Reviews (page 7 of 18)
This is a very Mellon collie album, but not always in a depressing or “downer” kind of way. It was a good experience, and very well executed, but not necessarily something you would put on at a party. But then again, neither is DSOTM.
Johnny Marr is awesome but I just cannot get past Morrisey’s whining.
I loved this record when it came out. Still do.
Near damn perfect. The Smiths' best album by a long shot. This album has many of their best songs and no real skips. I'm surprised to see all of the negative reviews. I hate Morrissey too, but c'mon this is a masterpiece. Favorite track: Frankly, Mr. Shankly 4.5/5
2025-09-21: I think I liked it and I thought that I would give it a 4 or a 5 but the reasons escape me. I slept well and was more conductive to enjoying music than other days, but I imagine I liked the style in general.
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I can acknowledge it's a great album, but The Smiths just aren't for me.
“So I broke into the Palace With a sponge and a rusty spanner She said: "I know and you cannot sing!" I said: "That's nothing, you should hear me play piano!" I spent years quoting these lines to anyone and everyone who complained to me that The Smiths were depressing. Yes, there's some morbidity littered about Morrissey's lyrics, but they were never depressing - there's a sharp sense of humour present in so much of what they did and it rings throughout this album, especially in tracks like Frankly, Mr Shankly, Cemetry Gates, Bigmouth..., and of course, There is a Light... I was 12 in 1984 when I first heard The Smiths - the perfect age. I overheard What Difference Does it Make on the radio at a friends house and my life was immediately redirected down an alternative-music-loving path that I still travel all these years later. For me, The Smiths came along at just the right time; I still love everything they did and play them often. Mercifully, I am these days able to separate the Morrissey of then from the Morrissey of now, although it pains me to think that the stubborn, joyless racist he appears to have become might always have been the real him, bubbling underneath the outward character that wrote and performed these magnificent songs. I still love this album, but I'm giving it four stars as, for me, Meat is Murder is their finest studio album, and Hatful of Hollow the best collection of their songs.
Off the cuff remark: in spite of recent years and Morrissey proving himself to be an absolute plum there is no getting away from this being a masterful album utterly deserving it's place on this list. Lyrically and musically just pop mastery. Standout track: depending on the day it really could be any of them. Every track glitters. Revisit?: it's been too long since I listened to the whole album, I will be listening again very soon.
A really nice album. Probably going to take a few more listens before I understand what all the fuss is about, but I enjoyed it.
Great rock album, a classic yet still original
Damn. For (insert obvious reasons), I want to clown this album. I want to say it’s not the best Smiths record. I want to say it isn’t a consistent effort. I want to say it’s overrated in the “greatest albums of all time” zeitgeist. I can’t. It’s so charming. Every song is so memorable and unique. And, damn it, Morrissey is the reason.
Hate Morrissey
- é difícil medir a influência de smiths, está imersa no vocabulário musical das pessoas - produção bem básica pro padrão dos anos 80, acho que pra dar enfoque na composição - embaixador da estética sad boys, e um dos maiores compositores dos anos 80, apesar das polêmicas
This was better then I thought it would be. After listening to other smiths recordings I had low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised.
He can get in the bin
not great
I loved the album before this project. Some track are bangers like I Know It's Over, Bigmouth Strikes Again and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out* and. Others are great in case of lyrical humour and beauty (The Queen Is Dead, Frankly, Mr. Shankly, Cemetry Gates* and Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others). Basic 5 out of 5 for me.
I thought I didn’t like the Smiths. I really enjoyed this album. I believe my thoughts were incorrect. Chose “Frankly, Mr. Shankly” and “Cemetary Gates” for the playlist.
I hadn't listened to this album before, I enjoyed it.
Magnificent, The Smiths at their peak.
Não consigo achar nada de interessante neste disco, nem muito menos nesta banda.
I liked Never Had No One Ever, but the album was a little underwhelming. Maybe it's just not for me.
Listen, I don’t feel good about it, but these are all bangers
Bangers.
Morrissey haters can suck it. This is better than anything the Cure ever did.
So I used to have this as a 10/10 and even tho I don't think so anymore, it's still a wonderful album. Really captures the essence of the band. With the gorgeous, lush arrangements, boyish lead vocals and Morrisey's poetic and dark lyrics this is really THE trademark Smiths album. The intro is one of their most bombastic and even kind of aggressive with that amazing bass and walls of guitars. I Know It's Over is one of their most beautiful ballads while other songs like Cemetery Gates or Bigmouth Strikes Again combine beautiful, summery vibes with deeply ironic lyrics. Again, it's just so representative of their sound. And of course there's 'There is a Light That Never Goes Out', maybe their most iconic song? I love how the song is disguised as a love song, but deep down has a very sad and suicidal double meaning. Would be a perfect closer to the album, but then we have to sit through another song of Morrisey talking about tits. The closer is kind of unnecessary, Vicar in a Tutu is a bit of a weaker song, and the chorus of Frankly Mr Shankly is a bit corny to me, but all the other moments here are either gorgeous, funny, depressing or all 3.
I LOVE THE SMITHS. I have never listened to this album fully, but I knew two songs already which I love (I know it's over and there is a light that never goes out). I appreciate the length of the album and overall it was just enjoyable throughout. No skips for me except maybeee the last one but it's not that skippable just not my favourite. This is my first 5 stars. I think the smiths deserve it if anyone.
Nah. mostly boring, with a couple of tunes that I recall from my youth, but not my thing
5/5. No notes. There just isn't a bad song on it. "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" and "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" might be my two favourite songs I've gotten on this project so far. It's just immaculate. The Queen is dead.
Pretty nice, one iconic song that I already knew lol
Yes, there is that increasingly problematic singer who remains an annoying elephant in the audio, but can we at least praise the greatness here that's of enduring credit to the other three? The music is majestic and really ahead of its time ("There Is a Light …" is a modern musical masterpiece), and the tonalities that Marr plays with from song to song sound as surprising as they did when this record was new. I should know—I first heard the album, which was my introduction to this band, played in full by a college radio DJ the night of its release. I was mesmerized and, again, putting aside the problematic singer, I still am. It must be noted that side one has its slumps ("Never Had No One Ever" is so forgettable I forgot about it), but side two is pretty much perfect. You may think it's the Morrissey show, but this is undeniably the sound of a band at its prime. Some contributions are bigger (and better) than others.
"Hello, is this the suicidal hotline?"
I think this is the last of the Smiths albums on the list for me. Relatively unfamiliar with them before the list, I have mixed feelings in general, but this is a very good album and certainly the one of the bunch that captured my attention the most.
I think the mood I was in made like this. I think it sounded ok.
Not a fan of heard them randomly a couple more times after I listened to this album, and I still did not like them l.
It was decent. I was reading reviews and this one caught my eye. I dont know who wrote it but this perfectly captures my thoughts and they deserve credit: "it's not really that bad, kinda catchy in a weird way. but it definitely is the soundtrack to suicide in some wussy way, like a sleeping pill overdose"
83/100. A classic indie pop/punk record that remains incredibly impactful and well-crafted. The album showcases exceptional musicianship and production. Despite being released decades ago, it still sounds fresh and relevant today.
Somewhere between a 3 and a 4/5 so I'll go with low 4. The songs all kiiiinda sound the same but I still like them. Not the last one though
Last song was weird, but I loved the rest (like Frankly mr shankly)
Delightful and somewhat surprising. I have always loved what I know of The Smiths, but my exposure is limited. So some of the vibe was different than I expected--less earnest and a bit more playful than I would have thought. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
the smiths' masterpiece although i don't care too much for the title track
For my money, this is one of 5 LPs that best encapsulate early 1980s British pop/new-wave (in my head I imagine that Morrissey detests the term "new-wave"). The Smiths were more a singles band than one who relied on their albums. Indeed, "Louder than Bombs," one of their singles collections, is perhaps a better demonstration of their mastery of that artform. But what makes "The Queen is Dead" so perfect isn't the singles, it's everything else. Yes, the album contains two of their most beloved songs ("Boy" and "Light") but the rest of the album slaps hard, as the kids today say. "Never Had No One Ever" sounds like it could have been from their debut, the title track rocks as hard as anything the band ever did, and "Frankly Mr. Shankly" will stay in your head for days. An amazing document of an amazing band. PS Morrissey is a bellend.
