Bona Drag

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Bona Drag
Morrissey-Bona Drag.jpg
Cover art for the original 1990 CD release
Compilation album by
Released15 October 1990
Recorded1987–1989
Genre Alternative rock
Length49:45
Label HMV
Major Minor (reissue)
Producer Stephen Street; Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley
Morrissey chronology
Viva Hate
(1988)
Bona Drag
(1990)
Kill Uncle
(1991)
Singles from Bona Drag
  1. "Piccadilly Palare"
    Released: 9 October 1990
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [2]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [3]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
NME 8/10 [5]
Pitchfork 9.8/10 [6]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
The Village Voice B+ [10]

Bona Drag is a compilation album by Morrissey released on 15 October 1990. The album features an array of Morrissey's most popular songs from his early solo career, most of which had not been released on any previous album. The album name meaning nice outfits is an example of the subculture slang Polari explored further on the album's first track "Piccadilly Palare". The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on 6 December 2000. In 2010, the album was remastered and expanded to include six bonus tracks.

Contents

Background

After releasing Viva Hate in March 1988, Morrissey modified his method of releasing music. Instead of choosing to produce an immediate follow-up album, he decided to release a string of independent singles in the hopes of achieving success in that market. Morrissey initially planned to release a second album after releasing a few holdover singles.

As such, he released "The Last of the Famous International Playboys", "Interesting Drug", and "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" over the course of 1989. The first two of these became top ten hits. However, by the end of 1989 it became apparent that he would not be able to put out an album of new material soon enough.

Morrissey decided to scrap the idea of a full-length LP and release a compilation of singles and B-sides instead. Thus, the Bona Drag project was born. "November Spawned a Monster" was released in May 1990 to modest success; the album and the single "Piccadilly Palare" followed, both released on the same day that October.

Composition

Bona Drag features all of Morrissey's solo singles up to that point, two of which ("Suedehead" and "Everyday Is Like Sunday") were taken from his first solo album Viva Hate , while the others were making their first ever appearance on an album. Four of these singles were Top Ten hits. The album also includes several B-sides, none of which had appeared on an album before.

The album is also significant for including the first tracks by Morrissey to chart in the United States. "Piccadilly Palare" and "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" both reached number 2 on the Modern Rock chart. "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" went to number 3, "November Spawned a Monster", number 6, and "Interesting Drug", number 11. Bona Drag launched Morrissey's career in the US, and in many ways it marked the turning point after which he became less popular in the UK but achieved increasing success in America.

The album sleeve is taken from Morrissey's "November Spawned a Monster" promotion video. Morrissey's jacket colour was altered from black to red.

20th anniversary reissue

In October 2010, the album was reissued on the resurrected Major Minor label, with six officially unreleased studio recordings. The artwork was edited and inner artwork updated with previously unseen photos chosen by Morrissey. [11] It entered the UK charts at number 67. [12] The reissue notably included several edits, including removing a verse from 'Ouija Board Ouija Board' and restoring a previously cut verse to 'Piccadilly Palare'.

Track listing

All songs by Morrissey and Street, except where noted.

LP

Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)A-side/B-sideLength
1."Piccadilly Palare"Morrissey, ArmstrongSingle A-side3:28
2."Interesting Drug" Single A-side3:27
3."November Spawned a Monster"Morrissey, LangerSingle A-side5:28
4."Will Never Marry" Edited version of B-side of "Everyday Is Like Sunday"2:22
5."Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference" B-side of "Interesting Drug"2:51
6."The Last of the Famous International Playboys" Single A-side3:40
7."Ouija Board, Ouija Board" Single A-side4:25
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)A-side/B-sideLength
1."Hairdresser on Fire" B-side of "Suedehead"3:49
2."Everyday Is Like Sunday" Single A-side3:34
3."He Knows I'd Love to See Him"Morrissey, ArmstrongB-side of "November Spawned a Monster"3:08
4."Yes, I Am Blind"Morrissey, RourkeB-side of "Ouija Board, Ouija Board"3:44
5."Lucky Lisp" B-side of "The Last of the Famous International Playboys"2:51
6."Suedehead" Single A-side3:54
7."Disappointed" B-side of "Everyday is Like Sunday"3:06

2010 re-release

The 2010 re-release features the following additional tracks:

The following changes have been made to the original album:

Personnel

Guest musicians

Production

Charts

Chart performance for Bona Drag
Chart (1990)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [13] 57
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [14] 40
UK Albums (OCC) [15] 9
US Billboard 200 [16] 59

Certifications and sales

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [17] Silver60,000^
United States (RIAA) [18] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

Stephen Brian Street is an English music producer best known for his work with the Smiths, the Cranberries and Blur. Street collaborated with Morrissey on his debut album Viva Hate following the split of the Smiths.

<i>Viva Hate</i> 1988 studio album by Morrissey

Viva Hate is the debut solo studio album by English singer Morrissey. It was released on 14 March 1988 by HMV, six months after the final studio album by the Smiths, Strangeways, Here We Come (1987).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Rourke</span> English musician (1964–2023)

Andrew Michael Rourke was an English musician, best known as the bassist of the 1980s indie rock band The Smiths. He was known for his melodic and funk inspired approach to bass playing.

