Articulate, broodingly charismatic frontman Morrissey and supple guitarist Johnny Marr made the Smiths one of the most significant English bands of the '80s. (Rolling Stone)
Album: The Queen Is Dead (1986) Produced by Morrissey and Johnny Marr Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 10: Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
Lyrics: The Smiths - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
From the ice-age to the dole-age there is but one concern and I have just discovered: some girls are bigger than others some girls are bigger than others some girls mothers are bigger than other girls mothers
As Anthony said to Cleopatra as he opened a crate of ale: some girls are bigger than others some girls are bigger than others some girls mothers are bigger than other girls mothers
Album: The Queen Is Dead (1986) Produced by Morrissey and Johnny Marr Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 8: Vicar In A Tutu Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - Vicar In A Tutu With Craig Gannon.
Lyrics: The Smiths - Vicar In A Tutu
I was minding my business lifting some lead off the roof of the Holy Name church it was worthwhile living a laughable life just to set my eyes on the blistering sight of a vicar in a tu-tu he's not strange he just wants to live his life this way A scanty bit of a thing with a decorative ring that wouldnt cover the head of a child as Rose collects the money in a cannister who comes sliding down the bannister the vicar in a tu-tu he's not strange he just wants to live his life this way The monkish monsignor with a head full of plaster said : "My man, get your vile soul dry-cleaned" as Rose counts the money in the cannister as natural as Rain he dances again vicar in a tu-tu The next day in the pulpit with Freedom and Ease combatting ignorance, dust, and disease as Rose counts the money in the cannister as natural as Rain he dances again the fabric of a tu-tu any man could get used to And I am a living sign And I'm a living sign.
Album: The Queen Is Dead (1986) Produced by Morrissey and Johnny Marr Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 6: Bigmouth Strikes Again Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again
Lyrics: The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again
Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking when I said Id like to smash every tooth in your head Sweetness, sweetness, I was only joking when I said by rights you should be bludgeoned in your bed and now I know how Joan of Arc felt now I know how Joan of Arc felt as the flames rose to her roman nose and her Walkman started to melt Bigmouth, bigmouth bigmouth strikes again and Ive got no right to take my place with the Human race bigmouth, bigmouth bigmouth strikes again and Ive got no right to take my place with the Human race and now I know how Joan of Arc felt now I know how Joan of Arc felt as the flames rose to her roman nose and her hearing aid started to melt Bigmouth, bigmouth bigmouth strikes again and Ive got no right to take my place with the Human race
Album: The Queen Is Dead (1986) Produced by Morrissey and Johnny Marr Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 5: Cemetry Gates Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - Cemetry Gates Wolverhampton 1986
Lyrics: The Smiths - Cemetry Gates
A dreaded sunny day so I meet you at the cemetry gates Keats and Yeats are on your side a dreaded sunny day so I meet you at the cemetry gates Keats and Yeats are on your side while Wilde is on mine So we go inside and we gravely read the stones all those people all those lives where are they now? with loves, and hates and passions just like mine they were born and then they lived and then they died which seems so unfair and I want to cry You say: "ere thrice the sun done salutation to the dawn" and you claim these words as your own but Im well-read, have heard them said a hundred times (maybe less, maybe more) if you must write prose/poems the words you use should be your own dont plagiarise or take "on loan" there's always someone, somewhere with a big nose, who knows and who trips you up and laughs when you fall who'll trip you up and laugh when you fall You say: "ere long done do does did" words which could only be your own you then produce the text from whence was ripped (some dizzy whore, 1804) A dreaded sunny day so let's go where we're happy and I meet you at the cemetry gates Keats and Yeats are on your side a dreaded sunny day so let's go where we're wanted and I meet you at the cemetry gates Keats and Yeats are on your side but you lose because Wilde is on mine.
Album: The Queen Is Dead (1986) Produced by Morrissey and Johnny Marr Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 4: Never Had No One Ever Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - Never Had No One Ever
Lyrics: The Smiths - Never Had No One Ever
When you walk without ease on these the very streets where you were raised I had a really bad dream it lasted 20 years, 7 months, and 27 days Never had no one ever
Source: The Queen Is Dead (record)
Lyrics: The Smiths - Never Had No One Ever
When you walk without ease On these Streets where you were raised I had a really bad dream It lasted 20 years, 7 months, and 27 days I never, I'm alone, and I Never, ever oh ... had no one ever
Now I'm outside your house I'm alone And I'm outside your house I hate to intrude ... Oh, Alone, I'm Alone, I'm Alone, I'm Alone I'm Alone I'm Alone And I never, never ... oh ... had no one ever I never had no one ever I never had no, no one ever Had no one never Never ... no ... Oh ...
