This song was very likely written during the month(s) preceding its live introduction at the end of October 1991. It is credited as having been recorded in "North London in February 1992", which points to the initial recording sessions for the "Your Arsenal" album at Utopia Studios in Primrose Hill. Further work may or may not have been done to it during the proper "Your Arsenal" session in March 1992 at the Wool Hall in Bath, with producer Mick Ronson. Musicians on this recording were Boz Boorer (guitar), Alain Whyte (guitar), Gary Day (bass) and Spencer Cobrin (drums).

single / album version {2:29}

• "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" single, all formats

• "Your Arsenal" album

• "The Malady Lingers On", a video compilation

• "Suedehead - The Best Of" album

• "¡Oye Esteban!", a DVD video retrospective

• "¡The Best Of!" album

• "The HMV/Parlophone Singles '88-'95" album

• "Your Arsenal" album , redesigned edition [remastered 2014]

Amnesty International 30th Anniversary Special 28 December 1991 {2:38}

• "Amnesty International's Big 30th Birthday Celebration", a various artists video

• "The Secret Policeman's Ball", a various artists DVD retrospective

Despite having been given an official release, this is also commonly found on bootleg video compilations. The audio has not yet been compiled on a manufactured bootleg but is still found in digital format on the internet.

The Late Show 5 May 1992 [tv]

This 2-song appearance (also including "You're The One For Me, Fatty") is circulated on bootleg video compilations of Morrissey television appearances. The audio is commonly found in good quality on various manufactured bootlegs as well as in digital format on the internet.

Top Of The Pops 7 May 1992 [tv]

This is circulated on bootleg video compilations of Morrissey television appearances. The audio is commonly found in good quality on various manufactured bootlegs as well as in digital format on the internet despite being the song's studio version (as the performance was lipsynched).

Hangin' With MTV 6 August 1992 [tv]

A performance of this song was soundchecked prior to Morrissey's appearance on this programme, but Morrissey decided to do two other songs instead ("You're The One For Me, Fatty" and "Certain People I Know") and this soundcheck is not circulated on bootlegs at this point in time. "You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side" was also soundchecked and this was shown on a later MTV programme.

This song has been done in concert 63 times by Morrissey, probably even 64 times if we take into account the fact that information is missing for one setlist from the time of its stage life. It first appeared in Morrissey's set at the end of the 1991 Kill Uncle tour, more than half a year ahead of its release. It was played 8 times, probably even 9 times from its live inception in Seattle until the end of the latter tour. It was a live fixture on the subsequent Your Arsenal tour in 1992 as it was played in front of each and every audience except for that of the Madstock festival at Finsbury Park in London because that concert was ended prematurely.

live Mountain View Shoreline Amphitheatre 31 October 1991 {?:??}

• "Your Arsenal" album, redesigned edition bonus DVD

live Paris 22 December 1992 {2:43}

• "Beethoven Was Deaf" live album

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

Quotes

In an interview published in Q magazine in 1992, Morrissey said "There's the most vicious sense of competition in Manchester, as well. So many jealous, vile creatures. This is what the song 'We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successfu'l is about. In Manchester, you are accepted as long as you are scrambling and on your knees. But if you have any success or are independent or a free spirit, they hate your guts."