Complete List Of The Smiths Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo: Paul Cox; Distributed by Sire Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Emerging from the industrial backdrop of 1980s Manchester, The Smiths ignited a cultural movement that turned introspection and wit into hallmarks of their music. Formed in 1982 by the visionary duo of guitarist Johnny Marr and lyricist Morrissey, the band redefined alternative rock with their deeply personal yet universally resonant songs. Far from following trends, The Smiths carved a path that celebrated the complexities of human emotion, setting them apart from the pop-heavy charts of the time.

The Smiths’ inception marked the beginning of a seismic shift in British music. Johnny Marr’s jangling, melodic guitar paired with Morrissey’s poignant and often sardonic lyricism created a sound that felt both timeless and revolutionary. Rounding out the lineup were bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce, whose rhythmic foundation provided the perfect balance to Marr and Morrissey’s creative dynamic. The band’s debut single, “Hand in Glove,” released in 1983, set the stage for their ascent, showcasing the raw authenticity that would become their trademark.

Their self-titled debut album, The Smiths (1984), introduced the world to the band’s unique blend of melancholy and rebellion. Songs like “This Charming Man” and “Still Ill” highlighted their ability to marry Morrissey’s introspective and socially aware lyrics with Marr’s shimmering guitar work. This release not only charted well but also established The Smiths as the voice of disenchanted youth, earning them critical acclaim and a devoted following.

Building on this success, Meat Is Murder (1985) expanded their artistic vision, tackling themes like animal rights and social inequality. The album became their first number-one record in the UK, solidifying their status as icons of the alternative music scene. Tracks such as “The Headmaster Ritual” and “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” showcased their evolving sound and lyrical depth, with Morrissey’s advocacy for vegetarianism making headlines and sparking discussions far beyond the music.

Their 1986 release, The Queen Is Dead, is often considered their magnum opus. With tracks like “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” and “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” the album captured the tension between romantic longing and biting social commentary. Johnny Marr’s innovative guitar work reached new heights, blending classical influences with modern textures, while Morrissey’s lyrics oscillated between heartache and defiance. The record’s influence on subsequent generations of musicians cannot be overstated.

Strangeways, Here We Come (1987), their final studio album, reflected a band at the peak of their creative powers, despite internal tensions. Songs such as “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me” and “I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish” hinted at both vulnerability and resilience, making their eventual breakup all the more poignant. The Smiths disbanded later that year, leaving fans mourning the loss of a band that had redefined the musical landscape in just five years.

Though their time together was brief, The Smiths’ impact is immeasurable. They released four studio albums, a handful of compilations, and a variety of singles that remain staples on alternative playlists. Their music resonated not only with listeners but also with critics, earning them accolades that endure to this day. While they never officially reunited, the legacy of their music continues to grow, with their influence evident in countless artists across genres.

Beyond the music, Morrissey and Marr’s lyrical and musical partnership has become legendary. Their willingness to address taboo subjects and challenge societal norms set a precedent for authenticity in the music industry. Even after the band’s dissolution, both artists went on to pursue successful solo careers, further solidifying their place in music history.

(A-H)

“Accept Yourself” – Hatful of Hollow (1984)
“Ask” – The World Won’t Listen (1986)
“Asleep” – The World Won’t Listen (1985)
“Back to the Old House” – Hatful of Hollow (1984)
“Barbarism Begins at Home” – Meat Is Murder (1985)
“Bigmouth Strikes Again” – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
“The Boy with the Thorn in His Side” – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
“Cemetry Gates” – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
“Death at One’s Elbow” – Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
“Death of a Disco Dancer” – Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
“The Draize Train” – Non-album single (1986)
“Frankly, Mr. Shankly” – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
“Girl Afraid” – Hatful of Hollow (1984)
“Girlfriend in a Coma” – Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
“Golden Lights” – Louder Than Bombs (1987)
“Half a Person” – The World Won’t Listen (1987)
“Hand in Glove” – The Smiths (1984)
“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” – The Smiths (1984)
“Handsome Devil” – Hatful of Hollow (1984)
“The Headmaster Ritual” – Meat Is Murder (1985)
“Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” – Hatful of Hollow (1984)
“His Latest Flame” (live) – Rank (1988)
“How Soon Is Now?” – Hatful of Hollow (1984)

(I-S)

“I Don’t Owe You Anything” – The Smiths (1984)
“I Keep Mine Hidden” – Non-album single (1987)
“I Know It’s Over” – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
“I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish” – Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
“I Want the One I Can’t Have” – Meat Is Murder (1985)
“I Won’t Share You” – Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
“Is It Really So Strange?” – Louder Than Bombs (1987)
“Jeane” – Non-album single (1983)
“Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me” – Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
“London” – The World Won’t Listen (1987)
“Meat Is Murder” – Meat Is Murder (1985)
“Miserable Lie” – The Smiths (1984)
“Money Changes Everything” – The World Won’t Listen (1986)
“Never Had No One Ever” – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
“Nowhere Fast” – Meat Is Murder (1985)
“Oscillate Wildly” – The World Won’t Listen (1985)
“Paint a Vulgar Picture” – Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
“Panic” – The World Won’t Listen (1986)
“Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” – Hatful of Hollow (1984)
“Pretty Girls Make Graves” – The Smiths (1984)
“The Queen Is Dead” – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
“Reel Around the Fountain” – The Smiths (1984)
“Rubber Ring” – The World Won’t Listen (1985)
“A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours” – Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
“Rusholme Ruffians” – Meat Is Murder (1985)
“Shakespeare’s Sister” – The World Won’t Listen (1985)
“Sheila Take a Bow” – Louder Than Bombs (1987)
“Shoplifters of the World Unite” – The World Won’t Listen (1986)
“Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others” – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
“Still Ill” – The Smiths (1984)
“Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before” – Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
“Stretch Out and Wait” – The World Won’t Listen (1985)
“Suffer Little Children” – The Smiths (1984)
“Sweet and Tender Hooligan” – Louder Than Bombs (1987)

(T-Z)

“That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” – Meat Is Murder (1985)
“There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
“These Things Take Time” – Hatful of Hollow (1984)
“This Charming Man” – Hatful of Hollow (1983)
“This Night Has Opened My Eyes” – Hatful of Hollow (1984)
“Unhappy Birthday” – Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
“Unloveable” – The World Won’t Listen (1987)
“Vicar in a Tutu” – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
“Well I Wonder” – Meat Is Murder (1985)
“What Difference Does It Make?” – The Smiths (1984)
“What She Said” – Meat Is Murder (1985)
“What’s the World” (live) – Non-album single (1987)
“William, It Was Really Nothing” – Hatful of Hollow (1984)
“Wonderful Woman” – Non-album single (1983)
“Work is a Four Letter Word” – Non-album single (1987)
“You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby” – The World Won’t Listen (1987)
“You’ve Got Everything Now” – The Smiths (1984)