Your Arsenal - About The Album

About The Album

Morrissey had been rehearsing with a new band prior to the release of Your Arsenal, which was the first official album of this new line up, whose core has remained stable to date: ever since this record was released, his music has been chiefly composed by either Alain Whyte or Boz Boorer, two musicians originally coming from the rockabilly scene.

Commencing with the blistering "You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side", the album represents a clear change in direction for Morrissey from indie pop to modern rock; with some elements of rockabilly. It also contains an influence of glam rock, because of the involvement of ex-Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson, and songs like "Certain People I Know", "Glamorous Glue", and "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday", which are respectively influenced by T. Rex, and David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust-period songs like "The Jean Genie", and the last by "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide".

Some tracks from the album were lyrically controversial, although much of the controversy was stirred up by the New Musical Express, who had turned against Morrissey by this time. "Glamorous Glue", though a personally conflicted and ambivalent song, was accused of anti-Americanism, while the similarly ambiguous "We'll Let You Know" was accused of defending football hooliganism. "The National Front Disco", meanwhile, was accused by some of glorifying the British National Front, a far-right group, and the ambiguity of lyrics such as "England for the English" was criticised.

While the album represents a consistent collection of songs, there was no standout hit single. The first song released from the album, "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful", peaked at number 17 in the United Kingdom. It also hit number two on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. While this was an improvement from the singles from Kill Uncle, it did not match the success of his earlier singles.

Despite this, a great number of singles were released from the album. The UK saw the release of "You're the One for Me, Fatty" (#19) and "Certain People I Know" (#35). In the United States, "Glamorous Glue" and "Tomorrow" reached #13 and #1 on the Modern Rock chart, respectively.

Morrissey performed a version of "Glamorous Glue" on Saturday Night Live after the album's release.

David Bowie covered the track "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday" on his album Black Tie White Noise.

Reel Big Fish covered the track "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" on their 2005 album We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy.

The album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.

Producer Mick Ronson died of liver cancer at the age of 46, less than a year after the album's release.