"Bona Drag" is a compilation album by Morrissey, released on 15 October 1990. It features a collection of his popular songs from his early solo career, many of which had not been included on previous albums. The title, meaning "nice outfits," reflects the subculture slang Polari, explored in the album's opening track "Piccadilly Palare." The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on 6 December 2000 and was remastered in 2010 with six bonus tracks added.
After releasing Viva Hate in March 1988, Morrissey shifted his approach to releasing music. Instead of an immediate follow-up album, he opted for a series of independent singles. He released "The Last of the Famous International Playboys," "Interesting Drug," and "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" throughout 1989, with the first two becoming top ten hits. However, by late 1989, it became clear he wouldn't be able to release a new album in time.
As a result, Morrissey decided to compile a collection of singles and B-sides for Bona Drag. The single "November Spawned a Monster" came out in May 1990, followed by the album and "Piccadilly Palare," both released on the same day in October. Morrissey noted that while the album might be viewed suspiciously in England, it was aimed at international audiences who had not seen these singles.
The album includes all of Morrissey's solo singles up to that point, with "Suedehead" and "Everyday Is Like Sunday" appearing from Viva Hate, while the others made their album debut. Four singles reached the Top Ten in the UK, and it marked Morrissey's first chart entries in the United States, with multiple tracks reaching high positions on the Modern Rock chart. The album played a crucial role in establishing Morrissey's career in the US, even as his popularity in the UK began to decline.
The sleeve artwork is derived from the promotion video for "November Spawned a Monster," with Morrissey's shirt color changed from black to red.
In October 2010, the album was reissued by Major Minor, featuring six previously unreleased studio recordings. The reissue included updated artwork and entered the UK charts at number 67, with notable edits made to some tracks.
