Girlfriend In A Coma (2:02)

“Girlfriend in a Coma” is a song by The Smiths. It was released as a single in August 1987, reaching #13 in the UK Singles Chart.

It was the first of three singles from the band’s last studio album Strangeways, Here We Come. As such, it was the last single to include newly recorded material on the b-side. It holds the distinction of containing the last recorded Smiths song, I Keep Mine Hidden. Also included – and recorded at the same session – was a cover version of a Cilla Black song, Work Is a Four-Letter Word. Morrissey’s insistence on recording this song incurred the wrath of Johnny Marr who left the band not long afterwards.

The single itself is a tongue-in-cheek, music hall inflected song that clocks in at a mere two minutes and two seconds. Although seemingly lightweight and catchy, the song features acidic, ambiguous lyrics. The song also contains peak guitar work by Johnny Marr.