Everyday Is Like Sunday
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"Everyday Is Like Sunday" is the third track of
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 debut solo album, ''
Viva Hate ''Viva Hate'' is the debut solo studio album by English singer Morrissey. It was released on 14 March 1988 by HMV, six months after the final studio album by the Smiths, '' Strangeways, Here We Come'' (1987). Vini Reilly, the leader of the E ...
'', and the second single to be released by the artist. Co-written by Morrissey and former Smiths producer
Stephen Street Stephen Brian Street (born 29 March 1960 in Hackney, London) is an English music producer best known for his work with The Smiths, The Cranberries and Blur. Street collaborated with Morrissey on his debut album ''Viva Hate'' following the spl ...
, the song was Morrissey's second release after the Smiths break-up. Morrissey was inspired lyrically by the
Mid-Wales Mid Wales ( cy, Canolbarth Cymru or simply ''Y Canolbarth'', meaning "the midlands") or Central Wales refers to a region of Wales, encompassing its midlands, in-between North Wales and South Wales. The Mid Wales Regional Committee of the Sene ...
coastal town of
Borth Borth ( cy, Y Borth) is a village and seaside resort in Ceredigion, Mid Wales, 7 miles (11 km) north of Aberystwyth on the Ceredigion Coast Path. The community includes the settlement of Ynyslas. The population was 1,399 in 2011. From be ...
and
Nevil Shute Nevil Shute Norway (17 January 189912 January 1960) was an English novelist and aeronautical engineer who spent his later years in Australia. He used his full name in his engineering career and Nevil Shute as his pen name, in order to protect h ...
's '' On the Beach'' to lament the drudgery of a
seaside town A seaside resort is a town, village, or hotel that serves as a vacation resort and is located on a coast. Sometimes the concept includes an aspect of official accreditation based on the satisfaction of certain requirements, such as in the German ' ...
. Street, who had originally sought to contribute his musical ideas to Morrissey to use for Smiths B-sides, also contributed bass guitar, which he contends was inspired by Echo & the Bunnymen. "Everyday Is Like Sunday" was featured on Morrissey's debut album, ''
Viva Hate ''Viva Hate'' is the debut solo studio album by English singer Morrissey. It was released on 14 March 1988 by HMV, six months after the final studio album by the Smiths, '' Strangeways, Here We Come'' (1987). Vini Reilly, the leader of the E ...
'', and the compilation album ''
Bona Drag ''Bona Drag'' is a compilation album by Morrissey released on 15 October 1990. The album features an array of Morrissey's most popular songs from his early solo career, most of which had not been released on any previous album. The album name m ...
''. Upon release, the single, featuring the B-sides "Disappointed", "Will Never Marry", and " Sister I'm a Poet", saw commercial and critical success, reaching number nine in the UK and garnering rave reviews for its evocative lyrics and bombastic music. Encouraged by the success of the single, Morrissey would continue working with Street for subsequent singles and the rest of ''Viva Hate''. Since its release, "Everyday Is Like Sunday" has become one of Morrissey's most successful songs and remains critically acclaimed by modern writers. it has also inspired the cult Canadian film ''
Everyday Is Like Sunday "Everyday Is Like Sunday" is the third track of Morrissey's debut solo album, ''Viva Hate'', and the second single to be released by the artist. Co-written by Morrissey and former Smiths producer Stephen Street, the song was Morrissey's sec ...
''.


