This song was recorded in October 1986 at Mayfair Studios in London, with producer John Porter and assistance from “fifth Smith” Craig Gannon. While the song was considered as a single A-side, this idea was scrapped and the Smiths instead released ‘Shoplifters Of The World Unite’ in January 1987 (with ‘Half A Person’ on its B-side on the 7-inch version of the single).
The UK mix of the song was instead included on the Smiths’ The World Won’t Listen compilation album, which was released February 23, 1987. This version can be heard here:
The song was once again released, albeit with a slightly different mix, barely a month later on the Smiths’ Louder Than Bombs compilation album (released in the US on March 30, 1987). Listen to the US mix of the song here:
According to mastering engineer Frank Arkwright (who remastered the song for The Sound Of The Smiths) the version on Louder Than Bombs is slightly slower than any version previously issued.
A remastered version of the song appears on 2008’s The Sound of The Smiths compilation album. Listen to the remastered version of ‘You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby’ here:
A live version of the song, recorded at Morrissey’s July 7, 2009 concert in Warsaw, was included on a two-CD limited edition of his Swords compilation album (released 2009). Listen to Morrissey performing ‘You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby’ live in Warsaw here beginning at 46:19:
Smiths collaborator Kirsty MacColl recorded a version of the song - with Johnny Marr on guitar - for the soundtrack for the 1988 film She’s Having a Baby. This song
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