William, It Was Really Nothing (single)

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Cover art
12" vinyl repress cover art
CD single cover art
A.D.S. advert used in creating the cover (1981-2)
THE SMITHS Single
Name William, It Was Really Nothing
Release 24 August 1984, repress: 16 November, 1987
Total Length 2:09
Writer/composer Morrissey / Johnny Marr
Producer John Porter
Art work Cover star: A.D.S. speakers advert / Billie Whitelaw in "Charlie Bubbles" (1968) / Colin Campbell in "The Leather Boys" (1964)
Layout: Caryn Gough
Vinyl Etching THE IMPOTENCE OF ERNEST
ROMANTIC AND SQUARE IS HIP AND AWARE
THE IMPOTENCE OF ERNEST (Alt 7" A-side)
WE HATES BAD GRAMMER (Alt 7" B-side)
THE IMPOTENCE OF ERNEST (Alt 12" A-side)
ROMANTIC AND [ ] IS HIP N'AWARE (Alt 12" B-side)
Publisher Rough Trade Records (UK)
Sire Records (US)
Format(s) 7" Vinyl, 12" Vinyl, CD
Chart position UK #17
Single chronology
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
William, It Was Really Nothing
How Soon Is Now?

Information

The initial sleeve was created using an advert for Analog & Digital Systems Inc. speakers ("A.D.S."), circa 1981-82.
Threatened legal action resulted in the Billie Whitelaw image being used as a replacement when the record was repressed in 1987.
A.D.S. had alleged (as cited in Peepholism, p19):
"Violation of privacy" & "deceptive trade practices". (subsequently dropped)


The Italian 12" release includes a different version of "How Soon Is Now? Info from Discogs:

Mispressed edition featuring a different version of "How Soon Is Now", with additional vocal harmonies from Morrissey. The song is very different at the end when it comes to an abrupt close with Morrissey saying "OK?". The music then fades back in again.

Track list

7" Vinyl

UK - [Rough Trade RT 166]

  1. William, It Was Really Nothing – 2:09 (Morrissey/Marr)
  2. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want – 1:50 (Morrissey/Marr)

7" Vinyl repress

UK - [Rough Trade RT 166]

  1. William, It Was Really Nothing – 2:09 (Morrissey/Marr)
  2. How Soon Is Now? – 6:43 (Morrissey/Marr)

12" Vinyl / CD

UK - [Rough Trade RTT 166 / RTT 166CD]

  1. William, It Was Really Nothing – 2:09 (Morrissey/Marr)
  2. How Soon Is Now? – 6:43 (Morrissey/Marr)
  3. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want – 1:50 (Morrissey/Marr)

Lyrics

The rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This town has dragged you down
Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This town has dragged you down
Oh, no, and everybody's got to live their life
And God knows I've got to live mine
God knows I've got to live mine

William, William it was really nothing
William, William it was really nothing
It was your life...

How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say:
"Oh! Would you like to marry me?
"And if you like you can buy the ring"
She doesn't care about anything
Would you like to marry me?
And if you like you can buy the ring
I don't dream about anyone - except myself!

Oh, William, William it was really nothing
William, William

Music Video

Credits

Live History

Play count (The Smiths concert): 76

The Smiths live history:

... further results

Play count (Morrissey concert): 34

Morrissey live history:

... further results

Appears On

Appears On Covers Compilation

Cover Versions

Mentioned In

Discogs Information

Credits

  • Artwork [Sleeve By] - Morrissey
  • Bass - Andy Rourke
  • Drums - Mike Joyce
  • Engineer - Mark Wallis
  • Guitar, Mandolin - Johnny Marr
  • Layout - Caryn Gough
  • Other [Special Thanks To] - Stephen Street
  • Producer - John Porter
  • Voice - Morrissey
  • Written-By [Music] - Johnny Marr
  • Written-By [Words] - Morrissey

Notes

Recorded at Jam Studios, July 1984

© 1984 Warner Bros. Music ℗ © 1984 Rough Trade Records Ltd.

Made in the UK

Images

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Discogs information (additional release)

Notes

Similar version (EMI pressing): [r=12784283]. Recorded at Jam Studios, July 1984

© 1984 Warner Bros. Music ℗ © 1984 Rough Trade Records Ltd.

Made in the UK.

Runouts are hand-etched except for the ”broken” A and stamper numbers by CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton which are stamped.

Images

LmpwZWc.jpeg LmpwZWc.jpeg LmpwZWc.jpeg LmpwZWc.jpeg

Discogs information (additional release)

Notes

Dark blue print, on light blue paper label.

Sleeve Notes: Recorded at Jam Studios, London, July 1984 Rough Trade Records, 61-71 Collier Street, London N1 9BE, England [Pertaining to the Billie Whitelaw stills] Artwork from Charlie Bubbles TM © 1968 Universal Pictures Ltd. All rights reserved. Licensed by Merchandising Corporation of America Inc.

© 1984 Warner Bros. Music Ltd.

Images

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Discogs information (additional release)

Notes

Cover Star from "The Leather Boys" (A Raymond Stross Production)

℗ 1988 Rough Trade Records Ltd. © 1984 Warner Bros. Music Ltd.

Made in England

Images

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Wikipedia Information

Williamitwasreallynothing_UKorig.gif

"William, It Was Really Nothing" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths. It was released as a single in August 1984, featuring the B-sides "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want" and "How Soon Is Now?", and reached No. 17 in the UK Singles Chart. The song is featured on the compilation albums Hatful of Hollow and Louder Than Bombs, as well as other best of and singles collections. In 2004, the song was ranked No. 425 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. When the band performed the song on Top of the Pops, Morrissey ripped open his shirt to reveal the words "MARRY ME" written on his chest ("Would you like to marry me?" is one line of the song).

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