Both the music and the musician suck
Think I know every word!
just incredible, pure smiths! 4.5/5
Disclaimer: Morrissey is an asshole. The album is okay, Morrissey's voice is boring, so the regular, some catchy songs though.
Morrissey is a shithead, but this album is still great. Bigmouth Strikes Again will be in my head for weeks.
Very good album. 3.5/ 5
There is a light that never goes out is one of my favourite songs of that decade. The rest of the album wasn't as good as that particular song but it did have it's stand out moments
Not as boring as the morrisey albums.
I feel like all the songs just blended together. It wasn’t bad, but I didn’t particularly like it. I like the instrumentals on several songs, but I felt like the singing didn’t match the vibe of the music. Baker loved the drums though.
I liked a lot of the instrumentals in the songs, but I couldn't really get over the vocals - just weren't doing it for me. Some catchy songs, but overall it was pretty weak.
This was an interesting one. It definitely sounded cool. They ended a lot of their phrases the same way. There was also a lot of vowels “oooh”. There was more variety later on in the album. I like “Bigmouth Strikes Again.” “Some girls are bigger than others” is crazy
I might get some hate but I thought this was a total vibe.
I honestly forgot I was listening to this halfway through the album. It’s someone’s ~cup of tea~ but not mine. There wasn’t a song that really stood out, I just feel like it was there for background music. Not bad, not my favorite.
See my comment for the Beatles
There’s something about the new wave sound profile that I just kinda like. The driving percussion and jangly guitars provide so much energy and almost irreverence. Dark, aggressive, pounding. Just from a timbre and tonality standpoint, I think I would like to revisit this record. I like sad music, I guess. The production sounds a little thin for my taste, but that’s kind of everything in this style from this era. But I think it adds to the vibe of the record, so I don’t count it as a negative. While nothing really wowed me on the first go around, I think this album could grow on me. 6-6.5/10 Standouts: Frankly, Mr. Shankly There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
top 100 OAT top 10 of the 80s every day of the week - I think I’ve listened to this at least once a month since I was 14 lmao Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke put on matching GOAT performances, and even at his most punchable (which, Frankly, Mr. Shankly definitely is) Morissey has such an inescapable, sweaty charm
Why he so sad 3/10
UGHHHHHHHH
morrissey was literally just suffering from no bitches that boy did NOT know how joan of arc felt
Gloomy as hell but enjoyable and interesting
Don't worry sweetness I was only joking
Good
Hola chicos!! se viene review intensiva por obvias razones, asi que no me demoro más y comienzo: The Smiths lleva siendo mi banda favorita desde que con 12 años, cometí el error de rebuscar entre los discos de mi madre y encontrar este álbum, y a día de hoy sigo pagando las consecuencias. Este grupo ha significado mucho para mi, y para muchas generaciones de personas a lo largo de los últimos 40 años. Las letras atormentadas y específicas de Morrissey, junto con las preciosas guitarras de Johnny Marr, el cual es el único hombre que conozco que es capaz de hacer a una guitarra llorar. Por supuesto, acompañados de la sección rítmica de Andy y Mike. Y este último hace un maravilloso trabajo de batería en este álbum. El álbum, el álbum... "The Queen Is Dead" es de las cosas más grandes que se me ocurren a la hora de hablar de música. Desde su primera canción la cual le da nombre al álbum, nos queda claro por donde irán las cosas, pero aun así, nos sorprende más y más a medida que pasan las canciones. Canciones como "I Know It's Over" es una amarga delicia que te grita al oído todas las cosas que te dan miedo pensar al meterte en la cama. Como poco a poco, va creciendo hasta acabar en un descorazonador final. Después, canciones muy, pero que muy bonitas como "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" nos transportan al sonido más característico de la banda. Y bueno, el himno de los británicos tristes "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out". Con esta canción vemos a un Morrissey que tiene mucho miedo de volver a casa tras los ensayos, las giras y todo lo demás, porque le asusta encontrarse con la triste realidad; Que está terriblemente solo. Ahi no hay nadie, sólo él. Y con esta canción nos cuenta la historia de un amante al cual no le importaría morir junto a su pareja en un accidente de tráfico, si con eso hace que ese momento dure para siempre. Ah si, y mi canción favorita del disco "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" la cual tiene un precioso arpegio de guitarra que lleva siendo mi favorito de todos los tiempos desde que lo escuché por primera vez. The Smiths es quizás la banda mas influyente de la música junto a por supuesto, The Beatles (hay que ser realistas) Ellos son los abuelos del Indie Rock, y la inspiración de tantas personas. Bandas como Oasis, Blur, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, The Killers y un largo etc. Marcaron una generación, y esas preciosas letras han hablado para muchísima gente, entre ellas, yo. No se me levanta una ceja al decir que Morrissey es el mejor Letrista que ha dado la música en los últimos 50 años, y que Johnny Marr es de los mejores guitarristas de los últimos 50 años. Bueno, cualquiera que no se haya escuchado este álbum, debería. Antes de Morir. Gracias Mamá.
Típico que conoces a alguien y le preguntas que música escucha y te suelta "Nose un poco de todo", así que le insistes que te diga algún grupo y te suelta "Escucho the Smiths" y es en ese momento en el que te das cuenta de que estás hablando con alguien que está estudiando artes y huele un poquito a mocos secos. Que no se me malinterprete, me esperaba algo peor, no lo volvería a escuchar pero no me enfada que lo escuche la gente. Principalmente no me gusta la poca variedad del álbum, a excepción de la segunda canción que es British ahh song. También me pone de los nervios el "flow" del cantante por decirlo de alguna manera, ya que es como si Lars Ulrich cantará, no mete un golpe de voz dentro del ritmo. Es básicamente escuchar héroes del silencio pero él cantante canta un 6/7% mejor y molan bastante menos. Entiendo que fue un album influyente en el estilo pero compararlo con los beatles me parece probable, y eso que me caen mal. En plan ni si quiera es el mejor album del 86, existiendo master of puppets. Mateo no te ofendas, yo también le como la poya y los guevos a discos que no valen ni para colgar en la habitación. 6.5/10—>3/5
eh, alright
Love the Album
Отличный альбом с местами интересными гитарными партиями, хорошим вокалом Моррисси и депрессивными отголосками пост панка и мне показалось, что звук навеян cure. Первый альбом из этого списка которому я поставлю 5.
Dull
Thought I would hate this. I didn't like it. But it wasn't as bad as I assumed. Doesn't sound like poor punk garbage by any means. And that's sort of what I assumed.
I loved this one way more than I thought I would. I don't know why I'm so surprised in retrospect - on paper this album is a lot of the things that I like. For some unknown reason I was worried this one would be boring but there is a depth to this that simply demands your attention and definitely warrants another listen from me at some stage. What is at first glance generic post-punk by a band with the most bland name there could possibly be is full of rich musicality and bizarre insight.
Generic
This is my introduction to the Smiths. I dreaded listening to this as I figured it wouldn’t be my taste. I was right, but I still tried to remain open minded as I like to prove myself wrong. Unfortunately, not a single song on this album is memorable nor worth going out of your way to listen to. While it’s possible that the Smiths have music/ albums that are my taste, I’m not inclined to look into them. I also wouldn’t recommend this to anyone as a must listen to album. There’s much better music out there.
Great album. Hits all the way through
Oh, well, yet another record whose importance I don’t get. Sure, the lyrics are not run of the mill, but in music music matters. The songs, their rendition and in particular the singing are not particularly good.
Luxury music
the last 2 tracks deserves a FiveStars before listening. After listening 5stars are not enough
Can't stand Morrisey as a person but god I love the smiths.