Background

"Everyday Is Like Sunday" was co-written by
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 ...
and
Stephen Street Stephen Brian Street (born 29 March 1960 in Hackney, London) is an English music producer best known for his work with The Smiths, The Cranberries and Blur. Street collaborated with Morrissey on his debut album ''Viva Hate'' following the spl ...
, the songwriting team behind Morrissey's debut solo single "
Suedehead "Suedehead" is a 1988 single by English singer Morrissey, released on 15 February 1988. Co-written by Morrissey and former Smiths producer Stephen Street, the song was Morrissey's first solo release after the Smiths break-up. Morrissey was in ...
." Street, who initially believed the Smiths would reunite within a few months of breaking up, initially sent demos of his instrumental tracks to Morrissey as possible ideas for Smiths B-sides. The song's lyrics, which commemorate the dreariness of a
seaside town A seaside resort is a town, village, or hotel that serves as a vacation resort and is located on a coast. Sometimes the concept includes an aspect of official accreditation based on the satisfaction of certain requirements, such as in the German ' ...
in the off-season, were reportedly inspired by the Mid-Welsh coastal town of
Borth Borth ( cy, Y Borth) is a village and seaside resort in Ceredigion, Mid Wales, 7 miles (11 km) north of Aberystwyth on the Ceredigion Coast Path. The community includes the settlement of Ynyslas. The population was 1,399 in 2011. From be ...
, as well as
Nevil Shute Nevil Shute Norway (17 January 189912 January 1960) was an English novelist and aeronautical engineer who spent his later years in Australia. He used his full name in his engineering career and Nevil Shute as his pen name, in order to protect h ...
's '' On the Beach'', a novel about a group of people waiting for nuclear devastation in
Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
,
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
. Of the song's lyrics, Morrissey commented, "The British holiday resort is just like a symbol of Britain's absurdity really. The idea of a resort in Britain doesn't seem natural." In addition to composing the song's music, Stephen Street performed bass on the song. He commented, Everyday Is Like Sunday' was me trying to be the bass player of Echo & the Bunnymen! The chords are quite simple, but again the bassline was a big part of the songwriting." Street recruited drummer Andrew Parisi and guitarist
Vini Reilly Vincent Gerard "Vini" Reilly (born 4 August 1953) is an English musician and leader of the post-punk group the Durutti Column. He is known for his distinctively clean, fluid guitar style, which stood out from his punk-era contemporaries in its ...
to round out the studio band. Street recalled of the latter, "Vini turned around and said to me 'I'm not playing that song, it's too bloody simple' – well that song was 'Everyday Is Like Sunday'! He's a musical snob in some respects – he's incredibly frustrating." According to Street, "Everyday Is Like Sunday" was recorded in his second session with Morrissey. The song features a six-piece string section, led by violinist Fenella Barton.


Release

"Everyday Is Like Sunday" was, like "Suedehead," noted as a potential single early in the song's recording process. Street recalled, "Obviously Sunday'has such a great classic vibe to it. I think those two songs did kind of stand out as the most single-like tracks on 'Viva Hate''" The single was released in May 1988, with the
B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record compan ...
s "Disappointed", "Will Never Marry", and " Sister I'm a Poet". Written after the ''Viva Hate'' sessions, these B-sides would be hailed by Street as him "really getting into gear" and Morrissey as "a progression from ''Viva Hate''" and "quite magical." The single, featuring artwork of Morrissey that ''
Sounds In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid. In human physiology and psychology, sound is the ''reception'' of such waves and their ''perception'' by the ...
'' compared to "a stubbleless George Michael", achieved similar commercial success to its predecessor, reaching number nine 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 ...
. In addition to appearing on his first solo album ''
Viva Hate ''Viva Hate'' is the debut solo studio album by English singer Morrissey. It was released on 14 March 1988 by HMV, six months after the final studio album by the Smiths, '' Strangeways, Here We Come'' (1987). Vini Reilly, the leader of the E ...
'', "Everyday Is Like Sunday" appeared on the 1990 compilation album ''
Bona Drag ''Bona Drag'' is a compilation album by Morrissey released on 15 October 1990. The album features an array of Morrissey's most popular songs from his early solo career, most of which had not been released on any previous album. The album name m ...
''. "Disappointed" and "Will Never Marry" also appeared on ''Bona Drag.'' On 27 September 2010, the single was re-issued on CD and two 7-inch formats, including the unreleased "November the Second", an alternative mix of "November Spawned a Monster". This re-issue debuted at number 42 on the UK singles chart. It coincided with the 20th-anniversary re-issue of his 1990 compilation ''
Bona Drag ''Bona Drag'' is a compilation album by Morrissey released on 15 October 1990. The album features an array of Morrissey's most popular songs from his early solo career, most of which had not been released on any previous album. The album name m ...
''.