Album: The Queen Is Dead (1986) Produced by Morrissey and Johnny Marr Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 3: I Know It's Over Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - I Know It's Over (live London palladium)
Lyrics: The Smiths - I Know It's Over
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head and as I climb into an empty bed Oh well. Enough said. I know it's over - still I cling I don't know where else I can go Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head see, the sea wants to take me the knife wants to cut me do you think you can help me? Sad veiled bride, please be happy handsome groom, give her room loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly (although she needs you more than she loves you) and I know it's over - still I cling I don't know where else I can go I know it's over and it never really began but in my heart it was so real and you even spoke to me, and said: "If you're so funny then why are you on your own tonight? and if you're so clever why are you on your own tonight? if you're so very entertaining why are you on your own tonight? if you're so terribly good-looking then why do you sleep alone tonight? because tonight it's just like any other night that's why you're on your own tonight with your triumphs and your charms while they are in each other's arms..." It's so easy to laugh it's so easy to hate it takes strength to be gentle and kind It's so easy to laugh it's so easy to hate it takes guts to be gentle and kind love is Natural and Real but not for you, my love not tonight, my love love is Natural and Real but not for such as you and I, my love Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Note: The first vocal take Morrissey recorded for the song ended up as the one used for the album. (Wikipedia)
Album: The Queen Is Dead (1986) Produced by Morrissey and Johnny Marr Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 2: Frankly, Mr Shankly Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - Frankly, Mr Shankly Live Irvine 1985
Lyrics: The Smiths - Frankly, Mr Shankly
Frankly, Mr. Shankly, this position Ive held it pays my way, and it corrodes my soul I want to leave, you will not miss me I want to go down in musical history
Frankly, Mr. Shankly, Im a sickening wreck Ive got the 21st century breathing down my neck I must move fast, you understand me I want to go down in celluloid history
Fame, Fame, fatal Fame it can play hideous tricks on the brain but still Id rather be Famous than righteous or holy, any day
but sometimes Id feel more fulfilled making Christmas cards with the mentally ill I want to Live and I want to Love I want to catch something that I might be ashamed of
Frankly, Mr. Shankly, this position Ive held it pays my way and it corrodes my soul oh, I didnt realise that you wrote poetry (I didnt realise you wrote such bloody awful poetry)
Frankly, Mr. Shankly, since you ask you are a flatulent pain in the arse I do not mean to be so rude but still, I must speak frankly, Mr. Shankly
Album: Meat is Murder (1985) Produced by The Smiths Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 9: Meat is Murder Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - Meat is Murder
Lyrics: The Smiths - Meat is Murder
Heifer whines could be human cries closer comes the screaming knife this beautiful creature must die this beautiful creature must die a death for no reason and death for no reason is MURDER and the flesh you so fancifully fry is not succulent, tasty or nice it's death for no reason and death for no reason is MURDER and the calf that you carve with a smile is MURDER and the turkey you festively slice is MURDER do you know how animals die? kitchen aromas aren't very homely it's not "comforting", "cheery" or kind it's sizzling blood and the unholy stench of MURDER it's not "natural", "normal" or kind the flesh you so fancifully fry the meat in your mouth as you savour the flavour of MURDER NO, NO, NO, IT'S MURDER NO, NO, NO, IT'S MURDER who hears when animals cry?
