Never Understand
"Never Understand" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by The Jesus and Mary Chain | ||||
from the album Psychocandy | ||||
B-side | "Suck" | |||
Released | February 1985 | |||
Genre |
| |||
Length | 2:54 | |||
Label | Blanco y Negro | |||
Songwriter(s) | William Reid, Jim Reid | |||
Producer(s) | The Jesus and Mary Chain | |||
The Jesus and Mary Chain singles chronology | ||||
|
"Never Understand" is the first single from the Scottish alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain's debut album Psychocandy. It was the band's first release on Blanco y Negro Records and was released through them in February 1985.[2] The song was written by William Reid and Jim Reid, and was produced by The Jesus and Mary Chain. It is considered influential for its use of guitar feedback.[3]
Chart performance
The single reached number 47 on the UK Singles Chart.[4]
Critical reception
The song was ranked number 1 among the "Tracks of the Year" for 1985 by NME.[5]
Spin wrote, "On "Never Understand" the feedback shrieks like the zealous adolescent screams that drowned out the Beatles on every live record."[6] John Leland added, "The effect is striking, but it has no depth and doesn't go anywhere after the first few seconds. In Hüsker Dü's music, the buzzing guitar and pop hooks enhance one another; Jesus and Mary Chain never puts the two together."[7]
Track listing
All tracks written by Jim Reid and William Reid, except where noted.
- 7" (NEG 8)
- "Never Understand" – 2:54
- "Suck" – 2:07
- 12" (NEG 8T)
- "Never Understand" – 2:54
- "Suck" – 2:07
- "Ambition" (Vic Godard) – 3:31
Personnel
The Jesus and Mary Chain
- Jim Reid – vocals, producer
- William Reid – guitar, producer
- Douglas Hart – bass, producer
- Bobby Gillespie – drums, producer
References
- ^ Mason, Stewart. "Taste of Cindy by The Jesus and Mary Chain - Track Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ Marszalek, Julian (8 November 2011). "Brown Acid Black Leather: The Story Of The Jesus And Mary Chain's Psychocandy". The Quietus. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ Kretsch, Ron (28 April 2015). "Trent Reznor and Robert Smith talk about the Jesus and Mary Chain's 'Psychocandy'". DangerousMinds. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Never Understand". Chart Stats. Retrieved on 9 December 2008.
- ^ "Albums and Tracks of the Year". NME. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- ^ Andrea Enthal (June 1985). "Underground". Spin. No. 2. p. 34.
- ^ John Leland (July 1985). "Singles". Spin. No. 3. p. 32.
External links
- Lyrics at MTV.com
- v
- t
- e
- Jim Reid
- William Reid
- Mark Crozer
- Scott Von Ryper
- Justin Welch
- Murray Dalglish
- Dave Evans
- Bobby Gillespie
- Douglas Hart
- Ben Lurie
- Steve Monti
- Nick Sanderson
- Richard Thomas
- John Moore
- Loz Colbert
- Brian Young
- Psychocandy
- Darklands
- Automatic
- Honey's Dead
- Stoned & Dethroned
- Munki
- Damage and Joy
- Glasgow Eyes
- Live in Concert
- Sunset 666
- Barbed Wire Kisses
- The Sound of Speed
- Hate Rock 'n' Roll
- The Complete John Peel Sessions
- 21 Singles
- The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities
- Upside Down: The Best of The Jesus and Mary Chain
- The Complete Vinyl Collection
- Some Candy Talking
- Happy When It Rains
- Darklands
- Rollercoaster
- The Peel Sessions
- "Upside Down"
- "Never Understand"
- "You Trip Me Up"
- "Just Like Honey"
- "April Skies"
- "Happy When It Rains"
- "Darklands"
- "Sidewalking"
- "Blues from a Gun"
- "Head On"
- "Reverence"
- "Far Gone and Out"
- "Almost Gold"
- "Sometimes Always"
- "Come On"
- "I Hate Rock 'n' Roll"
- "Cracking Up"
- "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"
- Discography
- Rollercoaster Tour
- Beautiful Noise
- "Drama!"