Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

Infobox Single
Name = Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now


Artist = The Smiths
from Album = Hatful of Hollow
Released = May 21 1984
Format =
Recorded = Early 1984
Genre = Alternative rock
Length = 3:35
Label = Rough Trade
Writer = Johnny Marr Morrissey
Producer = John Porter
Video director =
Certification =
Chart position = * #10 (UK)
Reviews =
Last single = "What Difference Does It Make?"
(1984)
This single = "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now"
(1984)
Next single = "William, It Was Really Nothing"
(1984)

"Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" is a single by The Smiths that reached #10 on the UK Singles Chart in June of 1984 before its inclusion on the compilation album, "Hatful of Hollow". The song's title was inspired by Sandie Shaw's "Heaven Knows I'm Missing Him Now". It is listed as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. The cover features Viv Nicholson who became famous in 1961 in the UK for winning a large amount of money on the Football Pools.

The single was the subject of some controversy upon its release due to its B-side, "Suffer Little Children", which is about the Moors murders between 1963 and 1965.

The journalist Andrew Collins borrowed the song's title for the name of his autobiographical book, "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now: My Difficult Student 80s", published in 2004. There was a music video produced for the song which aired in 1984. The music video consisted of Morrissey singing, walking around Manchester, whilst holding gladioli flowers in his hands and back pocket of his trousers.

Lyrics

The song's lyrics, written by Morrissey, tell of the loneliness of the protagonist, and his hatred and misery regarding his life - "in my life, why do I give valuable time to people who don't care if I live or I die?". It also mentions the ancient Roman emperor Caligula.

Track listing

7": Rough Trade / RT156 (UK)

# "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now"
# "Suffer Little Children"

* in original green sleeve

12": Rough Trade / RTT156 (UK)

# "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now"
# "Girl Afraid"
# "Suffer Little Children"

* also released on CD Rough Trade RTT156CD (1988)

Etchings on vinyl

UK 7": SMITHS INDEED / ILL FOREVER
UK 12": SMITHS PRESUMABLY / FOREVER ILL