World Shut Your Mouth (song)


"World Shut Your Mouth" is a song by the English singer-songwriter Julian Cope. It is the first single released in support of his third album Saint Julian. The title of the song is the same as Cope's first solo album, World Shut Your Mouth.

Release

"World Shut Your Mouth" was released as a single from Saint Julian in September 1986. The song was Cope's biggest hit to date, reaching number 19 in the UK and number 84 in the US, his only single to chart there. Cope said of the success he achieved with the song, "I hated . I hated the assholes. And I hated the fact … it's what Smithy said himself, that all the English bands act like peasants with free milk. All their belligerence went and they turned into forelock-tugging gruelheads as soon as they were around record company types".
Ned Raggett of AllMusic described the song as a "simply fantastic hit UK single".

Formats and track listing

All songs written by Julian Cope, except where noted.
;UK 7" single
  1. "World Shut Your Mouth" – 3:05
  2. "Umpteenth Unnatural Blues" – 2:58
;UK 12" single
  1. "World Shut Your Mouth" – 3:34
  2. " Levitation" – 3:02
  3. "Umpteenth Unnatural Blues" – 2:58
  4. "Non-Alignment Pact" – 2:48
  5. "Transporting" – 3:34
;UK cassette single
  1. Interview – 8:00
  2. "World Shut Your Mouth" – 3:05
  3. " Levitation" – 3:02
  4. "Umpteenth Unnatural Blues" – 2:58
  5. "Non-Alignment Pact" – 2:48
;UK 12" remix single" single
  1. "World Shut Your Mouth" – 4:35
  2. " Levitation" – 3:02
  3. "World Shut Your Mouth" – 3:09

    Accolades

Chart positions