"Suedehead" is a 1988 single by English singer Morrissey, released on 15 February 1988. Co-written by Morrissey and former Smiths producer Stephen Street, the song was Morrissey's first solo release after the Smiths break-up. Morrissey was inspired lyrically by the suedehead subculture, recalling an individual from his teenage years in the context of the movement. Street, who had originally sought to contribute his musical ideas to Morrissey to use for Smiths B-sides, also contributed bass guitar, while Vini Reilly and Andrew Paresi rounded out his new solo band. "Suedehead" was featured on Morrissey's debut album, Viva Hate, and the compilation album Bona Drag, the latter of which also featured the B-side "Hairdresser on Fire". Upon release, the song saw commercial success, reaching number five in the UK, as well as rave reviews for its Smiths-esque musicianship and the new Morrissey-Street writing team. Encouraged by the success of the single, Morrissey would continue working with Street for subsequent singles and the rest of Viva Hate. Since its release, "Suedehead" has become one of Morrissey's most successful songs and remains critically acclaimed by modern writers. Background Morrissey wrote the lyrics to "Suedehead" about a figure he knew from his teenage years, though he refused to specify the individual in an interview, commenting, "I'd rather not give any addresses and phone numbers at this stage." The song took its title from the suedehead subculture. Morrissey elaborated on his feelings about the subculture in a June 1988 interview with Spin magazine: It shares a title with the Richard Allen book of the same name, which similarly was set in the subculture, but Morrissey commented, "I did happen to read the book when it came out and I was quite interested in the whole Richard Allen cult. But really I just like the word 'suedehead'." The song also features the lyrics, "It was a good lay", which Morrissey jokingly commented was actually a mishearing of "It was a bootleg". "Suedehead" was Morrissey's first songwriting collaboration with former Smiths producer Stephen Street. Street, who initially believed the Smiths would reunite within a few months of breaking up, initially sent demos of his instrumental tracks to Morrissey as possible ideas for Smiths B-sides. With a band including Street, Vini Reilly, and Andrew Paresi, Morrissey attempted the song in his first solo recording session. With regards to his bassline, Street noted, "One thing I always picked up on