The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get

"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. The extra B-side "I'd Love To." features Kirsty MacColl on backing vocals.

For the Vampire Diaries episode, see The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get (The Vampire Diaries).
"The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get"
Single by Morrissey
from the album Vauxhall and I
Released28 February 1994
RecordedJune–August 1993 at Hook End Manor studio in Reading
GenreIndie pop
Length3:43
LabelParlophone (UK)
Songwriter(s)Morrissey, Boz Boorer
Producer(s)Steve Lillywhite
Morrissey singles chronology
"Certain People I Know"
(1992)		 "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get"
(1994)		 "Hold On to Your Friends"
(1994)

Reaching number eight on 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 on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 46, and it became his second and most recent Modern Rock Tracks number-one hit. The song also reached the top 50 in Canada, France and Ireland. It was most successful in Iceland, where it reached number two for three weeks.

Versions

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.[1][2] 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.

Critical reception

NME gave the single a negative review, describing the song as a "formless neutered ramble" and that his "gleaming reputation tarnishes" with this release.[3]

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 [sic] had a "mysterious, spacious band performance."[4]

Live performances

The song was performed live by Morrissey on his 1995, 1999–2000 and 2004 tours.

Track listings

7" vinyl and cassette

  1. "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get"
  2. "Used to Be a Sweet Boy"

12" vinyl and CD (UK)

  1. "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get"
  2. "Used to Be a Sweet Boy"
  3. "I'd Love To" (UK version)

CD (US)

  1. "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get"
  2. "Used to Be a Sweet Boy"
  3. "I'd Love To" (USA version)
Country Record label Format Catalogue number
UKParlophone7" vinylR6372
UKParlophone12" vinyl12R6372
UKParlophoneCompact discCDR6372
UKParlophoneCassetteTCR6372

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (1994) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[5] 85
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[6] 34
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] 17
France (SNEP)[8] 42
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[9] 2
Ireland (IRMA)[10] 24
Scotland (OCC)[11] 7
UK Singles (OCC)[12] 8
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 46
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[14] 1
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[15] 39

Year-end charts
Chart (1994) Position
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[16] 13

See also

References
  1. Morrissey (1994). The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get (US version). Sire/Reprise.
  2. Morrissey (February 1994). The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get (UK version). Parlophone.
  3. NME The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get Review
  4. http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-more-you-ignore-me-the-closer-i-get-mw0000114518
  5. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 08 May 1994". ARIA. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  6. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2477." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  7. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 12. 19 March 1994. p. 17. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  8. "Lescharts.com – Morrissey – The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  9. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (19.5.–25.5. '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 19 May 1994. p. 20. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  10. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The More You Ignore Me the Closer I Get". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  11. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  13. "Morrissey Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  14. "Morrissey Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  15. "Morrissey Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  16. "Árslistinn 1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1995. p. 16. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
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