Viva Hate
Encyclopedia
Viva Hate is Morrissey
's debut solo album, released on 14 March 1988 by HMV Records. The album was considered a very strong foray into Morrissey's solo career, as he utilised his traditional lyrical style and retained the basic sound that The Smiths
had developed by the time they broke up. It was listed by Q
as one of the top 50 albums of 1988. The album was originally going to be called Education in Reverse; some LPs in Australia and New Zealand were released with the original title.
The album was released a mere six months after The Smiths' final album, Strangeways, Here We Come
. The title predicts the content as Morrissey's lyrics are sardonic and invective, while some of the tracks deal with the harshness of the breakup of The Smiths.
The album was produced by Stephen Street
and most of the arrangements were by Vini Reilly
of The Durutti Column
. Reilly's distinctive style is evident throughout the entire album, especially in tracks such as "Late Night, Maudlin Street
" and "Bengali in Platforms
". The record remains one of Morrissey's best known recordings and was certified Gold by the RIAA on 16 November 1993. Some of the tracks caused controversy such as the track "Margaret on the Guillotine", which described the death of prime minister Margaret Thatcher
as a "wonderful dream".
". This same track was released on a 7" single that was sold with the album in Japan.
, in celebration of their 100th anniversary, released a special edition of this album in the UK. It features different cover work, and a different booklet (it has a photograph of a billboard for Beethoven Was Deaf
and drops the lyrics), and features 8 bonus tracks — only one of which was contemporaneous with the album. "Hairdresser on Fire" does not appear on this version despite originally added to the North American version of the album as a bonus track. The bonus songs are:
In addition to receiving bonus tracks, the album was also remastered.
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
's debut solo album, released on 14 March 1988 by HMV Records. The album was considered a very strong foray into Morrissey's solo career, as he utilised his traditional lyrical style and retained the basic sound that The Smiths
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...
had developed by the time they broke up. It was listed by Q
Q (magazine)
Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology...
as one of the top 50 albums of 1988. The album was originally going to be called Education in Reverse; some LPs in Australia and New Zealand were released with the original title.
The album was released a mere six months after The Smiths' final album, Strangeways, Here We Come
Strangeways, Here We Come
-Band:* Morrissey – vocals, piano on "Death of a Disco Dancer"* Johnny Marr – guitar, keyboards, harmonica, autoharp , synthesized strings and saxophone arrangements* Andy Rourke – bass guitar* Mike Joyce – drums-Additional musicians:...
. The title predicts the content as Morrissey's lyrics are sardonic and invective, while some of the tracks deal with the harshness of the breakup of The Smiths.
The album was produced by Stephen Street
Stephen Street
Stephen Street is an English music producer best known for his work with The Smiths in the 1980s, as well as Blur and The Cranberries in the 1990s. Street also collaborated with Morrissey on some of his most popular work after The Smiths broke up, playing instruments and co-writing songs...
and most of the arrangements were by Vini Reilly
Vini Reilly
Vincent "Vini" Gerard Reilly is an English musician and leader of the post-punk group The Durutti Column.-Biography:...
of The Durutti Column
The Durutti Column
The Durutti Column are an English post-punk band formed in 1978 in Manchester, England. The band is an ongoing project of guitarist Vini Reilly who is often accompanied by drummer Bruce Mitchell. Other current members are Keir Stewart and Reilly's girlfriend Poppy Morgan...
. Reilly's distinctive style is evident throughout the entire album, especially in tracks such as "Late Night, Maudlin Street
Late Night, Maudlin Street
"Late Night, Maudlin Street" is a song performed by Morrissey on his album Viva Hate. It was written by Morrissey and his producer Stephen Street....
" and "Bengali in Platforms
Bengali in Platforms
"Bengali in Platforms" is a Morrissey song from his debut album Viva Hate. It refers to a Bengali boy who is living in the UK, and trying, but failing, to fit in...
". The record remains one of Morrissey's best known recordings and was certified Gold by the RIAA on 16 November 1993. Some of the tracks caused controversy such as the track "Margaret on the Guillotine", which described the death of prime minister Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
as a "wonderful dream".
Track listing
All tracks by Morrissey and Stephen Street- "Alsatian Cousin" – 3:13
- "Little Man, What Now?Little Man, What Now? (song)"Little Man, What Now?" is a song performed by Morrissey on his album Viva Hate. It was written by Morrissey and his producer Stephen Street....
" – 1:48 - "Everyday Is Like SundayEveryday Is Like Sunday"Everyday Is Like Sunday" is the third track of Morrissey's debut solo album, Viva Hate, and the second single to be released by the artist. It made number nine in the UK Singles Chart and remains one of his best-known songs...
" – 3:32 - "Bengali in PlatformsBengali in Platforms"Bengali in Platforms" is a Morrissey song from his debut album Viva Hate. It refers to a Bengali boy who is living in the UK, and trying, but failing, to fit in...
