994 |page= 11 |access-date= 15 March 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-10-08.pdf}}

Andy Beevers from Music Week gave it four out of five, describing it as "another highly original and atmospheric song that is probably too downbeat and leftfield for daytime radioplay, but will still sell well".{{cite magazine |first= Andy |last= Beevers |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-09-24.pdf |title= Market Preview: Dance |magazine= Music Week |date= 24 September 1994 |page= 16 |access-date= 19 April 2021}} Andy Richardson from NME felt that "Glory Box" "makes your heart beat even slower and it's got a good groove."{{cite magazine|first=Andy|last=Richardson|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53360530545/|title=Singles|magazine=NME|date=7 January 1995|page=37|access-date=28 November 2023|author-link=Andy Richardson (writer)}} David Sinclair from The Times noted, "This is a strange, shimmering affair, which mixes a scratchy hip-hop rhythm track, descending bass line (a la Python Lee Jackson's "In a Broken Dream"), wailing blues guitar and the icily seductive vocals of Beth Gibbons into a highly addictive concoction."Sinclair, David (5 November 1994). "Pop Singles; Recordings". The Times.

The accompanying music video for "Glory Box" was directed by Alexander Hemming and released on 14 November.{{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-11-05.pdf |title= Promos in Production |magazine= Music Week |date= 5 November 1994 |page= 10 |access-date= 22 April 2021}} It is set in a 1950s jazz club where Beth Gibbons performs as a jazz singer. The narrative features various office workers, portrayed as separate couples, watching her performance as they attend the club. Sexual tensions begin to rise between them subsequently. The entire cast, apart from the band, appears in drag.

Slant Magazine listed the song at number 21 in their ranking of "The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s" in 2011, writing: "Second only to its flawless production, which includes a sample of Isaac Hayes's 'Ike’s Rap II', is Beth Gibbons's impeccable lyrics and vocal performance on 'Glory Box'. Her voice sounding like it’s coming out of an antique radio, she’s at once coquettish and despondent, like a lounge singer delivering her final torch song before slinking off to her dressing room to drown her sorrow in booze and heroin. Her voice blossoms with momentary optimism during the second verse ('A thousand flowers could bloom!') and, of course, during the song’s rousing chorus: 'Give me a reason to love you/Give me a reason to be a woman.' A post-feminist anthem from the hungry, seedy depths of lust."{{cite web |url= https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/best-singles-of-the-1990s/8/ |title= The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s |work= Slant Magazine |access-date= 3 May 2021 |date= 9 January 2011}}

• UK CD and 12-inch single; Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Glory Box|others=Portishead|year=1995|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=Go! Beat|id=GODCD 120, 857 767-2}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Glory Box|others=Portishead|year=1995|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Go! Beat|id=GODX 120, 857 767-1}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Glory Box|others=Portishead|year=1995|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Go! Beat, Polydor Records|id=8577672}}

1. "Glory Box" (edit)
2. "Toy Box"
3. "Scorn"
4. "Sheared Box"

• UK cassette single and European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Glory Box|others=Portishead|year=1995|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Go! Beat|id=GODMC 120, 857 766-4}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Glory Box|others=Portishead|year=1995|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Go! Beat|id=857 770-2}}

1. "Glory Box" (edit)
2. "Toy Box"

• US 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Glory Box|others=Portishead|year=1995|type=US 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Go! Beat, London Records, FFRR Records|id=422 850 127-1}}

:A1. "Glory Box" – 5:06

:A2. "Scorn" – 6:04

:A3. "Sheared Box" – 3:30

:B1. "Strangers" – 3:55

:B2. "Wandering Star" – 4:51

Portishead

• Beth Gibbons – vocals
• Geoff Barrow – programming
• Adrian Utley – guitar, Hammond organ

Samples

• Isaac Hayes – sample of "Ike's Rap II"

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{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Portishead|title=Glory Box|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|award=Platinum|type=single|source=radioscope|access-date=August 22, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Portishead|title=Glory Box|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|id=14246-406-1|access-date=26 June 2024}}

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{{Reflist}}

{{Portishead}}

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Category:1994 singles

Category:1994 songs

Category:Downtempo songs

Category:Go! Beat singles

Category:London Records singles

Category:Portishead (band) songs

Category:Songs about heartache

Category:Songs written by Isaac Hayes

Category:Songs written by Geoff Barrow

Category:Songs written by Beth Gibbons

Category:Songs written by Adrian Utley