The Smiths are regarded by many as the most important (alternative) British band of the 1980s. Under the leadership of a classic songwriting duo (singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr), The Smiths score many hits and become incredibly popular in their home country.
Formation
Guitarist Johnny Marr (real name: John Maher) hears from friends that Steven Patrick Morrissey writes strong lyrics but is still looking for a band to set them to music. When Marr knocks on Morrissey's door in 1982, The Smiths become a reality. Drummer Mike Joyce and bassist Andy Rourke complete the line-up. Early in 1983, The Smiths release their debut single 'Hand In Glove'/'Handsome Devil', on the strength of which the British press immediately hail the band as the saviours of pop music.
Debut album
Follow-up singles 'This Charming Man' and 'What Difference Does It Make?' only reinforce that feeling, and the debut album released in 1984 receives glowing reviews. On the album, it is clear what The Smiths' trademark will be: Morrissey's poetic, often not very cheerful lyrics and Johnny Marr's - according to fans - brilliant, sparkling guitar playing.
Second album
In 1985, the official second album Meat Is Murder is released, preceded by Hatful Of Hollow, an album with B-sides, radio sessions and singles or songs not included on the debut album or Meat Is Murder. This turns out to be a recurring phenomenon with The Smiths: alongside the regular albums, the band regularly releases completely new singles and B-sides that are of equal quality to singles and tracks on albums. Much attention is paid to the artwork: all album, single and 12" covers consist of portraits of forgotten pop, TV and film stars and share a similar, somewhat desolate atmosphere.
The Queen Is Dead
At the height of their fame, the band releases their official third album and our Sunday Morning Classic, The Queen Is Dead (1986). This album is regarded by many as the most consistent and best in their career. Around that time, The Smiths hire a second guitarist for live performances, but he is dismissed halfway through the tour. The Smiths also switch their record label from Rough Trade to the much larger EMI. With one more new album (Strangeways, Here We Come in 1987) and a live album (Rank in 1988), The Smiths fulfil their contractual obligations to Rough Trade.
The end
Meanwhile, the relationship between Morrissey and Marr deteriorates so rapidly that no more albums are recorded for EMI. Marr leaves The Smiths in 1987; this marks the end of the band. Morrissey releases a considerable number of solo albums of varying quality, Marr becomes a highly regarded session guitarist (for, among others, The The, Billy Bragg and more recently Oasis) and releases two albums with singer Bernard Sumner of New Order under the name Electronic. In addition to the above albums, a considerable number of compilations of The Smiths are released. The World Won't Listen (1987) contains a number of singles and album tracks but, like Hatful Of Hollow, also many songs not included on albums.
Louder Than BombsLouder Than Bombs (1987) is also a compilation, specially intended for the American market, with tracks from both Hatful Of Hollow and The World Won't Listen plus a few new tracks. For that reason, this compilation was also released outside the US shortly afterwards. The Smiths' catalogue was taken over by Warner in the mid-1990s, who tried to milk the repertoire with three (!) best-of CDs and a singles compilation (!!), all without new tracks. The photos for these compilations were also chosen by Warner and at first glance seem in line with earlier artwork.
However, Warner did not consult Morrissey or Marr and both were furious about the covers, which they considered poorly chosen and unworthy of The Smiths.
Top 2000
In the 24th edition of the Top 2000, The Smiths are listed as follows:
Sunday Morning Classic
On 5 February 2023, The Smiths took to the Sunday Morning Classic stage with their 3rd studio album “The Queen is Dead” from 1986.
By then, The Smiths had already firmly established themselves in Great Britain, but the band members were of the opinion at the end of 1985, during the recordings of the follow-up to Meat Is Murder, that it could all be just a little better. And it was; with The Queen Is Dead, The Smiths definitively went ‘down in musical history’. The album contained the magnificent single The Boy With The Thorn In His Side from 1985, as well as the instant classic Bigmouth Strikes Again, which was released as a single in May 1986. The powerfully rocking opener of the album – and title track – made this immediately clear: a relentless rhythm section with Marr letting loose on the wah wah. The Smiths rocked like never before. With Morrissey, who had little hope left for England but still managed to bring a smile: ‘So I broke into the palace, with a sponge and a rusty spanner / She said “I know you and you cannot sing” / I said “That’s nothing you should hear me play pi-ano”’.
As an album, The Queen Is Dead still stands strong. I think Morrissey will be playing this album himself... and doing a little dance.
Source: NPO and Wikipedia Photo: album cover