Creo que hace mucho no me pasan tantas cosas con una canción como con Never had no one ever. Recién me estoy empezando a meter en el lore de Morrissey.
The Smiths: The Queen Is Dead: Its fine. This sure is pop rock stuff. 6.5/10
Their best album. Enjoyed it.
This album was so good! I enjoyed almost every song and this was the first album that really took my attention. I was focusing on the music and the lyrics and it was a blast! I feel except for Vicar in a Tutu and SGABTO there were no misses and these weren't bad, but they felt that they don't belong on this album. Other than that it was a really good listen. I have two favourites here I Know It's Over and There is a Light. I would rate this album 4.6/5
8.8
Never really got into The Smiths, it was a decent enough album but I don't think I'll rush back to it
Some serious bangers on this. Been a long time since I heard it and was assuming I’d give it a straight 5 but not quite as good as I remembered
Brooding, Moody, original Emo band other than The Cure. Hearing lots of callbacks that I heard from Craft Spells. I would have been listening to this in the 80s had I known about it.
Quintessentially 80's, but at least The Smiths have something to say. Quite a few songs seem to be critical of various people or types of people. Some of them are quite funny, particularly Cemetry Gates and Vicar in a Tutu, which I think are my favorites on this album. Funny how nothing seems to change in this world. Now more than ever are there religious charlatans seeking the spotlight for money while being the most deplorable sinners out of the spotlight. Vicar in a Tutu is expressing exactly that. Other songs are quite angsty. 80's emo music for sure, but it's a nice balance between edgy teenage angst woe is me and a valid commentary on the world. I tend to be a bit more drawn to their commentary than the angsty part, but it may also depend on my mood. I wasn't sold at first as The Queen is Dead was just way too 80's for me, but I liked the album further we went.
The Smiths are a good example of a band that is instantly recognizable based on a singer with a sound and a guitarist with a penchant for catchy hooks. So, in that vein, I am going to invoke a band with similar dynamics: Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne. Singer with a sound? Check. Guitarist with hooks? Check. Beloved by Satan? Bingo.
One album is a lot of Morrissey
The Smiths always sound the same. Which can be a good thing, but for me it's a bit monotonous
Pas mauvais, mais pas pour moi.
Perfect jangly pop. There’s no universe where I give this album anything less than a 5. Is There Is A Light the perfect pop song? Favorite tracks: Cemetry Gates, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Bra til å montera seng
I don’t know how diehard Smiths fans rank this album, but it’s my favorite, probably because it’s the first one I heard.
DISCAZO PAPAAA aguanten los smiths, me trae recuerdos y sabor a mi adolescencia tardía y buenos momentos, de los primeros discos que me regalaron en CD y que de vez en cuando pongo un fin de semana
Esooooo aguante Morrissey
Still don’t really get the adulation. Loses a point for Morrissey being a cock.
Meh like some
I cant stand Morrissey and his whiney lyrics and voice. Maybe you need to be British to fully get it. But to me hes just another dude with decent music behind him who cant sing or stay on time
Pass
Not the best Smiths album, but if you need a little Smiths in your life, it gets the job done.
I used to listen to the Smiths back in 2018 and 2020. This album especially, although I don't think I had ever listened to the album in full. Glad to get round to it finally. The Queen is Dead - what a way to open it. Frankly, Mr Shankly is a bit annoying tbh but I still love it. Never Had No One Ever, Cemetry Gates are very solid. Bigmouth Strikes Again vs There Is a Light - how to choose between them? Surely my favourite Smiths songs. I had not known that Johnny Marr and Morrisey were a part of the immediate Irish diaspora. I knew there was something slightly off for them as English personas. Anyway, a fantastic album, probably around 4.5* but I, for some reason, cannot give it 5*
Ihan hyvä
All I knew about The Smiths beforehand was that Morrissey is a terrible person. I ended up loving this album, it’s just too good in my opinion to disregard it. Andy Rourke’s bass playing is amazing throughout and the songwriting is extremely strong. I’ve thought about the nature of consuming art made by bad people, and what I currently think is this, though it may change: You know your own morals and enjoying art by problematic artists doesn’t mean anything about you as long as you can acknowledge the artist did wrong. Some art is too good for me to not enjoy, and this album is an example of that. 4/5
Its ok
Love it !
A fairly good album, overall, with some of The Smiths' best work. There are a few filler tracks, however, so I can't quite give it a 5.
I actually liked the Morissey albums better than this.
Pretty solid album in my opinion. Very cohesive and consistent. I enjoyed it - the obvious standout being "There is a Light that Never Goes Out."
One of the greatest albums ever made
When the songs are good, they are stellar but when they are bad, they are terrible. Overall, the 6 incredible songs earn a 4, couldn't give it a 5 because the bad songs are so bad and also Morrissey is insufferable.
Boring
My first DNF. It’s not on Spotify, and dear lord it was not worth the extra effort to listen on YouTube. It’s rare that an artist or group lives up to its reputation but this is an incredible exhibition of complaining over middle of the road jangly guitars. Blergh
3/6
It's pretty good but just wasn't my vibe today. Bumping to 3* to compensate since I might have enjoyed this more another day.
It's alright, there's something I really enjoy about his voice. Favourite track is There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.
Low 4 for me. I liked the instrumental, but overall I felt the songs were a bit too slow for my taste.
dude is just moanin & groanin every song. nice.
Some straight up classics on here. Epitomizes 80’s alt/goth/emo before there were such things
Welcome to the Jangle. Я люблю хіти The Smiths і досить спокійний до їх творчості в цілому. Цей альбом найхитовіший та й загалом мабуть найкращий. Морріссі дуже пасує ця музика чи навпаки)
имба.
I liked this! Put me in the fall spirit.
Pretty solid, tho it's The Smiths and I already like it so I'm biased to talk about it. Would probably listen to it again. The smiths also smell like cigarretes
Yep this definitely sounds like the smiths
Just okay.
- some of the most pleasant music and some of the least pleasant lyrics on the planet. something tells me morrissey did not truly know how joan of arc felt. ‘cemetery gates’ and ‘a light’ are familiar to me, of course. entirely perplexed on the point of ‘some girls are bigger than others’. overall, i do like the sound of the album, but the lyrics are just a grimace.
Toujours partagé sur les Smiths entre l’adoration et un certain ennui. “Bigmouth Strikes Again” est génial, “There is a light that never goes out” est très haut dans mon top personnel, ça penche donc vers un chef d’oeuvre à 5. Mais des moments moins intéressants, le chant qui peut lasser à la longue, beaucoup de manières, ça finit par plomber l’écoute sur la longueur. Et Morrissey a l’air d’être un sacré connard. Mais restons sérieux, c’est du très bon boulot et si tous les albums n’avaient qu’une chanson de la trempe des meilleures de cet album, ce serait déjà beaucoup.
I think people are scared to realize that The Smiths did what the Beatles did for indie rock, as in not invent the genre but redefined what a band could do in said genre to shape the future of it forever. And this album is a perfect example. It's one of my favorite albums of all time, an album I've listened to front and back time after time again. An album that makes me think "Man I was a depressed little bastard in high school in the year 2015" and makes me feel "Man many people were depressed little bastards since at least the 1980s." And album that makes me feel that I wasn't alone feeling like this and people will always feel like this and music helps to find and connect. I truly believe that Morrissey and Johnny Marr are the alt-rock/indie version of Lennon/McCartney. Many songs, including most of not this entire album, are perfect examples. In my honest opinion, it is a near, if not, perfect album for the genre. Now, if Morrissey wasn't such a raging cunt......
The 1 Star is for me putting up with this drivel - reaffirms my loathing of Morrissey.
A classic
It's good but nowhere near as good as Meat is Murder
Wenn ich richtig zähle, das neunte Album auf der Liste, das ich schon kannte. Hatte es deutlich eintöniger in Erinnerung, war postiv überrascht, wenn man sich durch die ersten Songs durchgekämpft hat, ist es gar nicht so schlecht. Trotzdem, seine Stimme nervt und ich weiß nicht, was ich mit den Lyrics anfangen soll. Die Panflöte oder was das ist in TIALTNGO ist das Beste am Album.
