The Smiths
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Biography
When budding guitarist Johnny Marr knocked on the door of alienated writer Stephen Morrissey in 1982 to see if he fancied starting a band, one of the most important partnerships in British rock history was born. Along with bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce, Morrissey and Marr officially formed The Smiths in 1983. Flouncing dramatically around the stage, waving gladioli at the crowd, Morrissey's crooning, awkward charisma, barbed outsider persona, and sexual ambiguity inspired an obsessive following while Marr's chiming, layered melodies made him one of the most innovative guitarists of his generation. Mixing everyday working-class grime with poetic romanticism and a genuine love of classic 1960s pop, singles âThis Charming Man,â, âHand In Glove,â and âPanicâ turned the band into legendary indie icons. Even their B-sides â including âHow Soon is Nowâ (later reissued as an A-side) and âPlease, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Wantâ â became classics. Albums The Smiths (1984), The Queen Is Dead (1986) and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987) all made it to Number 2 in the UK charts with Meat Is Murder (1985) giving them their only Number 1. The bandâs compilation albums Hatful of Hollow (1984), The World Wonât Listen (1987) and Louder Than Bombs (1987) were also big sellers. Amid clashing egos and bitter rows over royalties, the band split in 1987 with Morrissey going on to have a successful - and controversial - solo career. Marr contributed to several bands (Electronic and The The) before embarking on a career as a solo artist. Both Rourke and Joyce sued Morrissey and Marr in 1989 over royalties, which caused even more friction between the former bandmates and ensured that a full Smiths reunion would never happen. Bassist Andy Rourke died from pancreatic cancer on May 19, 2023, at the age of 59.
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Albums
Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- How Soon Is Now?
- Bigmouth Strikes Again
- This Charming Man
- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
- Girlfriend In A Coma
- The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
- Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want
- The Queen Is Dead
- What Difference Does It Make?
- The Headmaster Ritual
- Panic
- Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
- Hand In Glove
- Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
- You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby
- Unhappy Birthday
- Accept Yourself
- Is It Really So Strange?
- Cemetry Gates
- That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
- Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
- Death of a Disco Dancer
- Girl Afraid
- Handsome Devil