Critical reception

Upon its release, "Everyday Is Like Sunday" saw critical acclaim. ''
NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming, and culture website and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a 'rock inkie', the NME would become a magazine that ended up as a f ...
'' praised the song as "glorious, swooning pop," writing, "It's the one song on the album that would stand up as an instrumental and lyrically it confirms its writer's reputation as one of the most skillful chroniclers of all that is shabby and drab and joyless in this sceptered isle". ''Sounds'' named it one of the "perfect moments" on ''Viva Hate'' calling it "a perfect rebuff to the
Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard (born Harry Rodger Webb; 14 October 1940) is an Indian-born British musican, singer, producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who holds both British and Barbadian citizenship. He has total sales of over 21.5 million s ...
' Summer Holiday' hit syndrome with its drizzly chorus, 'Everyday is like Sunday/Everyday is silent and grey'." Since then, the song has been recognized as one of Morrissey's best. Ned Raggett of
AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
called the song "the unquestioned highlight of ''Viva Hate''" as well as "one of Morrissey's most memorable numbers in and out 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 ...
." He elaborated, "Street's orchestrations fit the melancholic surge of the music to a T, while Morrissey's portrait of a "
seaside town A seaside resort is a town, village, or hotel that serves as a vacation resort and is located on a coast. Sometimes the concept includes an aspect of official accreditation based on the satisfaction of certain requirements, such as in the German ' ...
that they forgot to bomb" is evocative and given a bravura vocal." '' Spin'' listed it as the number one Morrissey solo song, writing, "This is the Platonic ideal of Morrissey songs. ... While some may roll their eyes, few songs illuminate the alienation and boredom of suburbia (or small-town life) better than this." ''
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...
'' also named it first on their list of top Morrissey songs, writing, "The reason it's one of his strongest early singles is because it exists in a masterfully imagined, ennui-laden world of its own. Here, in the ''seaside town that they forgot to bomb'', there’s no acrimony or draining divorce – just drudgery in the world's snooziest holiday destination." "Everyday Is Like Sunday" has also seen great acclaim from Morrissey's contemporary musicians. In a September 1992 edition of ''Q'' magazine,
Pretenders Pretenders may refer to: * The Pretenders Pretenders are an English–American rock band formed in March 1978. The original band consisted of founder and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (le ...
frontwoman
Chrissie Hynde Christine Ellen Hynde (born September 7, 1951) is an American musician. She is a founding member and the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band the Pretenders, and one of the band's two remaining original members alon ...
(who would later record her own version of the song) said that the "lyric to 'Everyday Is Like Sunday' is, to me, a masterful piece of prose." In the same piece,
Bananarama Bananarama are an English pop duo from London, formed as a trio in 1980 by friends Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward. Fahey left the group in 1988 and was replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan until 1991, when the trio became a duo. Thei ...
's
Siobhan Fahey Siobhan Maire Fahey (; born 10 September 1958) is an Irish singer whose vocal range is a light contralto. She was a founding member of the group Bananarama, who have had ten top-10 hits including the US number one hit single "Venus". She later ...
described it as her "all-time top song". In Morrissey's autobiography, he recalls that REM's
Michael Stipe John Michael Stipe (; born January 4, 1960) is an American singer-songwriter and artist, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of alternative rock band R.E.M. He is known for his vocal quality, poetic lyrics and unique stage presence. Poss ...
told him that he was "very jealous" of "Everyday Is Like Sunday" and that it made him consider going solo.


Music video

A music video directed by
Tim Broad Tim Broad was a British film director, best known for his music videos for the singer Morrissey. In a 1990 interview, he was described as Morrissey's closest friend. Broad directed the video for The Smiths' songs " Girlfriend in a Coma" and "Sto ...
was created for "Everyday Is Like Sunday." The location used for the video was
Southend-on-Sea Southend-on-Sea (), commonly referred to as Southend (), is a coastal city and unitary authority area with borough status in southeastern Essex, England. It lies on the north side of the Thames Estuary, east of central London. It is bordered ...
. Throughout, Morrissey appears in the background of the video in roles such as a cyclist, a cafe customer, and a shop assistant. Author David Bret asserts that this was based on the film ''
Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris ''Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris'' is a musical revue of the songs of Jacques Brel. Brel's songs were translated into English by Eric Blau and Mort Shuman, who also provided the story. The original 1968 Off-Broadway prod ...
'', a film where Brel appeared in cameos intermittently throughout performances of his song by other musicians. Billie Whitelaw appears in a supporting role as does
Cheryl Murray Cheryl Murray (born Cheryl Frayling-Wright 13 July 1952 in Liverpool, Lancashire) is an English actress, best known for her role as Suzie Birchall on the soap opera '' Coronation Street'', which she played from 1977 to 1979 and again in 1983. ...
and Lucette Henderson as a young fan. Henderson had previously appeared in the video for
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 ...
' video for "
Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. The song was first released on the group's 1987 album '' Strangeways, Here We Come''. Ma ...
," while Whitelaw featured on the single artwork for "
William, It Was Really Nothing "William, It Was Really Nothing" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths. It was released as a single in August 1984, featuring the B-sides "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want" and "How Soon Is Now?", and reached No. 17 in t ...
." The video also features clips from the film ''
Carry On Abroad ''Carry On Abroad'' is a 1972 British comedy film, the 24th release in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). The film features series regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw, Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Con ...
'', a favorite of Morrissey.


Live performances

Morrissey performed the song on his solo debut on ''
Top of the Pops ''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British Record chart, music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show ...
'', appearing in a ''
The Queen Is Dead ''The Queen Is Dead'' is the third studio album by English rock band the Smiths. Released on 16 June 1986 in the United Kingdom by Rough Trade Records, and on 23 June 1986 in the US by Sire Records, it spent 22 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, pea ...
'' T-shirt and a blazer. The song has since been performed live by Morrissey on his 1991, 1992 (Festival Dates), 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008 tours, and on his 2012 tour of Australia and New Zealand. In 2004 the song was played in a medley with the first verse of "Subway Train" by
the New York Dolls New York Dolls were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1971. Along with the Velvet Underground and the Stooges, they were one of the first bands of the early punk rock scenes. Although the band never achieved much commercial succ ...
.