Have never knowingly listened to the Smiths before! Really liked and wish I had grown up with this. Lyrics fab. A little dreary and jangle pop acoustic for my preference?
If this was re-recorded with someone who could sing, this album would be phenomenal
Smiths good, me likey
Just kinda vibey 80s, but not really memorable.
Groovy Beats
Already listened
Loved it
Fuck Morrissey, the arrogant cunt.
Solid album. 4/5
Enjoying it more than I expected. Individually songs don't overly grip me, but works together as a while album incredibly. Catchy
89/1001. I wonder how all of the reviews do far have missed the point of this album, which of course is the undeniable fact that Morrissey & The Smiths foresaw and predicted Princess Diana's death and the message is hidden all over the place, in the cover, the group photo, the lyrics. Oh, and it apparently is also linked to the death of Jayne Mansfield as well. Here is some solid proof: - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” and the Underpass: The song talks about a car crash with a loved one, and contains the line “darkened underpass” — eerily like the Alma Tunnel, where Princess Diana died. There is a Flame of Liberty memorial (a light that never goes out) above the crash site. The song was only ever released as a single in France, where the accident happened. - Cover Art & Film Links: The album cover shows actor Alain Delon in Le Passage, where his character dies in a car crash. It can also be connected to actress Jayne Mansfield’s fatal car crash: The character in the film lived from 1933-1961. Jayne Mansfield was born in 1933. Princess Diana was born in 1961. ... - Cemetry Gates: “Keats and Yeats are on your side / but you lose / because Wilde is on mine.” Oscar Wilde died in Paris, the same city where Diana passed away. - In the official lyrics that are printed with the vinyl edition of THE QUEEN IS DEAD, Morrissey's 13th word on Side 1 is "arches" and his 13th word on Side 2 is "smash." Diana will "smash" into the 13th of the "arches" formed by the pillars in an underpass. THEM WAS ROTTEN DAYS" is etched on Side 2 of THE QUEEN IS DEAD. It's a line from the film SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING. Princess Diana crashed twenty-five minutes after midnight on "SATURDAY NIGHT" and she died in the hospital at four o'clock on "SUNDAY MORNING." -In the film"No Place to Hide" A CD of THE QUEEN IS DEAD is handled in Building 31 while the soundtrack plays an unrelated song, EVERY LITTLE BIT OF MY HEART, whose title is listed in the closing credits directly after the words "Paris, France." Within three minutes of THE QUEEN IS DEAD and EVERY LITTLE BIT OF MY HEART, a woman's fatal car crash is shown. Diana, "queen of hearts" was killed in a car crash on August 31 ("Building 31") in Paris, France. Diana crashed while trying to hide from the paparazzi. The name of this film is NO PLACE TO HIDE. - In 2005, PETA presented the "Linda McCartney Memorial Award" to Morrissey. ... The first recipient ever of PETA'S "Linda McCartney Memorial Award" was actress Pamela Anderson. ... Pamela Anderson was born July 1. ... Princess Diana was born July 1. ... Before becoming a Princess, Diana's first official title was "Lady" Diana. ... Pamela Anderson was born on "Lady" Diana's birthday in "LadySmith." ... "Lady" Diana's death was foreshadowed on THE QUEEN IS DEAD by The "Smiths."... Pamela Anderson was born in 1967 on Lady Diana's birthday two days after the car crash that killed Jayne Mansfield. It goes on, read more at http://www.dianamystery.com/ Oh and the music?
Don't know why this works, but it does.
Kinda cool but I expected more
Not normally a fan of The Smiths, but this album was pretty decent.
Rating 5 Its interesting to hear the artists stream of words and writing in each song. I can see how he writes straight from his point of view and his own thoughts/feelings. Past the pub that saps your body And the church who'll snatch your money The Queen is dead, boys And it's so lonely on a limb Bro is really just talking about what he saw on his walk in London here. And it captures the exact feeling. Each song feels like a peek into what the band is feeling, and the singer himself has been feeling lonely on alot of the songs. Id describe his vocals as haunting but real and a bit soothing. Strange how the same feelings he felt then could still be seen in songs today. Timeless kind of writing, and its clear alot of bands in the 90s took inspiration from this band.
The Smiths at their best.
Great
brilliant both in terms of music and satire in lyrics, songs like frankly, mr.shankley are so funny Favorite track: there is a light that never goes out other picks: the queen is dead, bigmouth strikes again, i know it’s over, the boy with the thorn
omg vicar in a tutu is a 10/10 😭 finished at 10:29pm on august 10 2025
Also never listened to the Smiths before. Gotta say, for a dark/brooding sound, I liked it!
this was such a beautiful album, every lyrics made me emotional
Overhyped navel-gazing from a real asshole. Cemetry Gates is kinda a bop, tho.
The Smiths have never really clicked for me and this continues that trend. I don't like Morrissey's voice. The band doesn't play anything particularly interesting that stands out to me. Meat Is Murder and multiple Morrissey albums are already on the list, is more necessary?
I know it’s over
Brilliant album. Opening track wasn’t my fave but the rest were Morrissey at his best
There's a lot of things to dislike about The Smiths and Morrisey in particular, but none of them matter. Everything about this album just works on every level. The rythm section is great, the guitar work is outstanding, and while Morrisey is a huge pile of garbage, he sure had a way with words.
an old favourite!
It was aight
This album had a cohesive mood throughout but the songs varies a lot in how good they are. A few are great but most of them fall in the "meh" tier for my. Not bad but nothing I would seek out and listen to.
Awesome guitar. Great listen
Timeless sound
A classic.
good album but no more smiths please
Liked this one a lot Can’t dismiss the talent of Morissey even though he’s a total nunce these days
Very much a smiths album
Nothing to it for me. May be one of those acquired tastes. I have always heard about the Smiths and was interested to listen. Did nothing for me.
наконец-то альбом, который я уже слушала и который мне нравится, ура! ну очень хорошая красивая музыка, и моррисси так отчаянно мяукает, и инструменты отличные, ммм
Total Listens: 3 Well I guess I'm finally being forced to listen to this. On first listen, nothing really grabbed me except for the penultimate track, which is of course very very highly regarded in music nerd circles, and yeah, it pretty much lives up to the hype. The rest of the album sounded a lot happier than I was expecting, though it's possible the darkness is more hidden in the lyrics as is evident in "There is a Light...". There was one other track I really really liked on first listen, "I Know It's Over". It's slow enough to make the build feel quite meaningful and I did really enjoy the lyricism. On second listen, I really just found myself enjoying the songs a bit more. I don't think I have much to say on this other than it's just kind of a fun listen. I guess it does begin to drag in the back half with "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side" and "Vicar in a Tutu", but the last two tracks really do save it.
Although a very good introduction of their music, failed in overall acceptance. A niche band
Never really got into the smiths and Morrissey's behaviour in the last several years has done nothing to persuade me to change my mind
Rather boring.
again, trying too hard to be like the cure. But it was the 80's
This album brings back good memories!
Such a shame Morrisey is a monumental bell-end.
some of them super great, his voice just sucks a little
Was not a fan of this, there were only some moments of 2 star quality for me but overall a 1
Classic
Glorious, witty, musically perfect. Top tier album.
it's so over
I used this album as an excuse to actually hear an entire Smiths album, anything Morrissey typically has a half a song duration period for me. I can understand a lot of the artistry in the strings, and probably need a second or third listen to start appreciating the lyrics fully. Still, as I expected, personal and biased opinion, not very impressive.
A London wedding
Top 5 all time
Actually pretty groovy except for the few tracks i hated. I dont do 4s so. FIVE
Who doesn't love the Smiths although the first album might be preferred over The Queen is Dead
I don't know how this grew on me, but it really did. At first I really hated his voice. Horrible. Then I grew to love it. It makes you wonder.
never gave the smiths the time of day but this is good and i realize now i probably should have?
