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THE SMITHS

Tony Fletcher

A Light That Never Goes Out : The Enduring Saga Of The Smiths

    To this day, they were, their fans believe, the best band in the world. Critics and sales figures told a similar story. Yet for all their brilliance and adoration – their famously energetic live shows routinely interrupted by stage invasions – The Smiths were continually plagued by their reticence to play the game, and by the time of 1987’s Strangeways Here We Come, they had split.

    Tony Fletcher's A Light That Never Goes Out - part celebration, part paean – moves from Manchester in the nineteenth-century to the present day to tell the complete story of The Smiths. The product of extensive research and unprecedented access, it will serve to confirm The Smiths as one of the most important and influential rock groups of all time.

    Widely considered to be both The Smiths’ finest work and one of the greatest albums ever made, ‘The Queen Is Dead’ has cast a significant influence over subsequent generations since it was first released in the summer of 1986.

    This reissue represents the first time that The Smiths’ back catalogue has been revisited in such a way. The album features several of the band’s finest moments including the title track and ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’, as well as the iconic singles ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’ and ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’.

    ‘The Queen Is Dead’ will be released on digital and streaming formats as well as the following physical formats – all of which feature the 2017 master of the original album:

    5LP box – featuring the 2017 master of the album, additional recordings and the ‘Live In Boston’ recording. Housed in lift-off box with 2 double gatefolds and 1 single sleeve pressed on 180g heavy weight vinyl.

    Deluxe 3CD / 1 DVD box set – features the 2017 master of the album; additional recordings featuring demos, b-sides and alternative versions; the ‘Live In Boston’ album recorded at the Great Woods Center For The Performing Arts on 5th August 1986; and a DVD featuring the 2017 master of album in 96kHz / 24-bit PCM stereo and ‘The Queen Is Dead – A Film By Derek Jarman’.

    2CD – features the 2017 master of the album; additional recordings featuring demos, b-sides and alternative versions.


    TRACK LISTING

    VINYL BOX SET TRACKLISTING:
    LP 1 – Original Album: 2017 Master
    Side A:
    1. ‘The Queen Is Dead’
    2. ‘Frankly, Mr. Shankly’
    3. ‘I Know It’s Over’
    4. ‘Never Had No One Ever’
    5. ‘Cemetry Gates’

    Side B:
    6. ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’
    7. ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’
    8. ‘Vicar In A Tutu’
    9. ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’
    10. ‘Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others’

    LP 2 & 3 – Additional Recordings
    Side A:
    1. ‘The Queen Is Dead’ (full Version)
    2. ‘Frankly, Mr. Shankly’ (demo)
    3. ‘I Know It’s Over’ (demo)

    Side B:
    4. ‘Never Had No One Ever’ (demo)
    5. ‘Cemetry Gates’ (demo)
    6. ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ (demo)

    Side C:
    7. ‘Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others’ (demo)
    8. ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’ (demo Mix)
    9. ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ (take 1)

    Side D:
    10. ‘Rubber Ring’ (b-side)
    11. ‘Asleep’ (b-side)
    12. ‘Money Changes Everything’ (b-side)
    13. ‘Unloveable’ (b-side)

    Tracks 1-7 And 9 Are Previously Unreleased.
    Track 8 Was Released On 7” For Record Store Day.
    Tracks 10 And 11 Are 2017 Masters Of B-sides From ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’.
    Tracks 12 And 13 Are 2017 Masters Of B-sides From ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’.

    LP 4 & 5 – ‘Live In Boston’ – Previously Unreleased
    Side A:
    1. ‘How Soon Is Now?’ (5.25)
    2. ‘Hand In Glove’ (2.58)
    3. ‘I Want The One I Can’t Have’ (3.24)
    4. ‘Never Had No One Ever’ (3.29)

    Side B:
    5. ‘Stretch Out And Wait’ (3.09)
    6. ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’ (3.34)
    7. ‘Cemetry Gates’ (3.01)
    8. ‘Rubber Ring/What She Said/Rubber Ring’ (4.17)

    Side C:
    9. ‘Is It Really So Strange?’ (3.23)
    10. ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ (4.09)
    11. ‘That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore’ (4.51)

    Side D:
    12. ‘The Queen Is Dead’ (5.08)
    13. ‘I Know It's Over’ (7.39)

    Recorded At The Great Woods Center For The Performing Arts On 5th August 1986.

