Ranking the Albums of The Smiths
The world is full of mediocre bands. It’s full of bands that make music for the lowest common denominator and that barely have anything original to say. The Smiths, formed in 1982 and disbanded in 1987, are one of the few truly revolutionary and original bands. The vocals, lyrics, and Morrissey, combined with the guitar work of Johnny Marr, gave the music world intelligent, challenging and brilliant songs that spoke to common people, but never spoke down to them. They were an inclusive band that will provide you with enough literary references for a lifetime. I once went to a Morrissey concert and was pleased when between songs he asked the crowd, “Does anybody have anything intelligent to say?” Nobody said anything, but I appreciated the offer. There is a reason fans rush the stage to hug Morrissey during performances. In this post I have ranked The Smiths’ four studio albums.
NUMBER ONE
Meat Is Murder is the second album released by the band, and it is my #1 choice when ranking their albums. The title track is something to behold, and I have seen Morrissey perform it live – complete with video presentation and falling on the stage floor in despair. The U.S. edition - which includes “How Soon Is Now?” - contains the perfect blend of songs that are energetic and songs that are somber. If you watch this video of Morrissey and Johnny Marr Dancing together to the end of “Barbarism Begins at Home”, you will see how brilliant, fun (yes, I said it), and connected the band was around the time of this album’s recording.
Favorite Tracks:
“How Soon Is Now?” doesn’t sound like any other Smiths’ songs. It’s a unique blend of Bo Diddley riffage combined with ethereal guitar effects. Morrissey’s vocals speak to the human condition of loneliness and desire. It’s an epic song that is by no means easy listening. The result of listening to it is total immersion in a particular mood. It is art in the truest form. There was a time, long ago, when people in clubs would dance to this type of song. It’s a time that I long for. There are few things better than to sway to the sadness and the rhythm of a song like this. Magazines often put together lists of the greatest songs. While I’m not a fan of the corporatization of music and the false credibility of magazines such as Rolling Stone, “How Soon Is Now?” has been cited as a “greatest song” by such organizations, and I approve of such a designation.
When you say it's gonna happen now / When exactly do you mean? / See, I've already waited too long / And all my hope is gone
“That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” is a deeply emotional song. Watching old videos of it being performed live is an experience that I continually return to. Morrissey’s lyrics and vocal melodies are often strengthened by fans who reach out to him and give him flowers as he sings on stage, and this song is no exception. There are so many accolades that could be given to Johnny Marr’s guitar playing, but in this particular song we must celebrate his ability to gently strum intricate chord progressions. Too often, as a culture, we celebrate the guitarist who can rip through scales and do funny poses when the camera turns to them. Johnny Marr is all substance on this song. There is so much emotion in his chord progressions and he fully supports the feeling of the song rather than making it about himself.
I’ve seen this happen in other people’s / Lives / And now it’s happening in mine
NUMBER TWO
The Queen Is Dead is The Smiths’ third album. It ranks #2 is my assessment of their works. It is The Smiths’ most biting - and I mean that in a good way - album. The Queen of England, bosses, vicars, and Morrissey’s analysis of the way his critics have reacted to him (“Now I know how Joan of Arc felt”) are all dealt with. At the same time, the album is an excellent mixture of joy, sadness, and humor. I appreciate that Morrissey was unafraid of stating his beliefs and sang so openly about such subjects. When Morrissey performed songs live during the period of this album, he took to wearing a hearing aid during performances. He did so because he learned of a fan who felt embarrassed that she had to wear one, so he wore a hearing aid in solidarity. What a beautiful gesture!
Favorite Tracks:
“There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” opens with a series of chords taken from the Rolling Stones when they were covering a Marvin Gaye song, but nobody can deny that Johnny Marr made them his own. This is one of The Smiths’ most powerful songs. In a way, it is as perfect as a song can be. The lyrics, melody, and rhythm blend together masterfully. Even the embellishments played by violin and flute (through an electronic keyboard of course) suit the song well. This song is another example of Morrissey’s ability to capture the human condition through his lyrics and vocal melodies.
