| "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Morrissey | ||||
| from the album Vauxhall and I | ||||
| Released | 28 February 1994 | |||
| Format | 7", 12", CD, cassette | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 3:43 | |||
| Label | Parlophone (UK) | |||
| Writer(s) | Morrissey, Boz Boorer | |||
| Producer | Steve Lillywhite | |||
| Morrissey singles chronology | ||||
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"The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get" is a song by Morrissey, 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.
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.
Contents |
| Country | Record label | Format | Catalogue number |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Parlophone | 7" vinyl | R6372 |
| UK | Parlophone | 12" vinyl | 12R6372 |
| UK | Parlophone | Compact disc | CDR6372 |
| UK | Parlophone | Cassette | TCR6372 |
NME gave the single a bad review, describing the song as a "formless neutered ramble" and that his "gleaming reputation tarnishes" with this release.[1]
The song was performed live by Morrissey on his 1995, 1999-2000 and 2004 tours.
A parody of the song was made for a Bill Nye the Science Guy episode that taught about momentum. Titled "The Faster You Push Me", the song was jokingly credited to 'Momentisey'.
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.
| Preceded by "God" by Tori Amos |
Billboard Alternative Songs number-one single April 2, 1994 - May 7, 1994 |
Succeeded by "Selling the Drama" by Live |