Take the 4 and get out of my sight.
Ughhhh I hate Morrissey. I hate the way he sings, I hate the lyrics he writes. I genuinely don't have enough time in my life to waste listening to this crap. The inclusion of this album and the at least one other that I know of makes me reconsider my involvement in this project. It's that bad. Would give it zero stars if I could.
Fuck Morrissey.......five stars.
Johnny Marr’s guitar work on this album is magic. Such a solid band.
guitars are great throughout. It grooves, it's dancy. While I dig it a lot. But it's not "my shit", and for it to be a 4, it atleast needs to be my shit. hard 3
I fell in love with the Smith's years ago after watching 500 days of summer, so how fitting it was my 500th album
Solid throughout, there is a light obviously stuck around but bigmouth and mr shankly also are quite nice
I'm afraid this album eats. Themes: Has the world changed or have I become too aware? Feeling lonely in familiar places, seeking refuge with the dead (poets). Wanting to be anywhere else. Wanting fame, to be great, and to be remembered by history. Loss of direction. „It takes strength to be gentle and kind.“ The album closer is stupid, though. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out would have been the perfect closer.. Morrissey still sucks, though..
hatful of hollow and louder than bombs are more essential but this is their best studio album
As is often the case in this list, I think there are better albums by the band/artist in question than the selected one.
Not my music
My first Smiths album and my favourite. Bought it when I was 15 - still holds up today. A banger.
To me The Smiths are the Beatles of the 90‘s. There is a Light That Never Goes Out, is an absurd ode to suicide versus a goofy Some Girls are Bigger Than Others. This is an album that if I put it on, I have to listen to the end. Magnificent.
## The Queen Is Dead: An In-Depth Review of The Smiths' Seminal Masterpiece ### **Lyrical Analysis: Wit, Despair, and Subversion** Morrissey's lyrics on *The Queen Is Dead* blend melancholic introspection, savage wit, and literary sophistication. The album explores: - **Political Satire**: The title track mocks the British monarchy with surreal imagery ("I say, 'Charles, don't you ever crave / To appear on the front of the *Daily Mail*? / Dressed in your mother's bridal veil?'") . Its anti-establishment rage echoes punk but filters it through absurdist humor. - **Existential Loneliness**: Tracks like "I Know It's Over" and "Never Had No One Ever" dissect isolation with raw vulnerability ("It's so easy to hate / It takes strength to be gentle and kind") . Morrissey oscillates between self-pity and profound empathy. - **Meta-Commentary**: "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" attacks the music industry ("Fame, fame, fatal fame / It can play hideous tricks on the brain"), while "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" addresses media skepticism toward The Smiths . - **Literary Flair**: "Cemetry Gates" celebrates plagiarism as artistry ("All those lies about Keats and Yeats / Wilde is on mine") , embedding Oscar Wilde quotes into the vinyl etching . Morrissey’s genius lies in balancing despair ("To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die") with irony, making anguish feel transcendent . --- ### **Musical Innovation: Marr's Jangle-Pop Revolution** Johnny Marr’s guitar work redefined indie rock, merging genres with virtuosity: - **Genre Fusion**: The title track channels The Stooges’ aggression and Velvet Underground’s dissonance via wah-wah pedals and a looped tom-tom beat . "Bigmouth Strikes Again" pairs punk energy with danceable jangle-pop riffs. - **Melodic Complexity**: "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" combines lush, orchestral guitar layers with a motorik bassline, creating a "hauntingly beautiful" anthem . "Cemetry Gates" uses upbeat folk-pop to contrast its morbid setting. - **Rhythmic Vitality**: Drummer Mike Joyce and bassist Andy Rourke provide propulsive foundations. Joyce’s drums on the title track are "aggressive and inspired," while Rourke’s bass on "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" adds music-hall bounce . Marr’s arrangements avoid 1980s synth-pop clichés, favoring organic textures that amplify Morrissey’s emotions . --- ### **Production: Raw Authenticity** Produced by Morrissey and Marr, the album’s sound is deliberately unpolished: - **Minimalist Approach**: Unlike the era’s glossy productions, tracks like "I Know It’s Over" foreground Morrissey’s voice with sparse instrumentation, emphasizing lyrical weight . - **Experimental Touches**: "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" uses a fade-in/out effect mimicking a "door closing and opening" , while Morrissey’s vocals on "Bigmouth" are sped up and credited to "Ann Coates" (a pun on Ancoats, Manchester) . - **Atmospheric Depth**: The sampled "Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty" intro juxtaposes nostalgia with the title track’s fury, framing the album’s critique of British decline . Stephen Street’s engineering ensures clarity without sacrificing the band’s live energy . --- ### **Themes: Alienation in Thatcher’s Britain** The album dissects 1980s England through personal and political lenses: - **National Identity**: The monarchy symbolizes a decaying establishment, with the title track envisioning the Queen’s beheading as liberation . - **Social Isolation**: "Never Had No One Ever" reflects immigrant displacement ("I was 20 and felt unwelcome in my own hometown"), while "There Is a Light..." romanticizes outsiderdom . - **Artistic Integrity**: "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" and "The Boy with the Thorn..." depict the band’s battles with industry neglect, framing fame as both corrosive and desired . Morrissey’s themes resonate as both intimate confession and generational critique . --- ### **Influence: The Blueprint for Indie Rock** *The Queen Is Dead* reshaped alternative music: - **Genre Legacy**: It perfected jangle-pop and inspired Britpop bands (Oasis, The Stone Roses) and indie acts (Arcade Fire, The Shins) . - **Cultural Impact**: NME ranked it the #1 greatest album of all time , while its lyrics became cultural shorthand for teenage angst . - **Enduring Relevance**: Tracks like "There Is a Light..." remain funeral staples, and the album’s blend of wit and melancholy remains unmatched . --- ### **Pros and Cons** | **Strengths** | **Weaknesses** | |----------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Morrissey’s lyricism: poetic, witty, and emotionally raw | "Vicar in a Tutu" and "Some Girls..." feel slight compared to heavier tracks | | Marr’s genre-blending guitar work | Morrissey’s vocals polarize: criticized as "monotone" or "whining" | | Cohesive themes of alienation and rebellion | Humor sometimes undermines gravity (e.g., "Bigmouth"’s Joan of Arc line) | | Production that balances experimentation with clarity | Limited mainstream appeal upon release (UK #2, US #70) | --- ### **Verdict** *The Queen Is Dead* is a landmark album that marries Morrissey’s lyrical genius with Marr’s revolutionary guitarscapes. While minor tracks hint at filler and its bleakness may alienate some, its influence on indie rock, thematic depth, and emotional power cement its status as a masterpiece. As Pitchfork notes, it captures "the ecstasy of emptiness" – a paradox that remains utterly compelling . **Rating: 9.5/10** **Essential Tracks**: "The Queen Is Dead," "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," "I Know It’s Over," "Cemetry Gates."
EAT MY ASS RNG MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have attempted to Get the widely and apparently easily beloved smiths record the queen is dead what has to be close to a dozen times over the time ive been into music, and ig ive made some progress? but often in a one stop forward three steps back sort of way where i increasingly lose patience with the supposedly blindingly self-evident virtues. its not something that happens often for me!!! i understand mass appeal, i understand Music Nerd Appeal, yet the smiths at least on a musical level remain near impossible for me to conceptualize the draw of. i think i genuinely prefer the morrissey solo record i just got for its lavish arrangements...johnny marr is cool but he aint That cool im sorry! my eternal stumbling block tho is the utterly inscrutable delivery of the vocal melodies, which after so long trying to even Understand the smiths on a base level, still make me feel like im the only person who hasnt been let in on a crazy elaborate society-wide lie....maybe it rly is the timbre of his distinctive but painfully terse and dry voice, it smushes and swirls everything together in a way that makes it impossible for me to pick out any actual Notes...theres no shape, no brightness, no color at all, its all the same neverending string of beige, with only the occasional repetition of words alluding to the band's supposed pop power. and since i couldnt give less of a shit ab the lyrics even if i Wanted to dislike the smiths as much as i do, idk theres just nothing for me here besides my appreciation for the timbre of a good jangly guitar...and thats not nothing, but certainly doesn't counter my frustrations. i dont wanna have this kind of utterly bewildered op anymore, ive come around on similarly oddly unintuitive stuff for me, i like ok computer now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but i rly dont think Any artist has so furiously resisted my engagement, left me feeling so entirely unrewarded, all while having the knowledge that i should be able to at least Understand something this beloved In The Abstract even if i dont personally feel it, and yet i dont! at all! fucking ugh.
