The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get

"The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get"
Single by Morrissey
from the album Vauxhall and I
Released	28 February 1994
Format	7", 12", CD, cassette
Genre	Indie pop
Length	3:43
Label	Parlophone (UK)
Writer(s)	Morrissey, Boz Boorer
Producer(s)	Steve Lillywhite
Morrissey singles chronology
"Tomorrow" (1992) "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get" (1994) "Hold on to Your Friends" (1994)

"The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get" is a song by Morrissey, co-written by Boz Boorer released as a single in February 1994. It was taken from the then-unreleased Vauxhall and I album and was the first Morrissey single to be produced by Steve Lillywhite.

The US and UK single releases each contained slightly different mixes of the B-side "I'd Love To." Both mixes use the same take of the song, but the US version is three seconds shorter and includes additional synthesized sound effects (a percussive, glassy sound) throughout the song. The same synth effects are barely audible in the UK mix and in sections are completely absent.^[1][2]

The UK version of "I'd Love To" also appeared on the 1997 reissue of Viva Hate, despite not being a contemporaneous recording from those sessions. The US version of "I'd Love To" later appeared on the 1998 compilation My Early Burglary Years.

Reaching number 8 in the UK Singles Chart, the single became Morrissey's first top ten hit since "Interesting Drug" in 1989. It is also Morrissey's only charting single in the United States Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 46, as well as becoming a number 1 Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart hit.

In Australia, the single peaked at number 85 on the ARIA singles chart, and spent 4 weeks in the top 100.^[3]

Track listings

7" vinyl and cassette

1. "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get"
2. "Used to Be a Sweet Boy"

12" vinyl and CD (UK)

1. "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get"
2. "Used to Be a Sweet Boy"
3. "I'd Love To" (UK version)

CD (USA)

1. "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get"
2. "Used to Be a Sweet Boy"
3. "I'd Love To" (USA version)

Reviews

NME gave the single a bad review, describing the song as a "formless neutered ramble" and that his "gleaming reputation tarnishes" with this release.^[4]

Ned Raggett of AllMusic said that initially the title track "semed [sic] a bit clumsy, with slightly repetitious lyrics and a bit of lazy feeling to it", but it was ultimately "another Morrissey classic, with good production from Steve Lillywhite and a low-key but confident performance from the band." B-side Used to Be a Sweet Boy was "more immediately affecting", and non-album track I'd Like To had a "mysterious, spacious band performance."^[5]

Musicians

• Morrissey - vocals
• Alain Whyte - guitar
• Boz Boorer - guitar
• Jonny Bridgwood - bass guitar
• Woodie Taylor - drums

Live performances

The song was performed live by Morrissey on his 1995, 1999–2000 and 2004 tours.

Covers

The song has been covered in live performances by Sara Watkins with a country swing feel. Her arrangement features fiddle, acoustic guitar, electric bass and drums.

The song was also covered by the English pop band Acacia in an "Asian underground" electronic dance-pop style, with the band releasing their version as a single in 1994.

See also

• Morrissey discography

References

1. ↑ Morrissey (1994). The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get (US version). Sire/Reprise. 
2. ↑ Morrissey (February 1994). The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get (UK version). Parlophone. 
3. ↑ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 08 May 1994". ARIA. Retrieved 2016-03-04. 
4. ↑ NME The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get Review
5. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-more-you-ignore-me-the-closer-i-get-mw0000114518