"Rattlesnakes" originated with a guitar riff from the band's guitarist Neil Clark. Clark recalled in 2004, "[It's] the only riff and tune that's ever come to me in my sleep. I got up at 3am and recorded it quickly on a portastudio. We played it at practice the next day." When Clark introduced his riff idea, Cole came up with a counter-melody and wrote the song's lyrics. Inspired by the works of American writer Joan Didion, Cole took the main character from Didion's 1977 novel A Book of Common Prayer and "inserted her into the landscape" of her 1970 novel Play It as It Lays.[3]
Critical reception
Upon its release as a single, Cath Carroll of NME commented that Cole "exploits a pre-set formula to the full, but does it with such grace, such artistry, etc, that 'Rattlesnakes' is irresistible".[4]Feargal Sharkey, as guest reviewer for Melody Maker, praised "Rattlesnakes" as "definitely one up for Mr. Cole". He felt the song was an example of a "good record", one which "affect[s] people's emotions" and "makes you feel happy so you just wanna cruise along with it".[5]Morrissey, guest reviewing the singles for Smash Hits, noted, "This is their best yet, but I wish Lloyd would realise that Chapel-en-le-Frith has far more literary worth than Baltimore."[6] Frank Edmonds of the Bury Free Press gave the single an 8 out of 10 rating. He described it as "wonderful" and "catchy", and also noted the "lovely driving guitar rhythm".[7]
Andy McCluskey of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, as guest reviewer for Record Mirror, commented, "Having just listened to Depeche Mode this sounds positively dated, but that's what people want these days. Why is it that old Marlon Brando movies are so bloody trendy these days?"[8] Paul Benbow of the Reading Evening Post commented it is "nice to sing along to" but added it was "perhaps not the strongest track" from Rattlesnakes.[9] Radio Luxembourg DJ Mike Hollis, writing for the Daily Mirror, felt the song was "good" but added, "I'm not sure it's strong enough to compete with all that's going to be around over the next couple of weeks."[10]
Track listing
7–inch single (UK, Europe, Australasia and Japan)[11][12][13]