I’m glad I listened to this twice. In the morning I thought it was just ok, but on my way home from work driving, sun shining, music blasting I really connected with the record a lot more. The back half of the album hit a lot harder for me.
I think I like this a bit more than Strangeways. Enjoyable from start to finish. But I find it perplexing that Johnny Marr found Kirsty MacColl's original backup harmonies so "weird" that he instead pitched up Morrissey's own vocals for something that sound distractingly weird. Have some respect for the woman behind "Fairytale of New York," dude.
Okay fine yes the Smiths are good, at least on this album. Morrissey has always been more of a meme to me than a musician, but yeah I GET IT. Some girls' mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers is indeed a lyric for which I must pay props.
YES
Morrisay - Horrible Person, very good performer and lyricist Marr - Expert musician Album, excellent
Birth of EMO A few genre defining songs
No, Morrissey, you don’t “know how Joan of Ark felt.” You are not that important, or important to culture or history at all. You’re super-self absorbed, and it shows in your singing. Really too bad your lyrical delivery obscures the rest of the band, which actually sounds great. Smiths without Morrissey might be a 4. With Morrissey, it’s a 1.
After meeting The Smiths halfway on their last outing with Meat Is Murder, I can confirm that not only is their follow-up The Queen Is Dead an improvement, but a surprisingly good record on its own. I was already into this band from an instrumental standpoint, as they continued to build on their jangle pop stylings. In particular, guitarist Johnny Marr was influenced by the likes of The Stooges and The Rolling Stones to craft some rather catchy melodies throughout the song, all the while the rhythm section of Andy and Mike kept it tight and bouncy. It certainly helps that the production sounds more polished in reverb, effectively bolstering the atmosphere. However, the most significant improvement here is from Morrissey himself. Where I didn't always enjoy his vocal performance and political lyrics on Meat Is Murder, on this record, he went for darker and wittier with more space in between his words to get his quips across. From the opening title track that lampoons British society as it is still rooted in the monarchy, to poking fun at the head of their label on "Frankly, Mr. Shankly", to the couple's walk through the graveyard as he points out her plagiarism on "Cemetery Gates", to Morrissey's own big mouth when he talks during interviews with the band on "Bigmouth Strikes Again", to the sheer absurdity against religious conformities on "Vicar in a Tutu", Morrissey knew how to take the piss out of everyone including himself. That said, it's not always clowning around, as Morrissey does take time to work out some rather somber tunes. "I Know It's Over" delves into loneliness that gives way to utter despair, and "Never Had No One Ever" offers a rather bleak perspective from someone who always felt was an outsider. Probably the two instances where the dreary and silly sides of Morrissey's writing collided effectively were "The Boy With the Thorn In His Side" which described his hatred towards the music industry, and the immaculate "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" about a reckless love that plays with suicidal thoughts to express the desire to be with someone until the very end. The latter ended up being my favorite song on the record, not gonna lie. The only song that I'm just lukewarm on was the closer, "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others". I get that it's a sexually suggestive song, and I'm not against that notion. But it is rather odd for this song to follow after "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out", from the rather genuine reckless abandon for love to the "astute" observation of women. Even stranger is how the song opens with the fade-in that is abruptly faded out before being reintroduced with the reverbed drums. I understand that engineer Stephen Street likened this intro to opening a door, closing it, and then opening it again and walking in. It simply feels weird to me, even on repeat listens. The song is still a bop though. So yeah, I genuinely enjoyed a Smiths album. That is a statement I never thought I'd say, because I didn't get into them properly before this journey due to Morrissey being a dick. But yeah, now I can count at least one record of theirs I can come back to.
This was a super entertaining album. It's not really rock and roll, but it's musically, I dunno, kind of weighty when paired with Morrisey's lyrics. Guitars and bass are really good throughout. And the lyrics, man, they're good. They all feel meaningful. Morrissey wailing "Oh mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head" was a peak moment for me. Standout songs were "I Know It's Over" and "Cemetery Gates" It's an album I probably wouldn't add individual songs to a playlist, but could see giving a spin when I'm in a certain mood for it. Pretty cool! 3/5
I'm a fan of the sound of The Smiths. Good album with good messaging.
The lyrics are lame, but this has very nice instrumentals and vocals.
Great album, just a couple of weaker tracks but most are bangers.
Simplesmente clássico, acho que dos discos deles deve ser o mais redondo, que por mais que eu não goste tanto de alguma musica, não consiga pular. Morrissey continua sendo um fascista filho da puta
Pretty good music, but maybe some songs sound like others a little.
Hard to get over my intense dislike of Morrissey.
+cannot go wrong with the smiths +listened to most of the songs already so this was just a session of me singing along +'i know it's over' stands out to me especially
Pre 1989 country music! Great sound and album
A great album. Classic Morrisey lyrics and great rifs from Johnny Marr.
Great Smiths.
Repeat listen
The Queen Is Dead is an album Ive listened to in the past because Ive seen The Smiths everywhere and like a few songs. But this album for some reason just doesnt have replay ability for me. The music is great I have enjoyed when Ive listened to the album but nothing about has me thinking about it and wanted to listen to it again. This is a great album and i respect everything jts done. Favorite Tracks: The Queen Is Dead, I Know It’s Over, Bigmouth Strikes Again
8/10 This is a very good album with, in my opinion, a very odd flaw. It comes out of the blocks brilliantly with The Queen Is Dead. It’s a quality track and sets the album up to be something very special, but then the following three tracks just sap that momentum almost immediately. If these tracks had been more evenly distributed through the rest of the album, I suspect they wouldn’t have had as much of an impact on the overall feel of the album for me, but I just feel like the track sequencing lets the flow of the album down a little too much. The production is excellent and there is a great deal of invention and musical interest throughout. People often speak glowingly of Jonny Marr, and I can really see why, but the unsung hero for me here is Andy Rourke on bass. He has some really great bass lines and just throws in little runs and fills every now and again that bring so much life to the bottom end of the album, it’s really delightful to listen to. They also really know when to build up a great harmonic blend of instrumentation at the right moments and that, combined with the tightness of the band set against the more fluid, flouncy vocals from Morrissey really work to develop such a specific and unique sound. This is definitely worth revisiting and I’m very glad to have heard it. The Queen Is Dead - This track moves. It’s got great momentum, the guitars are fantastic and the drums just give it such a great driving pulse. The tightness and thrust from the rest of the band really lays a bed for Morrisesy’s flouncy vocal to sit satisfyingly on top of. Frankly, Mr. Shankly - This is a bit plodding, particularly after the opener. Nice enough, although it is a bit boring, but blissfuly it does everyone a favour and lasts for just over two minutes. I Know It’s Over - This is nice. Sparse to begin with and ebbs and flows through its runtime and builds later on. Little bits and pieces of subtle interest that pop in and out like the strings and synths just add some depth to it too. It’s not really got the fire of the better tracks on the album, but is still decent. Never Had No One Ever - This one’s a bit dull. Not really a lot to say about it, to be honest. It’s meandering and doesn’t really feel like it goes anywhere. Cemetery Gates - I love the rhythmic balance of the different parts of this. The cadence of the guitar line is beautiful. The bass tone is really smooth. And this is pretty much Morrissey at his best. Everything about this song is just great. Bigmouth Strikes again - Another great track. I really like the choices Morrissey makes for some of his vocal lines here. There’s so much atmosphere and drive to this. It’s got pretty much every band member hitting it out of the park, with brilliant production that ties everything together with great clarity. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - Another really good track. There are places where the lead vocal is just a bit too flouncy for me, but there are other places where it’s quite beautiful too. The interplay between the guitar and the strings is really lovely. Vicar in a Tutu - This is a bit weaker than what’s come before. It’s not bad, but it doesn’t feel as together as what’s come before. There just feels like there’s something missing to tie everything together. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out - Well this is obviously a classic. The juxtaposition between the music and the lyrics is brilliant. Even the vocal delivery just straddles that line between extreme happiness and depressing melancholy. Again, this is an example of every part being essentially perfect at delivering on what the song is trying to achieve. So good. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others - That little volume dip at the beggining is really weird. This is another great track with plenty of momentum. Quality guitar and bass playing as usual. It’s not really as interesting as other tracks, at least in part due to the pretty rubbish lyrics. This feels a bit like they’ve released a track that they’ve not finished with some scratch lyrics. It also doesn’t offer much in the way of development or variation. Not bad exactly, just not as good as the previous tracks.
