"You Have Killed Me" is the first single from English

alternative rock Alternative rock, or alt-rock, is a category of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1970s and became widely popular in the 1990s. "Alternative" refers to the genre's distinction from Popular culture, mainstre ...

singer

Morrissey Steven Patrick Morrissey (; born 22 May 1959), known professionally as Morrissey, is an English singer and songwriter. He came to prominence as the frontman and lyricist of rock band the Smiths, who were active from 1982 to 1987. Since then ...

's eighth studio album, ''

Ringleader of the Tormentors ''Ringleader of the Tormentors'' is the eighth studio album by English alternative rock singer Morrissey. It was released on 3 April 2006 by record label Attack. The album was described as showcasing "a thicker, more rock-driven sound", which ...

'' (2006). The single, written by Morrissey and

Jesse Tobias Jesse Tobias (born April 1, 1972) is an American guitarist who is the lead guitarist and co-writer for Morrissey since 2004. Tobias first gained fame during a brief tenure with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1993, although he was replaced by Dave ...

, was released on 27 March 2006. Morrissey said it would showcase the "marked difference in sound" brought about by the new influence of Tobias on Morrissey's work while ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' magazine described it as a "simple, effective first single". Upon its release, the song peaked at number three on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

and reached the top 10 in Denmark, Finland, Ireland, and Sweden.

Lyrical content

The lyric references

Pier Paolo Pasolini Pier Paolo Pasolini (; 5 March 1922 – 2 November 1975) was an Italian poet, filmmaker, writer and intellectual who also distinguished himself as a journalist, novelist, translator, playwright, visual artist and actor. He is considered one of ...

's 1961 film, ''

Accattone ''Accattone'' is a 1961 Italian drama film written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. Despite an original screenplay, the film is often perceived as a cinematic rendition of Pasolini's earlier novels, particularly '' Ragazzi di vita'' (''The Ra ...

'', about prostitution in the slums of Rome, as is shown in the first two lines of the lyrics ("Pasolini is me"/"Accattone you'll be"). There is much speculation as to the meaning of this quote. Some fans believe it is merely an example of Rome's influence on Morrissey, whereas others feel it is a reference to the loss of virginity, since ''Accattone'' is Pasolini's first film. A picture of Terence Stamp, main character of Pasolini's movie

Teorema ''Teorema'', also known as ''Theorem'' ( UK), is a 1968 Italian allegorical film written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini and starring Terence Stamp, Laura Betti, Silvana Mangano, Massimo Girotti and Anne Wiazemsky. Pasolini's sixth film, it ...

, was also chosen by Morrissey as cover of one of

The Smiths The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. They comprised the singer Morrissey, the guitarist Johnny Marr, the bassist Andy Rourke and the drummer Mike Joyce. They are regarded as one of the most important acts to emerg ...

early singles, "

What Difference Does It Make? "What Difference Does It Make?" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. It was the band's third single and is featured on their debut album, ''The Smiths''. A different version, re ...

". The lyric also mentions

Anna Magnani Anna Maria Magnani (; 7 March 1908 – 26 September 1973) was an Italian actress.Obituary ''Variety'', 3 October 1973, pg. 47 She was known for her explosive acting and earthy, realistic portrayals of characters. Born in Rome, she worked her ...

Luchino Visconti Luchino Visconti di Modrone, Count of Lonate Pozzolo (; 2 November 1906 – 17 March 1976) was an Italian filmmaker, stage director, and screenwriter. A major figure of Italian art and culture in the mid-20th century, Visconti was one of the fat ...

, and in some live performances

Fellini Federico Fellini (; 20 January 1920 – 31 October 1993) was an Italian film director and screenwriter known for his distinctive style, which blends fantasy and baroque images with earthiness. He is recognized as one of the greatest and most i ...

. The references to Anna Magnani and Luchino Visconti probably refer to the Visconti's segment of the anthology film

Siamo Donne ''We, the Women'' (also known as ''Of Life and Love'' and in it, Siamo donne) is a 1953 Italian portmanteau film divided into five segments and directed by five different directors. Four of these segments focus upon alleged events in the privat ...

, in which actresses are shown in their everyday lives, rather than as glamorous or sexualised. Anna Magnani frequently portrayed ordinary women who sacrificed everything for her family, as in Visconti's

Bellissima Bellissima ("Very Beautiful" in Italian) may refer to: * ''Bellissima'' (film), a 1951 film by Luchino Visconti * ''Bellissima!'', a 1988 Pizzicato Five album * "I Have a Dream"/"Bellissima", a 1997 DJ Quicksilver song * Bellissima (Annalisa son ...

or Pasolini's

Mamma Roma ''Mamma Roma'' is a 1962 Italian drama film written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, and starring Anna Magnani and Ettore Garofolo. Synopsis In Rome, an ex-prostitute, Mamma Roma (Anna Magnani), tries to start a new life selling vegetables w ...

Track listings

UK CD1 and 7-inch single # "You Have Killed Me" – 3:08 # "Good Looking Man About Town" – 2:53 UK CD2 # "You Have Killed Me" – 3:08 # "Human Being" – 6:08 # "I Knew I Was Next" – 3:46 # "You Have Killed Me" (video) US CD single # "You Have Killed Me" – 3:08 # "Human Being" – 6:08 # "I Knew I Was Next" – 3:46 # "Good Looking Man About Town" – 2:53

Personnel

: voice *

Boz Boorer Martin James "Boz" Boorer (born 19 May 1962 in Edgware, Middlesex, England) is an English guitarist and producer most known for his work founding the new wave rockabilly group the Polecats; and later for his work as a co-writer, guitarist and m ...

: guitar *

Alain Whyte Alain Gordon Whyte (pronounced Alan) (born 3 July 1967) is an English musician, songwriter, composer and singer. He was Morrissey's main songwriting partner and guitarist between 1991 and 2007. Prior to 1991, Whyte previously been in the bands ...

: guitar * Gary Day: bass * Michael Farrell: keyboard *

Matt Chamberlain Matthew Chamberlain (born April 17, 1967) is an American session musician, drummer, producer and songwriter. Biography Life and career Chamberlain was born in San Pedro, California on April 17, 1967. He began learning how to play the drums ...

: drums

Charts

Release history

References

External links

Single info

Q&A

Billboard magazine preview

The "official" Morrissey MySpace page
{{Authority control Morrissey songs 2005 songs 2006 singles Sanctuary Records singles Song recordings produced by Tony Visconti Songs written by Jesse Tobias Songs written by Morrissey