Bootleg Retrospective

by The Slits

Released: March 17, 1980

Post-punk, dub-reggae, art pop

Shop The Slits

Amazon affiliate links

The Album

Although officially untitled, it is also known by various names such as "Y," "Y3LP," "Y3Lp—The Official Bootleg," and in Greil Marcus' book "Lipstick Traces," it is referred to as "A Boring Life" or "Once Upon A Time In A Living Room." The album features lo-fi demos and live performances from 1977-1979, preceding their 1979 album "Cut." It includes early versions of tracks that later appeared on their 1981 album "Return of the Giant Slits," and a 30-second segment of "Bongos on the Lawn" is used in a promotional video for the "Instant Hit" single from "Cut." Despite its rough quality, it was an authorized release by the Slits. "Bootleg Retrospective" is a compilation album by the Slits, released around March 17, 1980, by Y Records and distributed by Rough Trade Records.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

The Slits - Bootleg Retrospective

Open in Albums Gallery

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Bootleg Retrospective" is a compilation album by the Slits, released around March 17, 1980, by Y Records and distributed by Rough Trade Records. Although officially untitled, it is also known by various names such as "Y," "Y3LP," "Y3Lp—The Official Bootleg," and in Greil Marcus' book "Lipstick Traces," it is referred to as "A Boring Life" or "Once Upon A Time In A Living Room." The album features lo-fi demos and live performances from 1977-1979, preceding their 1979 album "Cut." It includes early versions of tracks that later appeared on their 1981 album "Return of the Giant Slits," and a 30-second segment of "Bongos on the Lawn" is used in a promotional video for the "Instant Hit" single from "Cut." Despite its rough quality, it was an authorized release by the Slits.