The Smiths- The Sound Of The Smiths

Label: WEA

Reissued 1/31/2025, Originally released 2008

The Sound of The Smiths is a Smiths compilation originally released on 10 November 2008. It is available as both single and double disc editions. Morrissey is credited with having coined the compilation's title, while Johnny Marr was involved in the project's mastering. Disc one comprises 23 tracks and presents all the Smiths' memorable single releases, reinstating singles that were scheduled though eventually unreleased in that form ("Still Ill" and "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby") plus European only singles including "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 inch "Hand In Glove" to the posthumous "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me". The collection includes genuine classic hits such as "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now", "How Soon Is Now", "Panic" and "Girlfriend in A Coma" which marked the pinnacle of that unique creative collaboration between vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. Indeed, Morrissey's eloquence and proselytising was always matched by the compelling musicianship of Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce. The two disc format adds a further 22 tracks including rare b-sides, tracks that were exclusive to 12 inch releases and selected live recordings. Among the rarities are the Troy Tate produced "Pretty Girls Make Graves", "What's The World", a cover of a track from the fellow Manchester band James, recorded live at Barrowlands, Glasgow, originally released only on a cassette single and the live "Meat Is Murder" from the vinyl 12 inch single version of "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore".

Track listing:

1. Hand in Glove
2. This Charming Man
3. What Difference Does It Make (Peel Session Version)
4. Still Ill
5. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
6. William, It Was Really Nothing
7. How Soon Is Now (12" Version)
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
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
    
24. Jeane
25. Handsome Devil (Live)
26. This Charming Man (New York Vocal)
27. Wonderful Woman
28. Back to the Old House
29. These Things Take Time
30. Girl Afraid
31. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
32. Stretch Out and Wait
33. Oscillate Wildly
34. Meat Is Murder (Live)
35. Asleep
36. Money Changes Everything
37. The Queen Is Dead
38. Vicar in a Tutu
39. Cemetry Gates
40. Half a Person
41. Sweet and Tender Hooligan
42. Pretty Girls Make Graves (Troy Tate Demo)
43. Stop Me If You Think That You've Heard This One Before
44. What's the World (Live)
45. London (Live)