Sheila Take a Bow
Encyclopedia
"Sheila Take a Bow" is a song by The Smiths
. It was released as a single in April 1987, reaching #10 in the UK Singles Chart
, their highest chart placing in their career.
It was one of the band's many "between album" singles (the last of four in a row), not having natural home on any of the studio albums. It was, however, featured on the Louder Than Bombs
compilation released later in the year.
The single's two b-sides, Peel Session versions of "Is It Really So Strange?" and "Sweet And Tender Hooligan" also featured on Louder Than Bombs.
A German CD was issued with the tracks from the UK 12" as well as "Panic" and the tracks from the UK 12" for previous single "Shoplifters of the World Unite
". The seven tracks on this CD make up the first seven tracks on Louder Than Bombs.
The brass band music at the beginning is sampled from the 1954 movie Hobson's Choice
The single's cover features actress Candy Darling
from the film Women in Revolt (1971). Candy Darling was a trans woman
and part of Andy Warhol
's entourage.
on 10 April 1987, and on Top of the Pops
on 23 April 1987 (though the studio version of the song was dubbed over the footage for this performance). As a solo artist, Morrissey has never performed this song live.
(This refers to Bernard Matthews
, a British poultry farmer.)
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
. It was released as a single in April 1987, reaching #10 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, their highest chart placing in their career.
It was one of the band's many "between album" singles (the last of four in a row), not having natural home on any of the studio albums. It was, however, featured on the Louder Than Bombs
Louder Than Bombs
Louder Than Bombs is a compilation album by the English rock band The Smiths. It was released as a double album in March 1987 by their American record company, Sire Records. Its highest chart position was number 63. Popular demand prompted their British record company, Rough Trade, to issue the...
compilation released later in the year.
The single's two b-sides, Peel Session versions of "Is It Really So Strange?" and "Sweet And Tender Hooligan" also featured on Louder Than Bombs.
A German CD was issued with the tracks from the UK 12" as well as "Panic" and the tracks from the UK 12" for previous single "Shoplifters of the World Unite
Shoplifters of the World Unite
"Shoplifters of the World Unite" is a song by The Smiths. It was released as a single in January 1987, reaching #12 in the UK Singles Chart. As was often the case with Smiths singles, it did not appear on an original studio album...
". The seven tracks on this CD make up the first seven tracks on Louder Than Bombs.
The brass band music at the beginning is sampled from the 1954 movie Hobson's Choice
The single's cover features actress Candy Darling
Candy Darling
Candy Darling was an American actress, best known as a Warhol Superstar. A male-to-female transsexual, she starred in Andy Warhol's films Flesh and Women in Revolt , and was a muse of the protopunk band The Velvet Underground.-Early life:Candy Darling was born James Lawrence Slattery in Forest...
from the film Women in Revolt (1971). Candy Darling was a trans woman
Trans woman
A trans woman is a male-to-female transsexual or transgender person and the term trans woman is preferred by some individuals over various medical terms. Other non-medical terms include t-girl, tg-girl and ts-girl...
and part of Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
's entourage.
Track listing
Live Performances
"Sheila Take a Bow" was only performed live twice by the Smiths, having the distinction of being the last song ever played by the group in front of an audience. It was performed live on the British music program The TubeThe Tube (TV series)
The Tube was an innovative United Kingdom pop/rock music television programme, which ran for five seasons, from 5 November 1982 until 1987...
on 10 April 1987, and on Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
on 23 April 1987 (though the studio version of the song was dubbed over the footage for this performance). As a solo artist, Morrissey has never performed this song live.
Etchings on vinyl
UK 7" and 12": COOK BERNARD MATTHEWS / none(This refers to Bernard Matthews
Bernard Matthews
Bernard Matthews Farms Ltd is a British farming and food products business, which specialises in the farming of turkeys. Founded by Bernard Matthews in 1950, as Bernard Matthews Foods Ltd, the company is headquartered in Norwich, Norfolk, England, and has 56 farms throughout Norfolk, Suffolk and...
, a British poultry farmer.)