" – 3:55 - "Angel, Angel, Down We Go TogetherAngel, Angel Down We Go Together"Angel, Angel Down We Go Together" is a song performed by Morrissey on his album Viva Hate. It was written by Morrissey and his producer Stephen Street....
" – 1:40 - "Late Night, Maudlin StreetLate Night, Maudlin Street"Late Night, Maudlin Street" is a song performed by Morrissey on his album Viva Hate. It was written by Morrissey and his producer Stephen Street....
" – 7:40 - "SuedeheadSuedehead"Suedehead" was the debut solo single from Morrissey, released in February 1988.The single charted higher than any of the singles released by his former band The Smiths, reaching number five in the UK Singles Chart. It charted at #30 in The Netherlands and at #8 in New Zealand...
" – 3:56 - "Break Up the FamilyBreak Up the Family"Break Up the Family" is a song performed by Morrissey on his album Viva Hate. It was written by Morrissey and his producer Stephen Street....
" – 3:55 - "Hairdresser on FireHairdresser on Fire"Hairdresser on Fire" is a song by Morrissey, that originally featured as a B-side on his single "Suedehead" as well as being a bonus track on the American release of his solo debut Viva Hate. It was later featured on the compilation album Bona Drag as well.The song is based around Morrissey's...
" – 3:51 (US bonus track) - "The Ordinary BoysThe Ordinary Boys (song)"The Ordinary Boys" is a song performed by Morrissey on his album Viva Hate. It was written by Morrissey and his producer Stephen Street....
" – 3:10 - "I Don't Mind If You Forget Me" – 3:17
- "Dial-a-Cliché" – 2:28
- "Margaret on the Guillotine" – 3:42
International editions
The American release included the track "Hairdresser on Fire" (3:51) which had been released, in the UK as a B-side to "SuedeheadSuedehead
"Suedehead" was the debut solo single from Morrissey, released in February 1988.The single charted higher than any of the singles released by his former band The Smiths, reaching number five in the UK Singles Chart. It charted at #30 in The Netherlands and at #8 in New Zealand...
". This same track was released on a 7" single that was sold with the album in Japan.
Special edition
In 1997, EMIEMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, in celebration of their 100th anniversary, released a special edition of this album in the UK. It features different cover work, and a different booklet (it has a photograph of a billboard for Beethoven Was Deaf
Beethoven Was Deaf
Beethoven Was Deaf is a live album by Morrissey, recorded around the time of the tour for Your Arsenal. The songs were recorded live at Paris Zenith on 22 December 1992, except for the titles followed by a *, which were recorded live in London 2 days before. The sleeve notes incorrectly state that...
and drops the lyrics), and features 8 bonus tracks — only one of which was contemporaneous with the album. "Hairdresser on Fire" does not appear on this version despite originally added to the North American version of the album as a bonus track. The bonus songs are:
- "Let the Right One Slip In" – 2:28
- "Pashernate Love" – 2:16
- "At Amber" – 2:43
- "Disappointed" (live) – 3:07
- "Girl Least Likely To" – 4:51
- "I'd Love To" – 4:49
- "Michael's Bones" – 3:10
- "I've Changed My Plea to Guilty" – 3:42
In addition to receiving bonus tracks, the album was also remastered.
Personnel
- MorrisseyMorrisseySteven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
— vocals, lyricist, sleeve art - Stephen StreetStephen StreetStephen Street is an English music producer best known for his work with The Smiths in the 1980s, as well as Blur and The Cranberries in the 1990s. Street also collaborated with Morrissey on some of his most popular work after The Smiths broke up, playing instruments and co-writing songs...
— bass, guitar, songwriter, producer - Vini ReillyVini ReillyVincent "Vini" Gerard Reilly is an English musician and leader of the post-punk group The Durutti Column.-Biography:...
— guitar, keyboards, songwriter - Andrew Paresi — drums
- Alan WinstanleyAlan WinstanleyAlan Kenneth Winstanley is a British record producer active from the mid-1970s onwards. He usually works with Clive Langer.-Notable studio albums produced by Alan Winstanley and Clive Langer:* One Step Beyond... – Madness...
— producer - Richard Koster — violin
- Fenella Barton — violin
- Rachel Maguire — cello
- Mark Davies — cello
- Robert Woolhard — cello
- John Metcalf — viola
- Steve Williams — assistant engineer
- Anton CorbijnAnton CorbijnAnton Corbijn is a Dutch photographer, music video and film director. He is the creative director behind the visual output of Depeche Mode and U2, having handled the principal promotion and sleeve photography for both for more than a decade...
— photography - Linder Sterling — photography
- Eamon Macabe — photography
- Jo Slee — art coordinator
- Caryn Gough — layout assistance