Track listings

7-inch vinyl # "Everyday Is Like Sunday" # "Disappointed" 12-inch vinyl, compact disc and cassette # "Everyday Is Like Sunday" # " Sister I'm a Poet" # "Disappointed" # "Will Never Marry"


2010 re-issue

Compact disc # "Everyday Is Like Sunday" (2010 digital remaster) # "November the Second" # "Everyday Is Like Sunday" # "Everyday Is Like Sunday" (''
Top of the Pops ''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British Record chart, music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show ...
'' - 9 June 1988) 7-inch single 1 # "Everyday Is Like Sunday" (2010 digital remaster) # "Trash" (Live at Irvine Meadows) * Although credited as being performed at Irvine Meadows, fans have pointed out that Morrissey did not perform at that venue in 1991, and that the live version of "Trash" is likely to have been recorded at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, California on 1 June 1991. 7-inch single 2 # "Everyday Is Like Sunday" (2010 digital remaster) # "Everyday Is Like Sunday" (live at the Hollywood Bowl - 8 June 2007)


Personnel

*
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 ...
: vocals *
Stephen Street Stephen Brian Street (born 29 March 1960 in Hackney, London) is an English music producer best known for his work with The Smiths, The Cranberries and Blur. Street collaborated with Morrissey on his debut album ''Viva Hate'' following the spl ...
: bass guitar *
Vini Reilly Vincent Gerard "Vini" Reilly (born 4 August 1953) is an English musician and leader of the post-punk group the Durutti Column. He is known for his distinctively clean, fluid guitar style, which stood out from his punk-era contemporaries in its ...
: guitar, piano *
Andrew Paresi Andrew McGibbon (a.k.a. Andrew Paresi; born 1961 in Chiswick), is an English comedian, actor, writer, musician and composer. He has also produced and directed extensively, chiefly for radio. Education The son of James, a prominent educationali ...
: drums


Charts


Release details


Cover versions

"Everyday Is Like Sunday" was covered by
the Pretenders Pretenders are an English–American rock band formed in March 1978. The original band consisted of founder and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Pete Fa ...
for the soundtrack to the film ''
Boys on the Side '' Boys on the Side '' is a 1995 American comedy-drama film directed by Herbert Ross (in his final film as a director). It stars Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Barrymore, and Mary-Louise Parker as three friends on a cross-country road trip. The screenp ...
''. Morrissey commented at the time, "I do know that
Chrissie Hynde Christine Ellen Hynde (born September 7, 1951) is an American musician. She is a founding member and the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band the Pretenders, and one of the band's two remaining original members alon ...
is doing 'Everyday Is Like Sunday.' I've heard a demo version and, well, my cheeks are moist." It has also been covered by
10,000 Maniacs 10,000 Maniacs is an American alternative rock band that was founded in 1981. They have released nine studio albums, six EPs, and five live albums. They achieved their most significant success between 1987 and 1993, when they released four album ...
(as a B-side to their single "Candy Everybody Wants"), the Armageddon Dildos (on their "Come Armageddon" maxi-single), Estonian 1990s pop group Mr. Lawrence and
Mikel Erentxun Mikel Erentxun (born 23 February 1965) is a Venezuelan-born Spanish rock musician of Basque heritage. Formerly with the group Duncan Dhu, he started his solo career in 1992. He has released 16 albums as a solo artist and has covered The Smith ...
(on his album ''Acrobatas'').
Colin Meloy Colin Patrick Henry Meloy (born October 5, 1974) is an American musician, singer-songwriter and author best known as the frontman of the Portland, Oregon, indie folk rock band The Decemberists. In addition to vocals, he performs with an acousti ...
of
The Decemberists The Decemberists are an American indie rock band from Portland, Oregon. The band consists of Colin Meloy ( lead vocals, guitar, principal songwriter), Chris Funk (guitar, multi-instrumentalist), Jenny Conlee (piano, keyboards, accordion), Nate ...
also covers the track on his solo album '' Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey''. A mostly instrumental version (containing only the title lyric) was used in NFL Network's "When all you want is football" television ad campaign.


See also

*
Morrissey discography This is a discography for the English alternative rock singer Morrissey. Since the Smiths disbanded in 1987 he has released 13 studio albums, two live albums, 16 compilation albums, two extended plays (EPs), 60 singles and seven video album ...


References

{{Authority control 10,000 Maniacs songs 1987 songs 1988 singles His Master's Voice singles Major Minor Records singles Morrissey songs Reprise Records singles Sire Records singles Song recordings produced by Stephen Street Songs about nuclear war and weapons Songs written by Morrissey Songs written by Stephen Street