Album: Meat is Murder (1985) Produced by The Smiths Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 5: That Joke isn't Funny Anymore Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - That Joke isn't Funny Anymore The Smiths live in Madrid - 1985
Lyrics: The Smiths - That Joke isn't Funny Anymore
Park the car at the side of the road you should know time's tide will smother you and I will too when you laugh about people who feel so very lonely their only desire is to die well, I'm afraid it doesn't make me smile I wish I could laugh but that joke isn't funny anymore it's too close to home and it's too near the bone it's too close to home and it's too near the bone more than you'll ever know
It was dark as I drove the point home and on cold leather seats well, it suddenly struck me I just might die with a smile on my face after all
I've seen this happen in other people's lives and now it's happening in mine
Album: Meat is Murder (1985) Produced by The Smiths Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 4: What She Said Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - What She Said Nottingham 86 Live
Lyrics: The Smiths - What She Said
What she said: "How come someone hasn't noticed that I'm dead and decided to bury me God knows, I'm ready" What she said was sad but then, all the rejection she's had to pretend to be happy could only be idiocy What she said was not for the job or lover that she never had What she read all heady books she'd sit and prophesise (It took a tattooed boy from Birkenhead to really really open her eyes) What she read all heady books she'd sit and prophesise (it took a tattooed boy from Birkenhead to really really open her eyes) What she said: "I smoke 'cos I'm hoping for an early death AND I NEED TO CLING TO SOMETHING!" What she said: "I smoke 'cos I'm hoping for an early death AND I NEED TO CLING TO SOMETHING!"
Album: Meat is Murder (1985) Produced by The Smiths Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 3: I Want The One I Can't Have Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - I Want The One I Can't Have
Lyrics: The Smiths - I Want The One I Can't Have
On the day that your mentality Decides to try to catch up with your biology
Come round ... 'Cause I want the one I can't have And it's driving me mad It's all over, all over, all over my face
On the day that your mentality Catches up with your biology
I want the one I can't have And it's driving me mad It's all over, all over, all over my face
A double bed And a stalwart lover for sure These are the riches of the poor
A double bed And a stalwart lover for sure These are the riches of the poor
And I want the one I can't have And it's driving me mad It's all over, all over my face
A tough kid who sometimes swallows nails Raised on Prisoner's Aid He killed a policeman when he was Thirteen And somehow that really impressed Me And it's written all over my face
Oh, these are the riches of the poor These are the riches of the poor
I want the one I can't have And it's driving me mad It's written all over my face
On the day that your mentality Catches up with your biology
And if you ever need self-validation Just meet me in the alley by the Railway station It's all over my face Oh ...
Album: Meat is Murder (1985) Produced by The Smiths Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 2: Rusholme Ruffians Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - Rusholme Ruffians
Lyrics: The Smiths - Rusholme Ruffians
The last night of the fair By the big wheel generator A boy is stabbed And his money is grabbed And the air hangs heavy like a dulling wine
She is Famous She is Funny An engagement ring Doesn't mean a thing To a mind consumed by brass (money)
And though I walk home alone I might walk home alone ... ...But my faith in love is still devout
The last night of the fair From a seat on a whirling waltzer Her skirt ascends for a watching eye It's a hideous trait (on her mother's side) From a seat on a whirling waltzer Her skirt ascends for a watching eye It's a hideous trait (on her mother's side)
And though I walk home alone I might walk home alone ... ...But my faith in love is still devout
Then someone falls in love And someone's beaten up Someone's beaten up And the senses being dulled are mine And someone falls in love And someone's beaten up And the senses being dulled are mine
And though I walk home alone I might walk home alone ... ...But my faith in love is still devout
This is the last night of the fair And the grease in the hair Of a speedway operator Is all a tremulous heart requires A schoolgirl is denied She said : "How quickly would I die If I jumped from the top of the parachutes ?" La ...
This is the last night of the fair And the grease in the hair Of a speedway operator Is all a tremulous heart requires A schoolgirl is denied She said : "How quickly would I die If I jumped from the top of the parachutes ?" La ...
So ... scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen (This means you really love me) Scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen (This means you really love me) Oh ...
And though I walk home alone I just might walk home alone But my faith in love is still devout I might walk home alone But my faith in love is still devout I might walk home alone But my faith in love is still devout La ...
Source: www.sing365.com
-The Chord sequence in "Rusholme Ruffians" is identical to the Elvis classic '(Marie's The Name) of His Latest Flame'. Occasionally when playing live the band would incorporate both into a medley. -"Rusholme Ruffians" was inspired by an early comic song by Victoria Wood called "Fourteen Again" and has some lyrics in common (including "She is famous, she is funny"), giving the viewpoint of the boys in the Wood song. -"The Headmaster Ritual" was covered by Radiohead in a 2007 webcast.
