I Started Something I Couldn't Finish
Encyclopedia
"I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" is a song by The Smiths
. It was released as a single in November 1987, reaching #23 in the UK Singles Chart
.
It was the second of three UK singles from the band's last studio album Strangeways, Here We Come
, and was released after the band had announced their split. The record company had originally intended to release "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
" as a single in the UK but felt this would be inappropriate following the Hungerford massacre
(the lyrics contain a reference to "mass murder").
"Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" was still released as a single in other countries, but its promotional video—which featured Morrissey
plus a large number of Morrissey lookalikes—was used in the UK to promote "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish".
The track features an outtake during the fade-out at the end, with Morrissey asking "Okay Stephen (Street, the Producer) shall we do that one again?"
The cover of the single features actress Avril Angers
in a film still from the 1966 film The Family Way
.
"MURDER AT THE WOOL HALL"(X)STARRING SHERIDAN WHITESIDE
/ YOU ARE BELIEVING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SLEEP
The Wool Hall was the recording studio in Bath where the Smiths had recorded latest album Strangeways, Here We Come, but it also was where Morrissey, at the time of this single's release, was recording his debut solo album Viva Hate
. Sheridan Whiteside was one of Morrissey's pseudonyms. The B-side etching is a reversal of "You are sleeping, you do not want to believe", a sample heard at the end of the Smiths song "Rubber Ring".
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
. It was released as a single in November 1987, reaching #23 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
It was the second of three UK singles from the band's last studio album Strangeways, Here We Come
Strangeways, Here We Come
-Band:* Morrissey – vocals, piano on "Death of a Disco Dancer"* Johnny Marr – guitar, keyboards, harmonica, autoharp , synthesized strings and saxophone arrangements* Andy Rourke – bass guitar* Mike Joyce – drums-Additional musicians:...
, and was released after the band had announced their split. The record company had originally intended to release "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
-Smiths original:The Smiths' song, written by the usual combination of Morrissey and Johnny Marr, came out on the group's 1987 album Strangeways, Here We Come....
" as a single in the UK but felt this would be inappropriate following the Hungerford massacre
Hungerford massacre
The Hungerford massacre occurred in Hungerford, Berkshire, England, on 19 August 1987. The gunman, 27-year-old Michael Robert Ryan, armed with two semi-automatic rifles and a handgun, shot and killed sixteen people including his mother, and wounded fifteen others, then fatally shot himself...
(the lyrics contain a reference to "mass murder").
"Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" was still released as a single in other countries, but its promotional video—which featured Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
plus a large number of Morrissey lookalikes—was used in the UK to promote "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish".
The track features an outtake during the fade-out at the end, with Morrissey asking "Okay Stephen (Street, the Producer) shall we do that one again?"
The cover of the single features actress Avril Angers
Avril Angers
Avril Florence Angers was an English stand up comedienne and actress.- Life :Angers was born in Liverpool. She danced with the Tiller Girls before joining ENSA during the Second World War, becoming a Forces' sweetheart. She never married or had children...
in a film still from the 1966 film The Family Way
The Family Way
The Family Way is a 1966 British comedy-drama film based on Bill Naughton's play All in Good Time . It began life in 1961 as a television play entitled Honeymoon Postponed....
.
Track listing
Etchings on vinyl
UK 7" and 12":"MURDER AT THE WOOL HALL"(X)STARRING SHERIDAN WHITESIDE
/ YOU ARE BELIEVING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SLEEP
The Wool Hall was the recording studio in Bath where the Smiths had recorded latest album Strangeways, Here We Come, but it also was where Morrissey, at the time of this single's release, was recording his debut solo album Viva Hate
Viva Hate
Viva Hate is Morrissey's debut solo album, released on 14 March 1988 by HMV Records. The album was considered a very strong foray into Morrissey's solo career, as he utilised his traditional lyrical style and retained the basic sound that The Smiths had developed by the time they broke up. It...
. Sheridan Whiteside was one of Morrissey's pseudonyms. The B-side etching is a reversal of "You are sleeping, you do not want to believe", a sample heard at the end of the Smiths song "Rubber Ring".