The Smiths
The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982, consisting of Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums). Morrissey and Marr formed the band's principal songwriting partnership. The Smiths are regarded as one of the most important and influential British bands of the 1980s, and as pioneers of indie rock and independent music.
The Smiths signed to the independent label Rough Trade Records in 1983 and released their debut studio album, The Smiths, in 1984, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart. Their second album, Meat Is Murder (1985), adopted more political themes and became their only studio album to reach number one in the UK. The band's third album, The Queen Is Dead (1986), received widespread critical acclaim and has since been included in several publications' lists of the greatest albums of all time. Their final studio album, Strangeways, Here We Come (1987), incorporated a broader range of instrumentation and was released amid the band's breakup. Compilation albums include Hatful of Hollow (1984), The World Won't Listen and Louder Than Bombs (both 1987). The Smiths' most popular songs include "This Charming Man", "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now", "How Soon Is Now?" and "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out".
In 1986, the Smiths briefly expanded to a five-piece with the addition of the guitarist Craig Gannon, before returning to their original four-member lineup. Internal tensions, particularly between Morrissey and Marr, contributed to the band's breakup in 1987. The split was followed by widely publicised legal disputes over royalties involving the band members. Morrissey and Marr subsequently pursued successful solo careers. Despite repeated speculation, the band members have rejected multiple offers to reunite. Rourke died in 2023.
The Smiths pursued a back-to-basics guitar, bass and drums sound, fusing elements of jangle pop, post-punk and art rock. Marr's bright, melodic guitar playing contrasted with Morrissey's baritone vocals and literate, sardonic lyrics, which explored themes including social alienation, unrequited love and anti-establishment stances. The band's understated clothing and distinctive cover artwork, often featuring images of vintage film and popular culture figures, contributed to a visual identity that distinguished the band amid the popular new wave and New Romantic movements of the 1980s. The Smiths have been credited as widely influential on subsequent generations of musicians and on genres including indie rock, indie pop, jangle pop and Britpop.
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