Album: Meat is Murder (1985) Produced by The Smiths Label: Rough Trade Records
Track 1: The Headmaster Ritual Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - The Headmaster Ritual
Lyrics: The Smiths - The Headmaster Ritual
Belligerent ghouls Run Manchester schools
Spineless swines Cemented minds
Sir leads the troops Jealous of youth Same old suit since 1962
He does the military two-step Down the nape of my neck
I wanna go home I don't wanna stay Give up education As a bad mistake
Mid-week on the playing fields Sir thwacks you on the knees
Knees you in the groin Elbow in the face Bruises bigger than dinner plates
I wanna go home I don't wanna stay
Da-da-da ...
Belligerent ghouls Run Manchester schools
Spineless bastards all ...
Sir leads the troops Jealous of youth Same old jokes since 1902
He does the military two-step Down the nape of my neck
I wanna go home I don't want to stay Give up life As a bad mistake
Please excuse me from gym I've got this terrible cold coming on He grabs and devours He kicks me in the showers Kicks me in the showers And he grabs and devours
Album: The Smiths (1984) Produced by John Porter Length: 45:36 Label: Rough Trade
Track 8: What Difference Does It Make? Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - What Difference Does It Make? Live at the Hacienda, Manchester, 6 July 1983.
Lyrics: The Smiths - What Difference Does It Make?
All men have secrets and here is mine So let it be known We have been through hell and high tide I can surely rely on you ... And yet you start to recoil Heavy words are so lightly thrown But still i'd leap in front of a flying bullet for you
So, what difference does it make ? So, what difference does it make ? It makes none But now you have gone And you must be looking very old tonight
The devil will find work for idle hands to do I stole and i lied, and why ? Because you asked me to ! But now you make me feel so ashamed Because i've only got two hands Well, i'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
So, what difference does it make ? Oh, what difference does it make ? Oh, it makes none But now you have gone And your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight
Oh, the devil will find work for idle hands to do I stole, and then i lied Just because you asked me to But now you know the truth about me You won't see me anymore Well, i'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
But no more apologies No more apology Oh, i'm too tired I'm so very tired And i'm feeling very sick and ill today But i'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
Album: The Smiths (1984) Length: 45:36 Label: Rough Trade
Track 7: Hand in Glove Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr Remixed by John Porter
Video: The Smiths - Hand in Glove
Video: The Smiths - Hand in Glove
Hand in glove The sun shines out of our behinds No, it's not like any other love This one is different - because it's us
Hand in glove We can go wherever we please And everything depends upon How near you stand to me
And if the people stare Then the people stare Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care
Kiss My Shades
Hand in glove The Good People laugh Yes, we may be hidden by rags But we've something they'll never have
Hand in glove The sun shines out of our behinds Yes, we may be hidden by rags But we've something they'll never have
And if the people stare Then the people stare Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care
Kiss My Shades ... oh ...
So, hand in glove I stake my claim I'll fight to the last breath
If they dare touch a hair on your head I'll fight to the last breath
For the Good Life is out there somewhere So stay on my arm, you little charmer
But I know my luck too well Yes, I know my luck too well And I'll probably never see you again I'll probably never see you again I'll probably never see you again Oh ...
Album: The Smiths (1984) Produced by John Porter Length: 45:36 Label: Rough Trade
Track 6: Still Ill Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - Still Ill Broadcast live on the Tube 1984.
Lyrics: The Smiths - Still Ill
I decree today that life Is simply taking and not giving England is mine - it owes me a living But ask me why, and I'll spit in your eye Oh, ask me why, and I'll spit in your eye But we cannot cling to the old dreams anymore No, we cannot cling to those dreams
Does the body rule the mind Or does the mind rule the body ? I don´t know....
Under the iron bridge we kissed And although I ended up with sore lips It just wasn't like the old days anymore No, it wasn't like those days Am I still ill ? Oh ... Am I still ill ? Oh ...
Does the body rule the mind Or does the mind rule the body ? I don´t know...
Ask me why, and I'll die Oh, ask me why, and I'll die And if you must, go to work - tomorrow Well, if I were you I really wouldn't bother For there are brighter sides to life And I should know, because I've seen them But not very often ... Under the iron bridge we kissed And although I ended up with sore lips It just wasn't like the old days anymore No, it wasn't like those days Am I still ill ?
