The Smiths were an 80s indie band from Manchester, UK. The band consisted of Morrissey on vocals, Johnny Marr on guitar, Andy Rourke on bass, and Mike Joyce on drums. Although The Smiths only lasted for five years, they produced four studio albums, multiple compilation albums, live albums, and twenty memorable singles. Their lyrics are comically morbid, and some of their songs are blatantly politically. The Smiths have given us some of the most danceable pop tunes, while also writing some of the darkest lyrics. So if you’re not familiar with one of the greatest bands of the 80s, or even if you are, here are 20 The Smith’s songs you need to listen to right now.
1. Ask
Most of The Smith’s songs are unbelievably catchy, but this one takes the cake. Listen to this once, and you’ll have it in your head all day. You’ll be hooked.
2. Girlfriend in a Coma
On their last album, "Strangeways, Here We Come," "Girlfriend in a Coma" has one of their most lighthearted and bounced melodies. Listen to the lyrics, and you’ll find something a little less cheery.
3. Nowhere Fast
It's no secret that The Smiths were not fans of the British monarchy.
“I’d like to drop my trousers to the Queen / Every sensible child will know what this means”
4. Bigmouth Strikes Again
This is one of the songs where the lyrics are just so awful that it’s pretty hilarious.
5. Unhappy Birthday
The perfect song to sing on your ex’s birthday.
“I’ve come to wish you an unhappy birthday / Cause you’re evil / And you lie / And I think you should die / I may feel slightly sad / But I won’t cry”
6. Panic
Some people are offended by the connotations of the lyrics, but you should think about the underlying meaning of the controversial lyrics.
7. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
Feeling bad about yourself but don’t want to wallow in a hole of self pity? Skip the water-works and dance along to your misery! (Extra points for style.)
8. Half a Person
One of their more melodic songs from the album "Louder Than Bombs."
"If you have five seconds to spare / Then I'll tell you the story of my life"
9. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
Well, it's true.
10. We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful
It's a Morrissey song, and technically not The Smiths, but I think it still deserves a place here. Even if you don't want to admit it, I think we can all relate. (Plus, Reel Big Fish covered the song in 2005 and changed a lyrics to “And if they're No Doubt, that makes it even worse.” Major shade.)
11. Let Me Kiss You
Another Morrissey song, but the lyrics paired with the traditionally romantic music is gold.
“Just close your eyes / And think of someone you physically admire / And let me kiss you…”
12. Frankly Mr Shankly
I think we all know someone who's a flatulent pain in the are.
13. Meat Is Murder
This one's serious and angry, and it doesn’t have the irony of their other songs. Morrissey sings the cold, hard truth about factory farm animals, and even includes painful recordings of the animals themselves.
14. Handsome Devil
“Let me get my hands on your mamary glans.” Smooth AF.
15. This Charming Man
An excuse for when you just don't want to go out.
16. Rubber Ring
Because sometimes you need to remember the past.
“But don't forget the songs / That made you smile / And the songs that made you cry”
17. Sweet and Tender Hooligan
The guitars are enough to love it, but you really need to pay attention to the lyrics. That goes for all of The Smith’s songs.
“Poor old man / He had an accident with a three-bar fire / But that’s ok / Because the wasn’t very happy anyway”
18. Unlovable
Although they're an indie rock band, The Smiths wrote one the emo-est lyrics to this date.
"I wear black on the outside / Because black is how I feel on the inside"
19. How Soon is Now?
Because everyone needs to be loved, even shy people.
"I am the son / And the heir / Of a shyness if criminally vulgar"
20. There’s a Light That Never Goes Out
The classic. If you haven’t heard this one before, you need to listen to it right now. You will be screaming the lyrics out with fever in no time. (Fun fact: This is the song Summer was listening to in the elevator in "500 Days of Summer.")
