Released 28 February 1994 Genre Indie pop Label Parlophone (UK) | Format 7", 12", CD, cassette Length 3:43 | |
Recorded June-August 1993 at Hook End Manor studio in Reading | ||
"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.
Contents
The extra B-side "I'd Love To." features Kirsty MacColl on backing vocals. The US and UK single releases each contained slightly different mixes of the track. Both mixes use the same take of the song, but the US version featuring less guitars, 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. The US version of "I'd Love To" later appeared on the 1998 US compilation My Early Burglary Years. The UK version was included on the track listing on the 1997 cd reissue of Viva Hate, despite not being a contemporaneous recording from those sessions.
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.
7" vinyl and cassette
- "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get"
- "Used to Be a Sweet Boy"
12" vinyl and CD (UK)
- "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get"
- "Used to Be a Sweet Boy"
- "I'd Love To" (UK version)
CD (USA)
- "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get"
- "Used to Be a Sweet Boy"
- "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.
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."
Musicians
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.