Blues from a Gun

"Blues from a Gun"
Single by The Jesus and Mary Chain
from the album Automatic
B-side	"Shimmer"
Released	September 1989
Genre	Alternative rock, blues rock
Length	4:44 (Edit)
Label	Blanco Y Negro
Songwriter(s)	William Reid, Jim Reid
The Jesus and Mary Chain singles chronology
"Sidewalking" (1988) "Blues from a Gun" (1989) "Head On" (1989)

"Blues from a Gun" is a Modern Rock number-one hit from The Jesus and Mary Chain's album Automatic from 1989. It was released in four different formats, including a 3" Mini CD single in a paper gatefold sleeve. It is one of the few singles by the band featuring lead vocals from William, as opposed to Jim Reid.

Chart performance

The single reached number 32 in the UK single charts, and three weeks at number one on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart which listed the most played songs on alternative radio.

Track listing

All tracks written by Jim Reid and William Reid, except where noted

7" (NEG41)

1. "Blues from a Gun" - 4:43
2. "Shimmer" - 2:45

10" (NEG41TE) Gatefold

1. "Blues from a Gun" - 4:43
2. "Shimmer" - 2:45
3. "Penetration" - 2:46
4. "Break Me Down" - 2:23

12" (NEG41T)

1. "Blues from a Gun" - 4:43
2. "Shimmer" - 2:45
3. "Penetration" - 2:46
4. "Subway" - 2:04

CD3 (NEG41CD)

1. "Blues from a Gun" - 4:43
2. "Shimmer" - 2:45
3. "Penetration" - 2:46
4. "My Girl" (Smokey Robinson, Ronald White) - 2:31

Personnel

The Jesus and Mary Chain

• Jim Reid – guitar, synthesizer, drum programming, producer
• William Reid – vocals, guitar, synthesizer, drum programming, producer

Additional personnel

• Alan Moulder – engineer (track 1)
• Andrew Catlin – photography

Charts

Chart (1989–90)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)	32
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)	1

See also

• List of Billboard number-one alternative singles of the 1980s