Morrissey’s solo career has been a record collector’s dream, but also a bit of a nightmare. Moz always adds new tracks to his single releases, and he even occasionally releases stand-alone singles that do not appear on any album. He has also released many compilation CDs that include some of these rare songs, but these discs often contain multiple versions of album tracks that fans already own. It can be very frustrating for someone to track down every Morrissey song, not to mention quite expensive.
In fact, many of Morrissey’s best b-sides remain unavailable on any compilation. If you want to get them, you have to track down the original releases and spend big bucks– unless, of course, you happen to stumble upon the Analog Kid blog and find the idiot who has already done just that…
Morrissey: “Oh Well, I’ll Never Learn” (Written By Morrissey & Stephen Street)
From the CD single Suedehead
HMV, 1988
“Suedehead” was Morrissey’s first solo single, released only five months after the Smiths bowed out with Strangeways, Here We Come. “Oh Well, I’ll Never Learn” was only available on the UK CD single of “Suedehead,” so fans who bought the vinyl versions missed out on this subtle track.
Morrissey: “East, West” (Written By Graham Gouldman)
From the 12″ single Ouija Board, Ouija Board
HMV, 1989
“East, West” is a cover of an old Herman’s Hermits song, and Morrissey’s version has never appeared on any of his compilations. The CD single for “Ouija Board, Ouija Board” was my very first Morrissey purchase.
Morrissey: “Pregnant For The Last Time” (Written By Morrissey & Mark Nevin)
From the 12″ single Pregnant For The Last Time
HMV, 1991
“Pregnant For The Last Time” was a stand-alone UK single, and was released just a few months after the Kill Uncle album. It was the first Morrissey song to incorporate the pseudo-rockabilly sound that he still often uses, especially during live performances. “Pregnant For The Last Time” has never been officially released in the United States.
Morrissey: “That’s Entertainment” (Written By Paul Weller)
From the 12″ single Sing Your Life
HMV, 1991
During the Kill Uncle tour, Morrissey often played a blistering cover of The Jam’s “That’s Entertainment.”. This studio version from the “Sing Your Life” single has a very different feel, and remains unavailable on any other compilation.
Morrissey: “Let The Right One Slip In” (Written By Morrissey/Alain Whyte/Gary Day)
From the CD single Tomorrow
Sire Records, 1992
“Let The Right One Slip In” is a classic Morrissey b-side, but it was only released on the U.S. CD single for “Tomorrow.” “Tomorrow” reached #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart, making it Morrissey’s most successful U.S. single to that point.
Morrissey: “Jack The Ripper” (Written By Morrissey & Boz Boorer)
From the 12″ single Certain People I Know
HMV, 1992
Morrissey has included a live version of “Jack The Ripper” on multiple compilations, but the studio version can only be found on the “Certain People I Know” single. It’s one of the toughest Morrissey CDs to find, making the studio version of “Jack The Ripper” one of the rarest of Morrissey’s b-sides. It’s also one of his best.
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Bonus Tracks!
The first rule of The Analog Kid blog is that if you write about a song on the Analog Kid blog, you share the song on the Analog Kid blog.
Morrissey: “Suedehead” (Written By Morrissey & Stephen Street )
From the 12″ single Suedehead
HMV, 1988
Morrissey: “Ouija Board, Ouija Board” (Written By Morrissey & Stephen Street)
From the 12″ single Ouija Board, Ouija Board
HMV, 1989
Morrissey: “Sing Your Life” (Written By Morrissey & Mark Nevin)
From the 12″ single Sing Your Life
HMV, 1991
The Jam: “That’s Entertainment” (Written By Paul Weller)
From the album Sound Affects
Polydor Records, 1980
Morrissey: “Tomorrow” [Radio Remix] (Written By Morrissey & Alain Whyte)
From the CD single Tomorrow
Sire Records, 1992
Morrissey: “Certain People I Know” (Written By Morrissey & Alain White )
From the 12″ single Certain People I Know
HMV, 1992
The Analog Kid 
Reading. Loving. Hating. His Autobigoraphy for the past month. Makes me laugh and then it makes me mad so I say I’m not reading anymore. Currently on one of those breaks right now.
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Huge thanks for posting these!
Glad you are enjoying them! I recently did an entire week of Morrissey/Smiths posts, so be sure to check the archives for more rarities!