Morrissey accuses HMV of vulgarly attempting to “Freeze Sales” of Smiths’ single with ‘tacky badge’

Re-issue! Re-package! Re-package! Re-evaluate the songs Double-pack with a photograph Extra track (and a tacky badge)

Yesterday, The Smiths celebrated the 31st anniversary of  The Queen Is Dead be releasing a pair of 7 and 12 inch vinyl single editions of the title track from the titular album.

Included additional tracks for the 12 inch version of The Queen is Dead single are the instrumental pieces Oscillate Wildly, Money Changes Everything, and The Draize Train—whereas the 7 inch picture disc features I Keep Mine Hidden—which is allegedly the last song ever recorded by The Smiths.

Today in via one of his trademark old man yells at cloud moments—this time via Facebook post— Mancunian malcontent Morrissey has taken issue with the ‘tacky badge’ on retailer HMV’s packaging of the records

“LIMITED TO ONE PER CUSTOMER.”

Despite such measures being used to prevent those for buying up stock and reselling limited records, Morrissey has accused the retailer of trying to limit the releases sales, stating that the band didn’t request the sticker and noted that he didn’t see similar notices on any other records.

“An attempt to freeze sales is, of course, an overwhelming insult to the Smiths,” he states, “as if artistic freedom must struggle in our current culture of banality … as if only counterfeit emotions ​may ​apply.” 

He goes on to suggest that that people don disguises in order to purchase numerous copies of the singles stating:

“If you are in possession of seven variable wigs, a box containing false noses, multiple-sized plastic clip-on ears, a nurse outfit, a set of stilts, a Superman cape, and a variety of oddly shaped spectacles, then we urge you to use them now and buy as many copies ​of The Queen is Dead ​a​t HMV as​ you ​desire.”

I can’t help but think Morrissey is possibly taking the piss here, and just having a little fun via social media, but given his outspoken history—even admittedly and wrongly stating that the “Ramones are rubbish”—you never know.

Meanwhile—former Smiths drummer Mike Joyce celebrated The Queen Is Dead’s anniversary by tipping a street performer.