Stay Beautiful
Encyclopedia
"Stay Beautiful" was released by the Welsh
rock
band Manic Street Preachers
on July 29, 1991 and was the first single to be released from the debut album Generation Terrorists
.
All formats included "R.P. McMurphy" with CD and 12" adding "Soul Contamination". The title of "R.P. McMurphy" is based on the protagonist of Ken Kesey's 1962 novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
(which was subsequently made into a film
). The single only just crept into the UK
charts, reaching number forty on August 10, 1991. It was re-issued six years later but failed again to make the top 40, reaching number 52 on September 13, 1997.
The title track was previously entitled Generation Terrorists and originally featured the lyrics "Why don't you just fuck off" in the chorus, which was cut to just "Why don't you just..." (gap) in this version. It has since become the fans' base custom to shout the original lyric out loud when the band still occasionally perform the song live.
The video contains Richey's
right eye being splashed with paint, and a somewhat amusing space octopus at the end; references to themes and events in Alan Moore
's Watchmen
.
The title of 'Stay Beautiful' was used by Renault
for a television
advertisement for a car
and there is also a bar/club night in London named "Stay Beautiful" in reference to the song. During his solo tour, Manic's bassist Nicky Wire performed there.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in 1986. They are James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Richey Edwards and Sean Moore. The band are part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s...
on July 29, 1991 and was the first single to be released from the debut album Generation Terrorists
Generation Terrorists
- Personnel :Manic Street Preachers*James Dean Bradfield – lead vocals, guitar*Richey Edwards – guitar*Sean Moore – drums, percussion, backing vocals*Nicky Wire – bass, piano on Little Baby NothingAdditional personnel...
.
All formats included "R.P. McMurphy" with CD and 12" adding "Soul Contamination". The title of "R.P. McMurphy" is based on the protagonist of Ken Kesey's 1962 novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (novel)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a novel written by Ken Kesey. Set in an Oregon asylum, the narrative serves as a study of the institutional process and the human mind, as well as a critique of Behaviorism and a celebration of humanistic principles. Written in 1959, the novel was adapted into a...
(which was subsequently made into a film
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Miloš Forman and based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey....
). The single only just crept into the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
charts, reaching number forty on August 10, 1991. It was re-issued six years later but failed again to make the top 40, reaching number 52 on September 13, 1997.
The title track was previously entitled Generation Terrorists and originally featured the lyrics "Why don't you just fuck off" in the chorus, which was cut to just "Why don't you just..." (gap) in this version. It has since become the fans' base custom to shout the original lyric out loud when the band still occasionally perform the song live.
The video contains Richey's
Richey James Edwards
Richard James Edwards was a Welsh musician who was rhythm guitarist and lyricist of the alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers. He was known for his politicized and intellectual songwriting which, combined with an enigmatic and eloquent character, has assured him cult status...
right eye being splashed with paint, and a somewhat amusing space octopus at the end; references to themes and events in Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
's Watchmen
Watchmen
Watchmen is a twelve-issue comic book limited series created by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colourist John Higgins. The series was published by DC Comics during 1986 and 1987, and has been subsequently reprinted in collected form...
.
The title of 'Stay Beautiful' was used by Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
for a television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
advertisement for a car
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
and there is also a bar/club night in London named "Stay Beautiful" in reference to the song. During his solo tour, Manic's bassist Nicky Wire performed there.
7"
- "Stay Beautiful"
- "R.P. McMurphy"