Rattlesnakes (song)

"Rattlesnakes" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1984 as the third and final single from their debut studio album of the same name. The song was written by Lloyd Cole and produced by Paul Hardiman. It peaked at number 65 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks.

"Rattlesnakes"
Single by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
from the album Rattlesnakes
B-side"Sweetness"
Released2 November 1984[1]
Length3:30
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Paul Hardiman
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions singles chronology
"Forest Fire"
(1984)		 "Rattlesnakes"
(1984)		 "Brand New Friend"
(1985)
Music video
"Rattlesnakes" on YouTube

Background

"Rattlesnakes" originated with a guitar riff from the band's guitarist Neil Clark. Clark recalled in 2004, "[It's] the only riff and tune that's ever come to me in my sleep. I got up at 3am and recorded it quickly on a portastudio. We played it at practice the next day." When Clark introduced his riff idea, Cole came up with a counter-melody and wrote the song's lyrics. Inspired by the works of American writer Joan Didion, Cole took the main character from Didion's 1977 novel A Book of Common Prayer and "inserted her into the landscape" of the 1970 novel Play It as It Lays.[2]

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single, Cath Carroll of NME commented that Cole "exploits a pre-set formula to the full, but does it with such grace, such artistry, etc, that 'Rattlesnakes' is irresistible".[3] Feargal Sharkey, as guest reviewer for Melody Maker, praised "Rattlesnakes" as "definitely one up for Mr. Cole". He felt the song was an example of a "good record", one which "affect[s] people's emotions" and "makes you feel happy so you just wanna cruise along with it".[4] Morrissey, guest reviewing the singles for Smash Hits, noted, "This is their best yet, but I wish Lloyd would realise that Chapel-en-le-Frith has far more literary worth than Baltimore."[5] Frank Edmonds of the Bury Free Press gave the single an 8 out of 10 rating. He described it as "wonderful" and "catchy", and also noted the "lovely driving guitar rhythm".[6]

Andy McCluskey of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, as guest reviewer for Record Mirror, commented, "Having just listened to Depeche Mode this sounds positively dated, but that's what people want these days. Why is it that old Marlon Brando movies are so bloody trendy these days?"[7] Paul Benbow of the Reading Evening Post commented it is "nice to sing along to" but added it was "perhaps not the strongest track" from Rattlesnakes.[8] Radio Luxembourg DJ Mike Hollis, writing for the Daily Mirror, felt the song was "good" but added, "I'm not sure it's strong enough to compete with all that's going to be around over the next couple of weeks."[9]

Track listing

7–inch single (UK, Europe, Australasia and Japan)[10][11][12]

  1. "Rattlesnakes" – 3:27
  2. "Sweetness" – 2:50

7–inch single (Spain)[13]

  1. "Rattlesnakes" – 3:27
  2. "Perfect Skin" – 3:10

12-inch single (UK, Europe and Australasia)[14][15]

  1. "Rattlesnakes" – 3:27
  2. "Sweetness" – 2:50
  3. "Four Flights Up" – 2:39

Personnel

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

Production

Other

  • Da Gama – design
  • Peter Anderson – photography

Charts
Chart (1984) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[16] 59
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 31
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[18] 33
UK Singles (OCC)[19] 65

References
  1. "News: Causing a Commotion". Record Mirror. 27 October 1984. p. 6. ISSN 0144-5804.
  2. Rattlesnakes (UK and European 2CD deluxe edition liner notes). Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. Polydor Records. 2004. 982 182-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. Carroll, Cath (3 November 1984). "Singles". New Musical Express. p. 18.
  4. Sharkey, Feargal (3 November 1984). "Singles". Melody Maker.
  5. Morrissey (25 October 1984). "Singles". Smash Hits. p. 19.
  6. Edmonds, Frank (2 November 1984). "Soundscene". Bury Free Press. p. 10. Retrieved 16 March 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. McCluskey, Andy (3 November 1984). "Singles". Record Mirror. p. 16. ISSN 0144-5804.
  8. Benbow, Paul (10 November 1984). "Singles". Reading Evening Post. p. 10. Retrieved 16 March 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. Hollis, Mike (5 November 1984). "Mike Hollis's top tips". Daily Mirror. p. 7. Retrieved 16 March 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. Rattlesnakes (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. Polydor Records. 1984. COLE 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Rattlesnakes (European and Australasian 7-inch single sleeve). Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. Polydor Records. 1984. 881 458-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. Rattlesnakes (Japanese 7-inch single sleeve). Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. Polydor Records. 1984. 7DM0127.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Rattlesnakes (Spanish 7-inch single sleeve). Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. Polydor Records. 1984. 881 560-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Rattlesnakes (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. Polydor Records. 1984. COLEX 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. Rattlesnakes (European and Australasian 12-inch single sleeve). Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. Polydor Records. 1984. 881 458-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 69. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  17. "Lloyd Cole & The Commotions – Rattlesnakes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  18. "Lloyd Cole & The Commotions – Rattlesnakes" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  19. "Lloyd Cole: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
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