Alsatian Cousin

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"Alsatian Cousin"
"Alsatian Cousin" cover
Song by Morrissey
from the album Viva Hate
Released March 22, 1988
Recorded Winter 1987
Genre Rock
Length 3:13
Label HMV
Writer(s) Morrissey/Street
Producer(s) Stephen Street
Viva Hate track listing
Side one
  1. "Alsatian Cousin"
  2. "Little Man, What Now?"
  3. "Everyday Is Like Sunday"
  4. "Bengali In Platforms"
  5. "Angel, Angel Down We Got Together"
  6. "Late Night, Maudlin Street"
Side two
  1. "Suedehead"
  2. "Break Up the Family"
  3. "The Ordinary Boys"
  4. "I Don't Mind If You Forget Me"
  5. "Dial A Cliche"
  6. "Margaret On The Guillotine"

"Alsatian Cousin" is a song performed by Morrissey on his album Viva Hate. It was written by Morrissey and his producer Stephen Street.

In contrast with the final track on the last Smiths album, Alsatian Cousin replaces acoustic guitars with an ambient-tinged hard rock sound which is as far away from the familiar Smiths' sound as possible. The lyrics are from the viewpoint of an almost voyeuristic character who seeks erotic thrills in quizzing his subject over whether or not they have had sex in an open tent. The line "leather elbows on a tweed coat" also suggest the victim of the questioning to be a teacher, as that conforms to a stereotype of teacher in the 1970s - a time period that is referenced throughout the album - as does the reference to having sex on a desk.

The title for the song was taken from the play Forty Years On by Alan Bennett who would later become a neighbour and friend of Morrissey.

The song was performed live by Morrissey on his 1991, 1992 and 2002 tours.

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