I love the Smiths. I'm the perfect age for them. I still will soon certain tunes and albums relatively often. Even back in the day though, this album was never my favorite. Apparently it still isn't. I know it's a classic and has all the hallmarks, but it has never landed with me like some of their other ones.
It was clearly Morrissey singing. And “Bigmouth Strikes Again” stands out. But otherwise it could have been any other New Wave album from the mid 80’s.
Classic Smiths
Not their best, but ok
Absolute classic. Could listen every day and not get sick of it. Top marks
solid mate
4.3 what a classic, arguably Marr's best guitar work faves: some girls are bigger than others, bigmouth, i know it's over
Take out Frankly Mr Shankly and Vicar in a Tutu and it’s basically flawless.
Some good tunes on this but I do find the smiths a bit one dimensional. Lyrics are clever “frankly Mr. Shankley”, but Morrissey is a bit of a douche. Other fave tracks: “there is a light…”, “bigmouth strikes again”.
The first bit of the album is great. Not a fan of the second half.
Its been some time since I last listened to TQiD and I still held it as my favorite smiths album because it had some greay songs plain and simple But... I think during this listen I realized I wasn't nearly as into it as I remember being, I mean it has There's a Light that Never Goes Out, Bigmouth Strikes Again, the title track and Some Girls are Bigger than Others, but the rest of the songs just kinda come and go or come, sound annoying and move on (Frankly, Mr Shankly and Vicar in Tutu should have never been on this album). Is it good? Obviously, but I guess I still struggle to care about Smiths' ALBUMS compared to their songs
“The Cure! Now with 10% More Self Loathing!” I hear a lot of The Cure here. Which makes some sense, considering this album was released several years after Cure’s debut. The name, notwithstanding, I would almost think they were a Robert Smith side project. I was never really into the Smiths. I recognize the talent, but never vibed with their music. That hasn’t changed, but I can see why some would place this album on this list.
I really like ONE Smiths song (yes, the obvious one,) and don't really care about the rest. My teenage depression needs were fulfilled by The Cure, thank you very much. I don't DISlike this album, but it just doesn't do much for me.
I mean. The music of The Smiths have been a source of great comfort to me for many years now. I don't enjoy The Queen Is Dead quite as well as Meat Is Murder, which I gave a 5, but it's still solid and has a few of their greatest songs. Those are the only albums of theirs I've had so far (not counting Morrissey solo records, which just don't do it for me), and I'm wondering if there'll be any others after this. Maybe their debut? But back to TQID. The run from Cemetery Gates to There Is a Light That Never Goes Out is pretty flawless. Bigmouth Strikes Again is probably my most listened to if not There Is a Light. "Now I know how Joan of Arc felt, as the flames rose to her Roman nose and her Walkman started to melt" are some of my favorite song lyrics ever. I wish they'd cut the final song. That might've been enough to make it a 5 star album for me.
loved this album first time around and delighted to hear it sounding still so vibrant and fresh after all of these years! perhaps the finest from the Smiths - five stars!
I’ve had several dalliances with Morrisey on this list and I always dread them. And the. I listen and come away thinking this is fine. The same thing happened here, I just wish it sounded a little better? Something about this album wasn’t as good as the others. I think it’s too much of a bummer?
Marr's guitar work is absolutely beautiful. Morrisey's voice sounds emotional and fragile in the right moments and is certainly unique without crossing over to annoying. The middle part of the album is a bit of a lull but the beginning and closing songs more than make up for it.
Morrissey's vocals are not great, but the songs are solid. Good feel. The National's drummer must have been heavily influenced by the Smiths since they're both over actively hammering behind pretty slow jams.
I know this album gets a lot of love from fans of The Smiths, but personally I preferred th first album. Have to say that Morrissey's lyrics are always amusingly wonky, though some here are very odd.
Listening critically rather than as a fan I can see how the more upbeat melody songs stand out on this album. Johnny Marr guitars and Andy Rourks bass lines are all to the fore. Some of the slower downbeat songs are not as strong (although I know it's over is a classic) and do go on. However another of my favourite albums.
Morrissey is such a boner but damn can he write a pop song. Andy Rourke is one of the best bass players of his time. I love this shit.
Biblical!
When this popped up in my queue today I initially thought 'I've easily listened to this album one thousand times from 1989 when I fell deeply in love with everything The Smiths...no need to listen...5/5. But I listened anyway, the first time since a long weekend in the spring of 2020 driving all around York-Leeds-Manchester, chasing some many of the sites mentioned in so many songs...the moors, Wally Range, Holy Cross Church, Rusholme, Still Ill bridge, Cemetery Gates, and so on. Despite all of this familiarity I am sitting here in shock listening...in awe of just how great this album is. Immediately I'm sitting in my 1979 Honda, east county San Diego, singing top of my lungs trying to impress my passenger, and day-dreaming of the life the lay ahead. Queen is Dead such a great opener. I know its over and Light that Never Goes out still bring tears. Even my lesser likes Mr. Shankly, Vicar in a Tutu and Some Girls hold up. I still think Hatful of Hollow is their best album but hardly a flaw here. Thank you Johnny Marr for asking Morrissey to play records and thank you both for creating the soundtrack of my high school years. 5/5
Huere schad wie do de lead sänger sini stemm isetzt. Eigentlech hätt är e huere gueti ond eigeti stemm wommer au dörs Albom döre ghört ond i The Smiths e eigete touch ged. Leider send alli songs öppe so ufbaut, dass t Instromänt vorallem en onderstötzigsrolle vo sinere Stemm speled. Das esch eigentlech au sehr guet well är jo guet cha senge wenn är nome es bez meh Melodie wörd inebrenge. I fascht allne songs tönt sini stemm rächt monoton. Wäg em Ufbau vo de Musig konzentriert mer sech jo au of die ond so werd s ganze Albom au chli monoton. Dass das ned e so mues si zeigt är i gwössne songs es bez aber nienet so guet wie i "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out". Klar es send au do ned riise intervall, es ged aber es paar stelle wo är plötzlech merklech höcher werd. Das macht s lied grad vel enteressanter. Natürlech darf au ned ehri Könscht z chorz cho. Es esch huere guet gpellt ond t Melodie esch scho au huere geil. Wär do nome ned das Potenzial ...
A great album for the chronically depressed romantics. Favorites: I Know It's Over; There is a Light That Never Goes Out Lovely: 4.5/5 (?) (+)
There is too much Smiths hate on this site. I get it Morrissey is a horrible person, but they wrote some great much as a group. Johnny Marr is one of the greatest guitar players of the 80's. I was not crazy about this album when I first heard it, but on ever sequential listen it got better and better and a different melody will stand out until you have the entire album memorized. There are so many catchy melodies in this album, it is so much fun to sing along too. There are very few albums I would consider perfect, but this one is definitely in the discussion. It has the perfect run time, some of the greatest melodies, every song is perfect, and some fun lyrics. Shame about Morrissey though. High 5!
