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2017 single by Morrissey

"Spent the Day in Bed" is a song by English singer-songwriter Morrissey. It was produced by Joe Chiccarelli. The song was released via BMG Rights Management on 19 September 2017 as the lead single from Morrissey`s eleventh solo studio album, Low in High School (2017), and a free download when pre-ordering the album.[1]

A 7" vinyl single with a live cover version of "Judy Is a Punk" by The Ramones on the b-side was released on 27 October 2017.[2]

Background

On 18 September 2017, Morrissey teased the single by writing in his first-ever tweet: "Spent the day in bed..."[3] On 19 September 2017, BBC Radio 6 Music first confirmed that it was the single`s title, before unveiling it on the radio show.[4] It later received the first radio play on Chris Evans` BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.[5]

Track listing

Digital download

1. "Spent the Day in Bed" – 3:31

7" vinyl[2]

1. "Spent the Day in Bed"
2. "Judy Is a Punk" (live)

Critical reception

Ben Beaumont-Thomas of The Guardian described the song as "typically existentialist, Eeyoreish".[6] Lars Gotrich of NPR called the song "an electric piano boogie whirred to life by strings, the recognizably Smiths-y guitar tone and DJ scratching".[7] Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph wrote that the song "boasted a vintage Morrissey construction in its flowing, easygoing melody over an urgent rhythm section, although with a fresh energy to the arrangement", and "constructed around a fast, almost Baroque keyboard line and psychedelic rhythm guitar" compared with "the sparkling indie guitars of The Smiths".[8] August Brown of Los Angeles Times opined that the song`s "electric piano-driven riff is a bit of a departure from [Morrissey`s] usual palette".[9] Caitlin Kelley of Billboard felt "the song opens with jangly electric piano, foregrounded by smokey synths".[10]

Matthew Oshinsky of Paste regarded it as "a peppy, organ-driven song about checking out from the news cycle and resisting the media narrative".[11] Sam Sodomsky of Pitchfork felt the song features "an electronic symphony of squelching synths".[12] Hayden Wright of CBS Radio described the song as a "plucky, upbeat track".[13] Winston Cook-Wilson of Spin felt the song is "driven by a snappy electric piano riff and wah-wah synths".[14]

Clara Kavanagh of Today FM wrote that the song "delivers us all the classic Morrissey magic with a new contemporary energy".[15] Corbin Reiff of Uproxx thought that the song "has an upbeat sort of vibe, with a chipper electric piano melody to propel it forward".[16] Robin Murray of Clash opined that "the jaunty electric piano riff adds fresh energy to Morrissey`s vocal".[17]

Promotional video

A promotional video was released on 17 October 2017, directed by Sophie Muller featuring Joey Barton pushing Morrissey around in a wheelchair, and a contemporary dance performance by avant-garde performance artiste David Hoyle.[18] The video was filmed at Peckham Liberal Club.[19]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[20]

• Joe Chiccarelli – production
• Chris Allgood – mastering engineering, assisting
• Emily Lazar – mastering engineering
• Davide Dell`Amore – engineering
• Damien Arlot – engineering
• Bill Mims – engineering
• Morgane Mayollet – engineering
• Samuel Wahl – engineering
• Morrissey - Lead vocal
• Gustavo Manzur – keyboard, background vocals
• Mando Lopez – bass guitar, bass
• Matt Walker – drums
• Boz Boorer – guitar
• Jesse Tobias – guitar
• Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – horns arranging, string arranging
• Maxime Le Guil – mixing, recording
• Andy Martin – trombone
• Fred Simmons – trombone
• Erik Arvinder – viola
• Songa Lee – violin
• Kathleen Sloan – violin

Charts