Source: www.sing365.com Oh ... Oh, am I still ill ? Oh ...
Album: The Smiths (1984) Produced by John Porter Length: 45:36 Label: Rough Trade
Track 4: Pretty Girls Make Graves Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - Pretty Girls Make Graves (12.07.83) Derby Assembly Room
Lyrics: The Smiths - Pretty Girls Make Graves
Upon the sand, upon the bay "There is a quick and easy way" you say Before you illustrate I'd rather state : "I'm not the man you think I am I'm not the man you think I am"
And Sorrow's native son He will not smile for anyone
And Pretty Girls Make Graves Oh ...
End of the pier, end of the bay You tug my arm, and say : "Give in to lust, Give up to lust, oh heaven knows we'll Soon be dust ... "
Oh, I'm not the man you think I am I'm not the man you think I am
And Sorrow's native son He will not rise for anyone
And Pretty Girls Make Graves Oh really ? Oh ...
I could have been wild and I could have Been free But Nature played this trick on me
She wants it Now And she will not wait But she's too rough And I'm too delicate
Then, on the sand Another man, he takes her hand A smile lights up her stupid face (and well, it would)
I lost my faith in Womanhood I lost my faith in Womanhood I lost my faith ... Oh ...
Album: The Smiths (1984) Produced by John Porter Length: 45:36 Label: Rough Trade
Track 3: Miserable Lie Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - Miserable Lie (Paris)
Lyrics: The Smiths - Miserable Lie
So, goodbye Please stay with your own kind And I'll stay with mine
There's something against us It's not time It's not time So, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
I know I need hardly say How much I love your casual way Oh, but please put your tongue away A little higher and we're well away The dark nights are drawing in And your humour is as black as them I look at yours, you laugh at mine And "love" is just a miserable lie You have destroyed my flower-like life Not once - twice You have corrupt my innocent mind Not once - twice I know the wind-swept mystical air It means: I'd like to see your underwear I recognise that mystical air It means: I'd like to seize your underwear What do we get for our trouble and pain? Just a rented room in Whalley Range What do we get for our trouble and pain? ...Whalley Range! Into the depths of the criminal world I followed her...
I need advice, I need advice I need advice, I need advice Nobody ever looks at me twice Nobody ever looks at me twice
I'm just a country-mile behind The world
I'm just a country-mile behind The whole world Oh oh, oh...
I'm just a country-mile behind The world
I'm just a country-mile behind The whole world Oh oh, oh...
Album: The Smiths (1984) Produced by John Porter Length: 45:36 Label: Rough Trade
Track 2: You've Got Everything Now Words by Morrissey Music by Johnny Marr
Video: The Smiths - You've Got Everything Now Live at the Hacienda, Manchester, 6 July 1983.
Lyrics: The Smiths - You've Got Everything Now
As merry as the days were long "i am right and you are wrong"
Back at the old grey school I would win and you would lose
But you've got everything now You've got everything now And what a terrible mess i've made of my life Oh, what a mess i've made of my life
No, i've never had a job Because i've never wanted one
I've seen you smile But i've never heard you laugh
So who is rich and who is poor ? I cannot say ... oh
Oh, you are your mother's only son And you're a desperate one Oh ...
But i don't want a lover I just want to be seen ... oh ... in the back of your car
A friendship sadly lost ? Well this is true ... and yet, it's false Oh ...
But did i ever tell you, by the way ? I never did like your face Oh ...
But you've got everything now You've got everything now And what a terrible mess i've made of my life Oh, what a mess i've made of my life
No, i've never had a job Because i'm too shy
I've seen you smile But i've never really heard you laugh
So who is rich and who is poor ? I cannot say ... oh
Oh ... You are your mother's only son And you're a desperate one Oh ...
But i don't want a lover I just want to be tied ... oh ... to the back of your car To the back of your car To the back of your car To the back of your car The back of your car The back of your car Oh ... the back of your car
The Smiths were an English rock band active from 1982 to 1987. The group was based on the songwriting partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr and were signed to the independent record label Rough Trade Records. Considered by some critics to be the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British indie scene of the 1980s. (Wikipédia)
Album: The Queen Is Dead (1986)
Album: Meat is Murder (1985)
Album: The Smiths (1984)
