What makes We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful by Morrissey notable?

The title track gained notable attention for its satirical commentary on jealousy and success within the music industry, reflecting Morrissey's own experiences with fame. The EP solidified Morrissey's position as a prominent figure in alternative rock while influencing subsequent artists with its blend of wit and melancholy. Released in 1992, We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful came shortly after Morrissey's successful debut solo album, Viva Hate. This EP marked a transitional phase as he navigated the complexities of fame and artistic identity following his departure from The Smiths.

Who is We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful for?

We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful works well if you're into short bursts of sardonic wit, energetic tracks for quick listens and live performances with raw charm.

How many songs are on We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful?

We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful has 5 tracks, running approximately 14 minutes.

We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful

Morrissey · 1992

14 min · 5 tracks · alternative rock

Bitingly sardonic melodies intertwine with Morrissey's distinct vocal style, capturing the essence of 90s indie rock angst.

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Top tracks — play these first

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We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of envy and disillusionment with the music scene, delivered through sharp lyrics and a catchy melody.
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Suedehead (live) — The live rendition brings an invigorating energy that highlights Morrissey’s charismatic performance style while revisiting one of his classic hits.
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I've Changed My Plea to Guilty (live) — This live track showcases Morrissey's introspective lyricism and emotional delivery, making it a standout moment in his catalog.

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 title track's biting commentary stands out, while live tracks provide context but dilute overall impact.

What we noticed

The live tracks showcase Morrissey's vocal delivery and stage presence, but lack the studio polish of the lead single.
The EP maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace throughout, with the title track serving as a focal point for its thematic exploration.

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

short bursts of sardonic wit
energetic tracks for quick listens
live performances with raw charm
playful irreverence in every song

Maybe skip if you

prefer longer immersive albums
seeking deep emotional complexity

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1992, We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful came shortly after Morrissey's successful debut solo album, Viva Hate. This EP marked a transitional phase as he navigated the complexities of fame and artistic identity following his departure from The Smiths.
Stylistic neighbors: The Smiths· Pulp· Echo & the Bunnymen