Singles (The Smiths album)

Singles
File:SmithsSingles.jpg
Greatest hits album by The Smiths
Released	February 20, 1995 (1995-02-20)
Recorded	1983–1987
Genre	Alternative rock, indie pop
Length	62:32
Label	Warner Music Group
Producer	John Porter, The Smiths, Roger Pusey, Dale "Buffin" Griffin and Stephen Street
The Smiths compilations chronology
...Best II (1992)...Best II1992 Singles (1995) The Very Best of The Smiths (2001)The Very Best of The Smiths2001

Singles is the seventh compilation album by The Smiths, pitched as a compilation of previously issued singles. It was released in February 1995 by the new owner of their back catalogue, WEA (Sire Records in the United States). Its highest British chart position was #5; it did not chart in the United States. Blender magazine lists the album among the "500 CDs You Must Own" on their website.

About the album

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Allmusic

WEA (now the Warner Music Group) acquired the entire Smiths back catalogue in early 1992. After re-releasing all of The Smiths' original albums and compilations and issuing a two-volume best of compilation (Best...I and ...Best II) in 1992, in 1995 they decided to celebrate The Smiths' reputation as a 'singles band' by issuing a singles collection of the band.

Despite says a collection of singles, only the singles released in the UK are on the CD.

Cover

The cover features a design made earlier by Morrissey but previously unused, and stars singer and actress Diana Dors in a still from the 1956 film Yield to the Night.

Spin-off singles

WEA decided to promote the album in the UK by re-releasing the "Ask" single with its two original B-sides, "Cemetry Gates" and "Golden Lights". The single charted at #62. In the United States, Sire decided to release "Sweet and Tender Hooligan", a single of rarities, to promote the album, with a newly designed sleeve by Morrissey. It failed to chart.

Track listing

All songs written by Morrissey/Marr.

1. "Hand in Glove" (album version) – 3:25
2. "This Charming Man" – 2:41
3. "What Difference Does It Make?" (album version) – 3:51
4. "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" – 3:35
5. "William, It Was Really Nothing" – 2:09
6. "How Soon Is Now?" (album version) – 6:46
7. "Shakespeare's Sister" – 2:09
8. "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" (album version) – 4:59
9. "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" (album version) – 3:18
10. "Bigmouth Strikes Again" – 3:14
11. "Panic" – 2:20
12. "Ask" (album version) – 3:14
13. "Shoplifters of the World Unite" – 2:58
14. "Sheila Take a Bow" – 2:41
15. "Girlfriend in a Coma" – 2:02
16. "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" – 3:46
17. "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" (album version) – 5:02
18. "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" – 4:02

• Tracks 1–3 - The Smiths (1983)
• Tracks 4–6 - Hatful of Hollow (1984)
• Tracks 6 and 8 - Meat Is Murder (1985)
• Tracks 9–10 and 18 - The Queen Is Dead (1986)
• Tracks 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 - The World Won't Listen (1987)
• Tracks 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14 - Louder Than Bombs (1987)
• Tracks 15–17 - Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)

Personnel

The Smiths

• Mike Joyce – drums
• Johnny Marr – guitars, keyboard instruments, harmonica, synthesized saxophone, string and flute arrangements
• Morrissey – vocals
• Andy Rourke – bass guitar, cello on "Shakespeare's Sister"

Additional musicians

• Craig Gannon – rhythm guitar on "Panic" and "Ask"
• Kirsty MacColl – backing vocals on "Ask"
• John Porter – slide guitar on "Sheila Take a Bow"
• Stephen Street – drum machine on "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" and synthesized string arrangements on "Girlfriend in a Coma"