    DELUXE 3CD / 1 DVD BOX SET TRACKLISTING: 

    CD1 – Original Album: 2017 Master
    1. ‘The Queen Is Dead’
    2. ‘Frankly, Mr. Shankly’
    3. ‘I Know It’s Over’
    4. ‘Never Had No One Ever’
    5. ‘Cemetry Gates’
    6. ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’
    7. ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’
    8. ‘Vicar In A Tutu’
    9. ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’
    10. ‘Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others’

    CD2 – Additional Recordings
    1. ‘The Queen Is Dead’ (full Version)
    2. ‘Frankly, Mr. Shankly’ (demo)
    3. ‘I Know It’s Over’ (demo)
    4. ‘Never Had No One Ever’ (demo)
    5. ‘Cemetry Gates’ (demo)
    6. ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ (demo)
    7. ‘Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others’ (demo)
    8. ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’ (demo Mix)
    9. ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ (take 1)
    10. ‘Rubber Ring’ (b-side)
    11. ‘Asleep’ (b-side)
    12. ‘Money Changes Everything’ (b-side)
    13. ‘Unloveable’ (b-side)

    Tracks 1-7 And 9 Are Previously Unreleased.
    Track 8 Was Released On 7” For Record Store Day.
    Tracks 10 And 11 Are 2017 Masters Of B-sides From ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’.
    Tracks 12 And 13 Are 2017 Masters Of B-sides From ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’.

    CD3 – ‘Live In Boston’ – Previously Unreleased
    1. ‘How Soon Is Now?’ (5.25)
    2. ‘Hand In Glove’ (2.58)
    3. ‘I Want The One I Can’t Have’ (3.24)
    4. ‘Never Had No One Ever’ (3.29)
    5. ‘Stretch Out And Wait’ (3.09)
    6. ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’ (3.34)
    7. ‘Cemetry Gates’ (3.01)
    8. ‘Rubber Ring/What She Said/Rubber Ring’ (4.17)
    9. ‘Is It Really So Strange?’ (3.23)
    10. ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ (4.09)
    11. ‘That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore’ (4.51)
    12. ‘The Queen Is Dead’ (5.08)
    13. ‘I Know It's Over’ (7.39)

    Recorded At The Great Woods Center For The Performing Arts On 5th August 1986.

    DVD:
    ‘The Queen Is Dead’ On 96kHz / 24-bit PCM Stereo.
    ‘The Queen Is Dead – A Film By Derek Jarman’.

    2CD TRACKLISTING:
    CD1 – Original Album: 2017 Master
    1. ‘The Queen Is Dead’
    2. ‘Frankly, Mr. Shankly’
    3. ‘I Know It’s Over’
    4. ‘Never Had No One Ever’
    5. ‘Cemetry Gates’
    6. ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’
    7. ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’
    8. ‘Vicar In A Tutu’
    9. ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’
    10. ‘Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others’

    CD2 – Additional Recordings
    1. ‘The Queen Is Dead’ (full Version)
    2. ‘Frankly, Mr. Shankly’ (demo)
    3. ‘I Know It’s Over’ (demo)
    4. ‘Never Had No One Ever’ (demo)
    5. ‘Cemetry Gates’ (demo)
    6. ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ (demo)
    7. ‘Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others’ (demo)
    8. ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’ (demo Mix)
    9. ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ (take 1)
    10. ‘Rubber Ring’ (b-side)
    11. ‘Asleep’ (b-side)
    12. ‘Money Changes Everything’ (b-side)
    13. ‘Unloveable’ (b-side)

    Tracks 1-7 And 9 Are Previously Unreleased.
    Track 8 Was Released On 7” For Record Store Day.
    Tracks 10 And 11 Are 2017 Masters Of B-sides From ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’.
    Tracks 12 And 13 Are 2017 Masters Of B-sides From ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’.

