This song was written and recorded at the Smiths' final session, in May 1987 at Firehouse Studios, Streatham (London), with producer Grant Showbiz. The recording was mixed by Stephen Street before being released.

single version {1:57}

• 12" and cassette-single of "Girlfriend In A Coma"

• "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" USA and Canada 7"; Germany 12" and cd-single; Japan cd-single

• "Handsome Devils", a French giveaway cd-EP

• "Sweet And Tender Hooligan" single, all formats

alternate take {2:03}

• Sweet And Tender Hooligan 7" in the deluxe edition of the "Complete" box set

This song has never been performed specifically for radio or television.

This song was never done live by the Smiths. It has been performed 50 times by Morrissey after the Smiths, all on the 2009 Tour Of Refusal. It was systematically on the setlist every night at the beginning of that tour, then less and less as it progressed.

live BBC Radio Theatre 2009 {2:09} [Morrissey after the Smiths]

• "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" 7" single

No demos or studio outtakes of this song have leaked to the general public at this point in time.

Quotes

"The very last Smiths' sessions at Streatham we recorded two songs that turned up as B-sides: 'Work Is A Four Letter Word' (a cover of a Cilla Black song), and one called 'I Keep Mine Hidden' which was the last song Johnny and I wrote together and the last song The Smiths recorded together. Now when I play The Smiths - which I do a lot - that song is always the first I play. And it's the one that makes me feel the happiest."
- Morrissey, The Face, March 1990

"Morrissey had this song, 'I Keep Mine Hidden', which was basically Morrissey saying, 'I'm sorry, Johnny. I'm a complete fuck up but please forgive me.' With lots of specific references, it was a very direct song."
- Grant Showbiz, Uncut, 1998