I Know Very Well How I Got My Name
Morrissey · The CD Singles '88–91' [2000]
A man with sullen ways
Oh, I know very well how I got my name
You think you were my first love
You think you were my first love, but you're wrong
You were the only one
Who's come and gone
When thirteen years old
Who dyed his hair gold ?
Oh, I know very well, I don't need to be told
You think you were my first love
You think you were my first love, but you're wrong
You were the only one
Who's come and gone
You were the only one
Who's come and gone
I Know Very Well How I Got My Name
Released on Morrissey's compilation album The CD Singles '88–'91, this track stands as a defining moment in the singer's career, blending his signature poetic lyricism with the post-punk energy of the late 1980s. The song explores themes of identity and self-awareness, delivered with a voice that has become synonymous with the Manchester sound. As part of a collection of singles from that pivotal era, the recording captures the raw emotional intensity and intellectual depth characteristic of Morrissey's work, influencing countless artists who followed in his wake. It remains a staple of his discography, often cited alongside hits like 'Let Me Kiss You' for its ability to dissect personal narrative with surgical precision.