<i>Suedehead: The Best of Morrissey</i> 1997 greatest hits album by Morrissey

Suedehead: The Best of Morrissey is a compilation album by English singer Morrissey, released on 8 September 1997. It contains material released during Morrissey's EMI period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morrissey discography</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suedehead</span> 1988 single by Morrissey

"Suedehead" is a 1988 single by English singer Morrissey, released on 15 February 1988. Co-written by Morrissey and former Smiths producer Stephen Street, the song was Morrissey's first solo release after the Smiths break-up. Morrissey was inspired lyrically by the suedehead subculture, recalling an individual from his teenage years in the context of the movement. Street, who had originally sought to contribute his musical ideas to Morrissey to use for Smiths B-sides, also contributed bass guitar, while Vini Reilly and Andrew Paresi rounded out his new solo band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everyday Is Like Sunday</span> 1988 single by Morrissey

"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. Co-written by Morrissey and former Smiths producer Stephen Street, the song was Morrissey's second release after the Smiths break-up. Morrissey was inspired lyrically by Nevil Shute's On the Beach to lament the drudgery of a seaside town. Street, who had originally sought to contribute his musical ideas to Morrissey to use for Smiths B-sides, also contributed bass guitar, which he contends was inspired by Echo & the Bunnymen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Last of the Famous International Playboys</span> 1989 single by Morrissey

"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" is a song by British solo artist Morrissey. Co-written by Morrissey and former Smiths producer Stephen Street, the song was Morrissey's third release after the Smiths break-up. Morrissey was inspired lyrically by the East End gangster brothers the Kray Twins, whom he believed to be an example of the media glamourizing violent criminals. Street took influence from the Fall for the song's music, with the intro also resembling that of "The Man Who Sold the World" by David Bowie. The single was the first Morrissey solo single to feature his former Smiths bandmates Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce, and Craig Gannon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interesting Drug</span> 1989 single by Morrissey

"Interesting Drug" is a song by English singer-songwriter Morrissey, released as a non-album single on 17 April 1989. Co-written by Morrissey and former Smiths producer Stephen Street, the song was Morrissey's fourth release after the Smiths break-up. Morrissey was inspired lyrically by the drug culture in the English lower class, which he felt was being clamped down on by the power-hungry Thatcher government. These political themes were further explored in its music video. The single was the second and final Morrissey solo single to feature his former Smiths bandmates Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce, and Craig Gannon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">November Spawned a Monster</span> 1990 single by Morrissey

"November Spawned a Monster" is a song by the English singer Morrissey, released as a single in April 1990 by HMV. It was written by Morrissey and Clive Langer and features one of Morrissey's former colleagues from the Smiths, Andy Rourke on bass guitar. The single reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. It, along with its B-side "He Knows I'd Love to See Him", appears on his compilation album Bona Drag (1990).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ouija Board, Ouija Board</span> 1989 single by Morrissey

"Ouija Board, Ouija Board" is a song by English singer-songwriter Morrissey, released as a single in November 1989. The track appears along with its B-side "Yes, I Am Blind" on the compilation album Bona Drag. A shorter edit, omitting a verse, appeared on the 2010 reissue of Bona Drag. The single was poorly received by the music press and the public; its highest position on the UK Singles Chart was No. 18, making it the first solo Morrissey single not to reach the top 10. "Yes, I Am Blind" was composed by Morrissey's ex-Smiths partner Andy Rourke, and the picture on the sleeve was taken by Anton Corbijn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piccadilly Palare</span> 1990 single by Morrissey

"Piccadilly Palare" is a song by the English singer Morrissey, released as a single in October 1990 by HMV. The song features one of Morrissey's former colleagues from the Smiths, Andy Rourke on bass guitar, marking the last time any former member of the Smiths would collaborate with Morrissey. Backing vocals were provided by Suggs, lead vocalist of the ska and pop band Madness. "Piccadilly Palare" reached number 18 on the UK Singles Chart and number five in Ireland.

<i>Hulmerist</i> 1990 video by Morrissey

Hulmerist is a VHS and DVD release that includes seven promotional films for songs by Morrissey, released initially on VHS, in 1990, and then on DVD in 2004. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on 18 January 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful</span> 1992 single by Morrissey

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"Hairdresser on Fire" is a song by Morrissey, first released as a B-side to his debut solo single "Suedehead". Co-written by Morrissey and producer Stephen Street, the song features lyrics expressing Morrissey's frustration with being unable to see his hairdresser.

<i>Very Best of Morrissey</i> 2011 compilation album by Morrissey

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Tim Broad was a British film director, best known for his music videos for the singer Morrissey.

References

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  2. Kot, Greg (15 November 1990). "Morrissey: Bona Drag (Sire/Reprise)". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  3. Arnold, Gina (23 November 1990). "Bona Drag". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  4. Willman, Chris (25 November 1990). "Morrissey: 'Bona Drag' Reprise". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  5. Maconie, Stuart (20 October 1990). "Interesting Drag". NME . p. 41.
  6. Plagenhoef, Scott (15 October 2010). "Morrissey: Bona Drag[20th Anniversary Edition]". Pitchfork . Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  7. Segal, Victoria (November 2010). "Morrissey: Bona Drag: Special Edition". Q . No. 292. p. 120.
  8. Sheffield, Rob (2004). "Morrissey". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp.  560–561. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  9. McKay, Alastair (November 2010). "Morrissey: Bona Drag". Uncut . No. 162. p. 94.
  10. Christgau, Robert (7 May 1991). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice . Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  11. "Bona Drag: 20th Anniversary vinyl and CD editions release information". True To You. 12 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  12. "Official UK Albums Top 100 – 21st January 2012 | The UK Charts | Top 40 | Official Charts Company". Theofficialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  13. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 194.
  14. "Charts.nz – Morrissey – Bona Drag". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  15. "Search results for "bona drag"". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  16. "Morrissey – Chart history | Billboard". Billboard . Archived from the original on 22 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  17. "British album certifications – Morrisey – Bona Drag". British Phonographic Industry.
  18. "American album certifications – Morrissey – Bona drag". Recording Industry Association of America.