Himself (Gilbert O'Sullivan album)

Himself
Studio album by Gilbert O'Sullivan
Released	August 1971[1]
Studio	Audio International Studios, London
Genre	Pop
Length	43:02
Label	MAM
Producer	Gordon Mills
Gilbert O'Sullivan chronology
Himself (1971) Back to Front (1972)
Singles from Himself
"Nothing Rhymed" Released: October 1970

Himself is the debut album by Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan, released in the United Kingdom by MAM Records in August 1971, following the top 10 success of its single "Nothing Rhymed". O'Sullivan originally intended the album to feature only his voice and piano playing, until his manager and the album's producer Gordon Mills persuaded him to use full instrumentation and arrangements by Johnnie Spence. Mills also aided O'Sullivan with his songwriting, which incorporates an observational style and word play, the usage of the latter being influenced by Spike Milligan.

Upon release, Himself was a commercial success in the UK, reaching number 5 on the UK Albums Chart. It received a warm reception from critics, and O'Sullivan became noted for his satirical lyrics and eye-catching, atypical dress style, which included a cloth cap and short trousers. The album was released with a revised track list in the United States in 1972, this time boasting the hit single "Alone Again (Naturally)". It reached number 9 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart. A remastered edition of the original version of Himself was released by the Salvo label in 2011 as part of the Gilbert O'Sullivan - A Singer & His Songs collection.