What makes Interesting Drug by Morrissey notable?

The song achieved commercial success, reaching number 14 on the UK Singles Chart, further cementing Morrissey's status as a significant voice in alternative music. It also generated discussions around its lyrical content, leading to some controversy regarding its themes and Morrissey's public persona. By the time 'Interesting Drug' was released on April 17, 1989, Morrissey had already established himself as a solo artist following the breakup of The Smiths. This single marked his first release after his debut album 'Viva Hate', which had solidified his transition from band frontman to a prominent solo figure in alternative rock.

How many songs are on Interesting Drug?

Interesting Drug has 3 tracks, running approximately 10 minutes.

Interesting Drug

Morrissey · 1989

10 min · 3 tracks · alternative rock

A blend of jangly guitars and introspective lyrics, exploring themes of alienation with a distinctly British wit.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Interesting Drug — The title track encapsulates Morrissey's signature blend of sharp lyrics and melodic hooks, addressing themes of desire and disillusionment.
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Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference — This track showcases Morrissey's ability to convey deep emotional truths through deceptively simple narratives, highlighting his unique lyrical style.
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Sweet and Tender Hooligan (live) — The live version adds an energetic dimension to this beloved track, illustrating Morrissey's charismatic stage presence and connection with audiences.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100

Foothills

Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The single combines catchy melodies with introspective lyrics, showcasing Morrissey's unique voice in alternative rock.

What we noticed

The title track features a prominent jangly guitar riff that drives the melody, while Morrissey's vocal delivery is both sardonic and introspective.
The second track introduces a more subdued arrangement with softer instrumentation, contrasting the upbeat energy of the first.
The live track at the end showcases Morrissey's performance style, emphasizing his charisma and connection with the audience.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Interesting Drug 3:30
2 Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference 2:53
3 Sweet and Tender Hooligan (live) 3:57

What to play next

Listen next

Bona Drag

1990

Go back to

Viva Hate

1988

Full Morrissey discography Where to start with Morrissey Artists like Morrissey

alternative rock indie pop indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata