Written by:
Mark E Smith, Brix Smith
Initial release:
Cruisers Creek, Beggars Banquet,Beg150 7"; Beg150T 12"
Date:
11 October 1985
Subsequent releases:
This Natin's Saving Grace, Beggars Banquet, BEGA67 CD (later pressings: BBL67 CD) (Track not on LP or cassette versions and the CD track is an edited version of the single); 23 September 1985
458489 A Sides, Beggar Banquet, BEGA111 LP; BEGC111 Cassette; BEGA111 CD; December 1990 (edited version used)
A History of Punk Volume 2, Virgin OVD487 CD, 1997 (various artists collection)
Gimme Indie Rock Vol 1, K-Tel; 21 March 2000 (various artists collection)
50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong - 39 Golden Greats, Sanctuary SMEDD017; 31 May 2004 (edited version used)
Radio Sessions:
The Peel Sessions, Strange Fruit, SFRSCD048 CD; 25 January 1999 (recorded 14 May 1985, broadcast 3 June 1985)
The Complete Peel Sessions 1978 - 2004, Castle/Sanctuary, CMXBX982 CD; 25 April 2005
DVD/Video Release:
VHS8489; Beggars Banquet BB010
Group on initial recording:
Mark E Smith - vocals; Brix Smith - guitar, vocals: Craig Scanlon - guitar; Steve Hanley - bass; Simon Rogers - bass, guitar, keyboards; Karl Burns - drums
First played live:
7 March 1985 London
Last played live:
8 November 1987 Salford
Number of known performances:
45
Commentary:
The song was played at the opening Fall gig of 1985 and at the last one of 1987, following which it has never featured in a Fall performance again.
There was a promotional video made to accompany the single, directed by Cerith Wyn Evans. It starred Leigh Bowery dressed, according to MES (quoted in TBLY no 3, February 1995) "like a clerk on acide, like he was from some alternative world."
The song reached third place in John Peel's Festive 50 of 1985.
Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1DaNWuMKNQ (live on The Tube, November 1985)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HIMlIpxJRM (promo accompanying single)