    Various Artists

    Please, Please, Please: A Tribute To The Smiths

      American Laundromat Records has enlisted a herd of indie-rock luminaries - including The Wedding Present, Built to Spill’s Doug Martsch, Throwing Muses co-founder Tanya Donelly, Telekinesis and William Fitzsimmons to contribute covers of 20 classic songs by The Smiths for this new tribute CD.

      In a fitting touch, the label - which previously has released the compilations Just Like Heaven: A Tribute to The Cure and Dig for Fire: A Tribute to the Pixies - was able to secure a photo of ’60s U.K. pop star Sandie Shaw for the cover art; Shaw, of course, was a favourite of both Morrissey and Johnny Marr who, in 1984, covered The Smiths’ "Hand in Glove." It's an outstanding tribute to The Smiths and highly recommended.

      The Smiths

      Meat Is Murder - Remastered

      Only a year after their debut, 1985's follow-up was a huge leap forward for The Smiths. Soundwise, definitely: tighter, louder, clearer, more rocking, and in opener "The Headmaster Ritual", and weepie "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" they had two more top draw classics to add to their canon. There were different types of song on display here, whether it's the Elvis-cribbing, super atmospheric, cyclical scene setter of "Rusholme Ruffians", the rock overloaded hurtle of "What She Said" or the churning, jarring horror of the title track, here was a completely unique band expanding their template.

      The Smiths

      The World Won't Listen - Remastered

        This is 1987's sibling to 84's "Hatful Of Hollow" with 14 tracks from non-album singles compiled with one brand new song. "You just Haven't Earnt It Yet, Baby" was another sparkling jangler that was pressed as a single then pulled, whilst the other 2 curios are a new and superior version of "Stretch Out And Wait" and the original, foggier mix of "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" which has much more charm (recorded in Chorlton!) than the "Queen Is Dead" version. Album singles are still featured on this comp. though, and that diluted its impact somewhat rendering "TWWL" not quite as pure an artistic statement as its sister record. Hey: still superb though!

        The Smiths

        Hatful Of Hollow - Remastered

          You'll know that The Smiths were prolific: all 4 of their proper albums were released in successive calendar years. But one thing that might have got lost with time is just how many non-album singles (with brand new b-sides too) they released. A mere month after each of their first 3 albums came out, there was a one-off single already heralding the new! With "Hatful Of Hollow" (Autumn 1984) there had been 2 twelve-inches (5 brand new tracks) since the debut album in March and the idea was to put these and the much loved BBC Sessions songs on one cheaply priced record. As some fans (and Morrissey too) had misgivings about the production of the debut, this was a good way to let people hear what many consider to be better versions. One of these songs was the incredible "This Night Has Opened My Eyes" which was never properly recorded by the band and is only available on this disc.

          STAFF COMMENTS

          Andy says: The dream has gone but the music is real!!

          The Smiths

          Louder Than Bombs - Remastered

            This was initially an America-only release, combining all the non-album singles The Smiths had released up until that point. It's "Hatful Of Hollow" (without the BBC stuff) and "The World Won't Listen" combined and beautifully sequenced onto what was originally a lovely double album. There was one new 3 track twelve-inch released after "World" in England though: "Sheila Take A Bow" and its superior b-sides "Is It Really So Strange?" and "Sweet And Tender Hooligan" are on "Louder Than Bombs", as is an ever so slightly different mix of "You Just Haven't Earnt It Yet, Baby". U.K fans didn't need this record, but we all bought it anyway, for the sleeve and the sequencing. Sad but true!

            STAFF COMMENTS

            Andy says: The sun shines out of their behinds!

            The Smiths

            The Smiths - Remastered

            There was so much excitement and expectation around The Smiths' debut in early 1984. They were only two singles in but had already made a massive media splash with Morrissey's hilariously arrogant interviews. There'd been BBC Sessions and fans already knew all the words, riotously passionate gigs and much talk of the band coming to SAVE POP MUSIC from plastic, vacuous Eighties glitz; an Us and Them climate where you were either a disciple or not! In the midst of all this the actual record got lost somewhat, but three quarters of it is still outstanding. Nowhere else will you find "Miserable Lie", "I Don't Owe You Anything", "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" or "Suffer Little Children", but in "Reel Around the Fountain", "Hand in Glove", "Still Ill" and "What Difference does it Make" the band crafted classics that would last forever.

