Released July 1971 Genre Rock | Recorded March–April 1971 Length 3:48 | |
Label MCA Records (UK),
Decca Records (US),
MCA Records (US),
Demon Records (CD),
Angel Air (CD) Producer(s) Fritz Fryer,
Stackridge,
George Martin | ||
"Dora the Female Explorer" (not to be confused with the Nickelodeon children's series) is the first single by the English group Stackridge, released in 1971. The song also appeared on some versions of the group's debut album Stackridge the same year. It was released in the UK on MCA Records and in the US on Decca Records. The UK single also contained the non-album B-side, "Everyman." Though the record was not a big success, it did help the group to get the attention of many influential figures in the music business, such as John Peel of the BBC. This soon led to wider exposure through a few BBC Radio 1 performances.
The song is credited to all the members of the group and has a lively country-folk style arrangement. The music is derived from the traditional styles of Stackridge's homeland in England's West Country. Instruments on the recording include acoustic guitar, violin, harmonica, piano, tambourine, bass and drums.
Similar to other songs on the album, the song is about Dora, an imaginary character who "climbs all the mountains", "dive fathoms deep" and go on other adventures. Lyricists Andy Cresswell-Davis and James Warren hoped to complete a book for children based on characters from 6 of the album's songs, but the book project was never completed.