Morrissey uses sarcasm and satire to ridicule the justice system in the way of how it forgives the young “sweet and tender hooligans.” In the song he’s playing a role of a satirical defense to the person, who has committed all of the crimes and he mockingly tries to justify the murders.

The song was recorded for a BBC John Peel session in December 1986 and released in April 1987 as a b-side to “Sheila Take a Bow”, appearing on the US compilation Louder than Bombs later that year.

In 1995 “Sweet and Tender Hooligan” was released as a standalone single in the US to promote their Singles compilation. The cover features a still of boxer Cornelius Carr, taken from the music video for Morrissey’s 1995 singles “Boxers”.