Istanbul (Morrissey song) explained

Istanbul
Type:single
Artist:Morrissey
Album:World Peace Is None of Your Business
Released:20 May 2014
Recorded:La Fabrique in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, February 2014
Genre:Alternative rock
Length:
(radio edit)
Label:Harvest/Capitol
Producer:Joe Chiccarelli
Prev Title:World Peace Is None of Your Business
Prev Year:2014
Next Title:Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
Next Year:2014

"Istanbul" is a song by English singer Morrissey. It is the fourth track on his World Peace Is None of Your Business album and was released as the second single off the album via digital download on 20 May 2014, through Harvest and Capitol Records.

Due to changes in global music consumption, the physical versions of the first four singles from this album were released together as one 10" vinyl.

Joe Chiccarelli, the album's producer, stated that "Morrissey wanted to evoke the feeling of the hectic and chaotic streets of the city of Istanbul, so he used a cigar-box guitar, a lap steel guitar and a complicated and bussy drum rhythm, plus an actual gong as percussion, as well as vocal samples from a field recording taken in the streets of Istanbul by guitarist Jesse Tobias."[1]

Music video

The accompanying music video, directed by Natalie Johns, was also released on 20 May 2014. As with the previous single, it features Morrissey performing the song in spoken word.

Track listing

Digital download
  1. "Istanbul" – 4:40

Personnel

Additional musicians
Technical personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Joe Chiccarelli (Producer of WPINOYB) mini-interview at OZY. 21 May 2014 .