The Rattler
| "The Rattler" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Goodbye Mr Mackenzie | ||||
| Released | 6 October 1986 | |||
| Recorded | Hart Street Studios, Edinburgh, Scotland | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock, new wave | |||
| Length | 3:51 | |||
| Label | The Precious Organisation | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Derek Kelly, Martin Metcalfe | |||
| Producer(s) | Wilf Smarties | |||
| Goodbye Mr Mackenzie singles chronology | ||||
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| "The Rattler" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Goodbye Mr Mackenzie | ||||
| from the album Good Deeds and Dirty Rags | ||||
| Released | February 1989 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock, new wave | |||
| Length | 3:51 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Derek Kelly, Martin Metcalfe | |||
| Producer(s) | Goodbye Mr Mackenzie Add. production and mix by Mack Engineered by Jack The Cat | |||
| Goodbye Mr Mackenzie singles chronology | ||||
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"The Rattler" is a 1986 song by Scottish alternative rock group Goodbye Mr Mackenzie and has become their most enduring track, often referred to as a "lost classic" of the Scottish music scene. The song was often described as "Springsteen-esque", even though the song had not been inspired or written in that way.
"The Rattler" was originally released independently, but was withdrawn from radio airplay over its lyrical content. Despite this the track reached #8 on the indie charts. Three years later, "The Rattler" was re-recorded and released on a major label as the third single released upfront of the band's debut album Good Deeds and Dirty Rags. "The Rattler" became the band's only Top 40 hit.