I really enjoyed this one. I’d heard tracks 3 and 9 before but the rest was also great. Whenever the last song starts I think I’m getting a phone call.
ate that up
5/10 - every song sounded like a worse version of the most popular smiths song. I don’t love that song so these ones were just ok
Marr’s guitar is so so good, morrisseys weird vocals work so well, and as a result this album is fantastic. Some really beautiful songs on here
Perfect. No notes.
The Smiths are a perfect blend of pre-emo and post-punk. They changed the way alternative music was not only played and recorded but also received by the public. This album and The Smiths on paper are not a band or style I typically vibe with, but I am a huge fan of these guys and this album is so good, and maybe not even their best (honestly a tough choice). 8.8/10 100/1001
This is a fantastic album. Morrissey is an assholes asshole but there is no bad "Smiths" record.
Buenisimo y muy fresco. El mejor Morrisey. Me gusta la que dice que quiere ser una estrella y cambiar la música. Lo banco.
its fine. theres something about this band that irrationally pisses me off I don't what it is
Proper tunees
Favorites: The Queen Is Dead, Bigmouth Strikes Again, There is a Light That Never Goes Out Now, There is a Light That Never Goes Out is for sure the highlight of the record and honestly carries the entire experience for me. Without it, this record would be a solid 7. That being said, This is one of the group's best efforts, and it includes some of my favorite efforts in jangle pop..
Its alright. Lots of catchy songs but no real solid theme or vibe or idea, just lots of complaining with britpop vibes.
Favorite: Bigmouth Strikes Again Almost every song is a bop. They simply made a good album.
more than half of these are certified bangers. There are only like 2 in this that I don't particularly care for. Most of these are farrr too culturally significant to give it less lets be fr. ....AND IF A DOUBLE DECKER BUSSSS
Nice album with most of their big bits 8/10
Easy 5 star. Not my absolute favorite Smiths album. But still top marks here.
I want to hate it because Morrisey, but it’s not awful.
Sometimes I love The Smiths, sometimes I hate The Smiths. Averages out to a 3 for me.
Love it. Love the sound, the songs, it just feels great to listen to
4 p good except the last song
Pretty meh music, vocals a little sub par
This album is better than I expected, I give it a solid 1 star.
That is the Album I would have needed in my youth. But stupid ‚me in the past‘ was into Metal… The Music works brillant, as long as you do not google, what Morrissey turnes into. Fav: There is a light that never goes out.
The best way to listen to the Smiths is the best of the Smiths, the second best way is this album. Morriseys lyrics are funny and Marr is doing Marr things. No skips, highlights are title track, bigmouth and there is a light
El clasico
I really hate that the Smiths are kinda great.
Not my bag, baby. I tried.
A bit boring, not my taste. A few tracks have some quirk, but still pretty flat mellow pop rock.
Even with Morrissey being the way that he is, this is one fine piece of work.
All around a solid album. Cheery at times and somber at others. Album flows very well and there are no tracks that I am itching to skip. That said, the Smith's most upbeat and fastest songs do not come off this album, with the exception of There is a Light That Never Goes Out.
Ponderous and not terribly enjoyable
I see the goth inspiration and how important it was. It didn't really catch me until the last 3 songs though. Not my favorite The Smiths album but still good.
Inspirerede Blur, Radiohead, Oasis osv da de stod for at definere genren britpop og indie rock. Gode tekster osv og jeg er rimelig enig kan godt lide lyden af jangle pop.
Life is very long when you’re lonely 😅 The soundtrack of my student life 😅
I like the Smiths and this is probably my favorite Smiths' album. The Smiths do not need to have multiple albums on this list.
boring, uninspired
"Pass the pub that wrecks your body And the church, all they want is your money The Queen is dead, boys And it's so lonely on a limb" Probably my favourite album when I was 17 and still one of my favourites today. 5+++++ "Send me the pillow.... the one that you dream on..."
I love this album, have since the first listen. Going through this list has just reinforced how amazing a work it is. I think that it can be easy to fence in The Smiths (especially Morrissey) as whingy, goth, opposite-of-life-affirming, etc., but that requires a level of cynicism utterly absent from this album. It is a lyrical triumph, completely pithy, sarcastic; totally, perfectly witty. After listening to ~70 albums on this list I've come to adore the restraint shown in the writing, Morrissey without fail, nails the message in the fewest words possible (some girls really are just bigger than others). All this without mentioning how on point the instrumentals and production remains from the first second to last wail. I've listened to, maybe, a million albums in my life and I'm still amazed at how tight every melody remains. Like the writing, they literally never get old. 100/5 Frankly Mr. Shankly is still my fav on this album. (One last note, how refreshing is a 37min album from the list? I think there are more albums >75 mins than <45 mins so far)
I don’t like solemn British new wave bands. At all.
I do know Johnny Marr is a genius, I get how important this album is, but I wish I could be someone who enjoys this. I just don’t get it. There’s something wrong with me maybe
Not as bad as I remember, actually kinda liked this album tbh
Crazy they predicted that the queen would die
I was told the Smiths were much better than Morrissey's solo work. I was sadly misinformed.
light and bouncy
Beetje cliché soms
Thought this album was cool! I dunno. Favorite track - some girls are bigger than others 7/10
It feels like the right time of the year for The Smiths. A cold July; wet out, sky slow to brighten – daylight hours an impressionist vista of bruised purples and blue, jagged clouds bisecting the occasional window of pale blue sky. I’m projecting onto the weather a melancholy that this album is more than capable of communicating come rain or shine … at best it’s a lazy on my part (pathetic fallacy, hack!). At worst, unchecked, it’s a risk I’ll ignore everything that’s joyous about “The Queen is Dead”. About that … First things first, “There is a light that never goes out”. A song I might have known since the age of 10 but had never fully clicked with until feeling legitimately lovesick when first getting together with Fleur (“getting together” over “dating” because that’s what it was; decisive). I remember craving, viscerally, that five note run; sitting on a bed in a Helsinki hotel (Kamppi, soviet brutalist facade) listening to it through the trebly speakers of a company laptop like the violins might eventually give me answers to feelings I couldn’t yet corral into questions. That song would be performed as our first dance, wonderfully, by members of the band I was in at the time. In the memory of that moment, surrounded by family and friends (and interrupted, charmingly, by our scene-stealing daughter) there is nothing but happiness. While “There is a light…” might have the sort of emotional dexterity to suit any number of occasions (comfortably handling a spectrum ranging melancholy—celebratory), it hadn’t until now occurred to me how perfectly “Cemetery Gates” recalls the day I met Fleur, July 22 2013: “A dreaded sunny day, so I met you at the cemetery gates. Keats and Yeats are on your side.” On that day, a sunny one early in July 2013, walking around the cemetery nearby Old Street, it was Blake I’d visited. I told Fleur about it. As first impressions go, it perhaps wasn’t as slickly intellectual as I’d been aiming for; I got the (unpaid, crucially) job she was interviewing me for, anyway. Funny how nearby those two songs sit on a single record – the sort of sweet cosmic coincidence that, just now being realised, totally revitalises songs on a record I’ve listened to hundreds of times. I spend a lot of this record – and the multiple times I return to it – feeling grateful. Grateful in the first instance for the opportunity to reminisce that a collection of songs like this creates (“Frankly, Mr Shankly” catapults me back to year 11; “Bigmouth strikes again” to a musty practice room in Croydon). Grateful for each of those beats in a life; milestones to which, and no matter to what small degree, those songs are linked. Grateful too for what’s still to be revealed, what comes next (Tabby, it must be noted, likes “Some girls…” – a song admittedly primed for bedtime, “send me your pillow, the one that you dream on” – in a very serious way). And it’s there that you sort of have to stop thinking about it as just a record. It’s something embedded. Concrescent. Something you grow with, and something that grows with you. At once a scrapbook, an invitation and a reminder to never take any of it for granted. A light that never goes out.