SUGAR MICE

"Sugar Mice" is a single release by UK progressive rock act Marillion. The single was released through EMI Records in July 1987. It´s the second single released to promote the release of Marillion´s fourth full-length studio album "Clutching at Straws" from June 1987. It was released in multible formats from a 7" vinyl single version, to a 12" vinyl EP version (picture discs of both versions also exist), plus a 5" CD single version. The regular 7" vinyl single features "Sugar Mice" (album version) as the A-side track and the B-side track "Tux on", while some of the other versions feature a radio edit version and/or an extended version of "Sugar Mice".

"Sugar Mice" is one of the highlights of "Clutching at Straws" (1987), as it´s an incredibly well composed track featuring a signature guitar motif from Steve Rothery and an engaging emotive vocal performance by Fish singing melancholic and moving lyrics about an unemployed man who feels like he has let his family down and drinks to ease his sorrows and hide his shame. "Tux on" is a great track too, which at this time was exclusive to this release. It was later included on the "B'Sides Themselves" compilation from January 1988. The lyrics for "Tux on" are about a rock star who becomes more and more arrogant and egocentric the more famous he gets and ends up doing drugs. So upon conclusion "Sugar Mice" is a strong single release from Marillion featuring to great quality tracks and a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.