"Suedehead" was the debut solo single from Morrissey, released in February 1988.
The single charted higher than any of the singles released by his former band The Smiths, and remains one of Morrissey's most well-known songs. The lead track was featured on Morrissey's debut album Viva Hate and the compilation album Bona Drag; the latter of which also featured the B-side "Hairdresser on Fire". The artwork of the single features a photo taken by Geri Caulfield at a Smiths gig at the London Palladium.
Suedeheads were a subculture that grew out from the original 1960s skinhead movement. The lyrics of the Morrissey song are unrelated to that topic.
A failed take of the B-side "I Know Very Well How I Got My Name" was released with initial copies of Vini Reilly, an album by The Durutti Column. It is credited to "Vincent Gerard and Steven Patrick" (i.e. Durutti Column guitarist Vini Reilly, and Morrissey), and titled "I Know Very Well How I Got My Note Wrong". Towards the end of the song, Reilly hits a wrong note and both men start laughing.
This song is also the subject of an Argument between Ryan Adams and David Rawlings on the opening track of Adams' album Heartbreaker, entitled, Argument With David Rawlings Concerning Morrisey'. Rawlings claims the song is found on Bona Drag, saying, "No, Bona Drag baby!"; Adams however, corrects him noting its original inclusion on Viva Hate. Rawlings, incredulously defends his erroneous position while Adams mistakenly cites the track number for "Suedehead" as track 6 on Viva Hate. Adams subsequently bets Rawlings five dollars (assumed to be American dollars), Rawlings saying,"I'll take that bet"; Adams replies, "OK, it's on there", noting that the conversation has been recorded. There is no record as to whether Rawlings indeed paid Adams the five dollars.