Take me out tonight / Because I want to see people / And I want to see life
“Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others” is a song I’ve thought about a lot. There is no questioning that Marr’s guitar playing is exceptional on the track. The lyrics, when I first heard them, left something to be desired. It seemed to be a waste of Marr’s talent. I even saw this point raised to Marr himself in an interview once. After some time, however, I now consider the lyrics to be a reflection on the inherent unfairness of life. It is a sparkling masterpiece.
Some girls' mothers are bigger than / Other girls' mothers / Some girls are bigger than others
NUMBER THREE
The Smiths is the first album released by the band. It ranks #3 in my list. Though Morrissey ranks it very low in his own estimation of his total works, it should not be overlooked – particularly regarding our U.S. edition which contains “This Charming Man”. Though The Smiths doesn’t best capture the sound the band would eventually find, it has several strong songs and some of my personal favorites. Over the years, the idea of “Manchester bands” or bands from Manchester, England, has become diluted and silly, but this album does an excellent job of capturing the mood of a particular time and place.
Favorite Tracks:
“This Charming Man” is one of The Smiths’ most well-known songs. It begins with a riff reminiscent of African Highlife music that is, to the western ear, unique. It’s highly energetic. It perfectly paves the way for the arpeggiated riffs that playout through the rest of the song. The jingle-jangle guitar sound provides a contrast to Morrissey’s deep voice and troubled lyrics about confused love and regrettable decisions. The accompanying music video is simply shot, but captures the genius of Morrissey’s stage presence as he swings flowers around while crooning. I’ve often found the best music videos are those that simply record the band playing the song in a room with few embellishments, and this song is a perfect example of that.
“He said, "Return the ring" / He knows so much about these things
“Pretty Girls Make Graves”, which is a line borrowed from Jack Kerouac’s The Dharma Bums, is a song that I feel is overlooked. The lyrics and music are eerie and capture a sense of uneasiness. The subjects of the song are inadequacy and, again, confusion. My very favorite part comes at the end. Johnny Marr’s outro arpeggio is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. It is deeply moving and ends the song with a feeling of sadness.
She wants it now / And she will not wait / But she's too rough / And I'm too delicate
NUMBER FOUR
Strangeways, Here We Come (physical edition not available) is The Smiths’ final studio album. You’d be justified to put it at #1 in your own rankings, but in my estimation, it doesn’t have the iconic power of the previous selections. There are some strong songs, such as “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me”, but I find the album tends to lack the fury, wit, and tenderness of the three that came before it. If you want something more representative of the band during the same time period, I recommend checking out the compilation album Louder Than Bombs (available on hoopla).
Favorite Tracks:
Particular lyrics in Morrissey’s songs can make you laugh, but “Girlfriend in a Coma” is an entire song full of dark humor. Its tongue-in-cheek lyrics follow the narrator as he comes to terms with the medical condition of his girlfriend, for whom he has conflicted feelings. The accompanying music does not match the somberness of the situation. Rather, it perfectly supports the absurdity of the lyrics and the narrator’s feelings. If you dig deep enough, it can be amusing to watch old clips of news anchors stating the title of the song as they struggle with their reactions to it.
Let me whisper my last goodbyes / I know, it's serious
“I Won’t Share You” is a simple, but powerful, song about jealousy. The chord progression was performed on an autoharp that Johnny Marr found in the studio and decided to play around with. That just goes to show you how talented he is. Some people believe that Morrissey was directing the lyrics at Marr, but that is all speculation. It’s a song we can all relate to on some level. It’s a beautiful song that I feel doesn’t get enough recognition.
I won't share you / With the drive and the dreams inside / This is my time
Rock music, though I struggle to use that term in this context, is in an interesting place at the moment. Though bands continue to release albums and tour, in my own estimation, the genre died roughly in the year 2013. There aren’t really any big bands anymore. I’ve heard a few popular groups claim to be “the last” of the big rock groups, but that’s not important. What is important is that The Smiths will have an enduring legacy. When the dust settles and all the nonsense is forgotten, we will remember the genius of this one band and be grateful for what they had to offer.
- by Andrew Punk, Lawrence Headquarters Branch
Great blog! Moz forever!
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