Interesting Drug
| "Interesting Drug" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Morrissey | ||||
| from the album Bona Drag (compilation) | ||||
| Released | 17 April 1989 | |||
| Format | 7", 12", CD, cassette | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock, indie pop | |||
| Length | 3:32 | |||
| Label | HMV (UK) | |||
| Morrissey singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
"Interesting Drug" was the fourth solo single released by Morrissey. The song was not featured on one of Morrissey's main studio albums, but can be found on the compilation album Bona Drag along with the B-side "Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference". It features Kirsty MacColl on backing vocals as well as his former colleagues in The Smiths, Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce and Craig Gannon. All three also appear on the B-sides. The artwork for the single features Morrissey photographed by Lawrence Watson. It reached number 9 in the UK, becoming Morrissey's last Top 10 single until 1994.
Track listings
7" vinyl
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Interesting Drug" | 3:32 |
| 2. | "Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference" | 2:54 |
12" one-sided etched vinyl (HMV 12POPS1621)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Interesting Drug" | 3:32 |
| 2. | "Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference" | 2:54 |
12" vinyl, compact disc and cassette
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Interesting Drug" | 3:32 |
| 2. | "Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference" | 2:54 |
| 3. | "Sweet and Tender Hooligan (live in Wolverhampton, 1988)" | 3:59 |
Etchings on vinyl
British 7" and 12": ESCAPE FROM VALIUM/RETURN TO VALIUM
British 12": "WHAT KIND OF MAN READS DENIM DELINQUENT?"/MOTOR CYCLE AU PAIR BOY
British promo 12": HOSSCAH! HOSSCAH!/none
The sayings that were etched onto the British 7" and 12" previously appeared on the single The Last of the Famous International Playboys.
Reviews
Edwin Pouncey in NME gave a somewhat mixed review, saying the song was a "finely crafted pop single", but also asked "just what [do] Morrissey's minions see in the man?"[2] Ned Raggett of Allmusic called the song "a vicious slam on the long-loathed by him Tory government and a sometimes slightly too breathless musical and singing rush."[1]
Musicians
- Morrissey: voice
- Kirsty MacColl: vocal
- Craig Gannon: guitar
- Neil Taylor: guitar
- Andy Rourke: bass guitar
- Stephen Street: keyboard
- Mike Joyce: drums
Live performances
The song was performed live by Morrissey at Wolverhampton on December 22, 1988. This song was also performed in 1991, 92 and three times in the autumn of 2007.
Release details
| Country | Record label | Format | Catalogue number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | HMV | 7" vinyl | POP1621 | |
| UK | HMV | 12" vinyl | 12POP1621 | |
| UK | HMV | 12" etched vinyl | 12POPS1621 | |
| UK | HMV | Compact disc | CDPOP1621 | |
| UK | HMV | Cassette | TCPOP1621 |
See also
References
- 1 2 Raggett, Ned. "Interesting Drug Review". Allmusic. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
- ↑ NME Interesting Drug Review