Barbarism Begins at Home

"Barbarism Begins at Home"
Cover of the European single release
Single by the Smiths
from the album Meat Is Murder
Released
  • April 1985 (Germany)
  • 1988 (UK)
Genre
Length
  • 6:57 (album version)
  • 3:48 (7" version)
LabelRough Trade
Composer(s)Johnny Marr
Lyricist(s)Morrissey
Producer(s)The Smiths
The Smiths singles chronology
"Shakespeare's Sister"
(1985)
"Barbarism Begins at Home"
(1985)
"That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore"
(1985)

"Barbarism Begins at Home" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths. Featured on their second studio album, Meat Is Murder (1985), the song has a lyric condemning child abuse and a funk-inspired track based around Andy Rourke's bass line.

"Barbarism Begins at Home" was given an initial limited release in Germany and Italy in April 1985 but was not released as a single in the UK until 1988. It has since seen positive critical reception and became a live favourite during the band's lifetime.