            One of the greatest albums of all time, but then you don't need me to tell you that! Again there were surprises: the sprawling power of the title track, the vaudevillian jokiness and throwaway lightness of "Frankly Mr. Shankly" and "Vicar In a Tutu" respectively, the swaying poise and drama of "I Know It's Over" and the murky psychedelia of "Never Had No-one Never". These tunes rung the changes but the remaining 5 were world classics: "Bigmouth Strikes Again", "Cemetry Gates", "The Boy with the Thorn in his Side", "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" and, of course "There is a Light That Never Goes Out". The whole thing was perfectly sequenced to take you on a proper musical journey. A truly beautiful record.

            The Smiths

            Morrissey And Marr Postcard

              One of a pair of postcards featuring classic Smiths photographs by Stephen Wright, produced to coincide with the mini exhibition of his Smiths photos on show in the shop right now.

              The Smiths

              Salford Lads Club Postcard

                One of a pair of postcards featuring classic Smiths photographs by Stephen Wright, produced to coincide with the mini exhibition of his Smiths photos on show in the shop right now.

                Visit Stephen's website to see more of his iconic Smiths photos.


                The Smiths were the definitive British independent band of the eighties, releasing a remarkable series of singles and albums between 1983 and 1987 that were both commercially and critically successful and which laid down a marker for guitar pop-rock that remains unsurpassed. Disc 1 of "The Sound Of The Smiths" comprises 23 tracks and presents all the Smiths' single releases, reinstating singles that were scheduled though eventually unreleased ("Still Ill" and "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby") plus European only singles such as "Barbarism Begins At Home" and "The Headmaster Ritual". The core of disc one, however, is that matchless run of singles from their first Rough Trade 7" single "Hand In Glove" through to "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me". The second disc features a further 22 tracks including rare B-sides, tracks that were exclusive to 12" releases and selected live recordings. Among the rarities are the Troy Tate produced "Pretty Girls Make Graves" and "What's The World", a cover of a track from the fellow Manchester band James, recorded live at Barrowlands, Glasgow.

                TRACKLISTING:
                CD1
                1 Hand In Glove
                2 This Charming Man
                3 What Difference Does It Make? (BBC Peel Session Version)
                4 Still Ill
                5 Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
                6 William It Was Really Nothing
                7 How Soon Is Now?
                8 Nowhere Fast
                9 Shakespeare's Sister
                10 Barbarism Begins At Home (7" Version)
                11 That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
                12 The Headmaster Ritual
                13 The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
                14 Bigmouth Strikes Again
                15 There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
                16 Panic
                17 Ask
                18 You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby (World Won't Listen Version)
                19 Shoplifters Of The World Unite
                20 Sheila Take A Bow
                21 Girlfriend in A Coma
                22 I Started Something I Couldn't Finish
                23 Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me

                CD2
                1 Jeane
                2 Handsome Devil (Live at Manchester Hacienda 04/02/83)
                3 This Charming Man (New York Vocal),
                4 Wonderful Woman
                5 Back To The Old House
                6 These Things Take Time
                7 Girl Afraid,
                8 Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
                9 Stretch Out And Wait
                10 Oscillate Wildly (Instrumental)
                11 Meat Is Murder (Live at Oxford Apollo 18/03/85)
                12 Asleep
                13 Money Changes Everything
                14 The Queen Is Dead,
                15 Vicar In A Tutu
                16 Cemetery Gates
                17 Half A Person
                18 Sweet And Tender Hooligan
                19 Pretty Girls Make Graves (Troy Tate Version)
                20 Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
                21 What's The World? (Live at Barrowlands Glasgow 25/09/85)
                22 London (Live at National Ballroom Kilburn London 23/10/86)


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