Released 7 December 1992 Genre Rockabilly Label HMV (UK) | Format 7", 12", CD, cassette Length 3:12 Writer(s) Morrissey, Alain Whyte | |
"Certain People I Know" was a single by Morrissey released in December 1992. It was the third single to be taken from the Your Arsenal album and was the third and final Morrissey single to be produced by glam rock legend Mick Ronson.
Contents
Reaching number 35 in the UK Singles Chart, the song had the distinction of being Morrissey's lowest charting solo single up to that point.
The track is in many ways a tribute to the influence of Marc Bolan on both Morrissey and his guitarist Boz Boorer, featuring a guitar line played by producer Mick Ronson that recalls "Ride a White Swan" by T. Rex.
This was also the first Morrissey single to be released following the singer's bottling off stage at the Madstock festival when he supported Madness and the subsequent NME story regarding his alleged racism. This led to the single cover being changed from featuring the singer's name spelt out in the colours of the Union Jack to plain black writing.
The video to the track was shot in Chicago.
7" vinyl and cassette
- "Certain People I Know" (Morrissey, Alain Whyte)
- "Jack the Ripper" (Morrissey, Boz Boorer)
12" vinyl and CD
- "Certain People I Know"
- "You've Had Her" (Morrissey, Boz Boorer)
- "Jack the Ripper"
Etchings on vinyl
British 7" and 12": WHY BOTHER TO KEEP CLEAN?/WHY BOTHER TO KEEP CLEAN?
Reviews
Ned Raggett of AllMusic called the lead track "a bit of an odd choice" for a single but added its b-sides "are among Morrissey's best".
Musicians
Live performances
The song was performed live by Morrissey on his 1992 tour.