James Metcalfe
Unapologetically original and somewhat brash with their approach to the world around them, ‘The Smiths’ threw themselves into the mainstream of British society and, within a couple of short years, had totally revolutionised the entire music industry, engraining themselves into the culture of a nation for good measure. Their legacy continues to guide and inspire dozens and dozens of musicians even now and the popularity and messages of their music continues to be an apparent feature of the music today.
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#1 There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Rightfully being put on the end of so much critical acclaim and scooping up dozens of awards from fans and experts right across the music industry, 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' is the perfect legacy for a band like The Smiths to leave on all of us. Beautifully touching and tear-jerkingly sad, the desolate nature of Morrissey's lyrics marry up with the magical work of Johnny Marr's guitar to create a truly perfect tune.
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#2 This Charming Man
If one song could define the musical direction of an entire band, it's 'This Charming Man' recorded for the band's first album. Featuring classically ambiguous lines from Morrissey, the song's brilliance is stolen by Johnny Marr's instantly recognisable jangle sound coming from his guitar. Betraying slight hints of morose complexities, it is a song filled to the brim with depth.
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#3 How Soon Is Now?
One of the most famous and beloved songs ever recorded by the band, 'How Soon Is Now?' has won over thousands of fans ever since its conception in 1985. Recorded and re-recorded several times to accommodate its place on several different releases, whilst its hauntingly chilling tone might not be the norm for a band like The Smiths, that hasn't stopped it from establishing itself as one of the true cult classics of the British music scene.
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#4 Panic
Bemoaning the state of pop music around him in a way that only Morrissey can, 'Panic' is a tune that has both encapsulated a culture about as brilliantly as it has shaped it. Most recently placing itself at the forefront in such hit shows as 'Black Mirror', the sheer scope and influence of the song makes it such a triumphant.
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#5 Still Ill
A painfully poetic outlook on the alienated and depressive sides of living, 'Still Ill' is a sombre and powerful song that really captures the insights of Morrissey's mind. Featuring one of the catchiest tunes in the whole Smiths arsenal, 'Still Ill' is not only a regular feature on any live setlist the band has performed, but also has the right to call itself this article's author's favourite ever Smiths song.
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#6 The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
Being able to boast the highest praise of any Smiths song in being called their best ever song by Morrissey, 'The Boy With The Thorn In His Side' already comes into the list with plenty of praise attached to it. A lash out to the critics and doubters who have been at Morrissey throughout, its a song that doesn't disguise its anti-music industry nature.
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#7 Bigmouth Strikes Again
The lead single to undoubtedly one of the best albums ever produced in the history of the music industry, 'Bigmouth Strikes Again' is the shining encapsulation of everything brilliant in The Smiths. With pulsating drumming, a truly rocking bassline, guitar rifts courtesy of Marr that have gone down in guitaring history coming together with some of Morrissey's finest and funniest lyrics, its the perfect recipe for what is a pretty perfect song.
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#8 The Headmaster Ritual
The introduction to the band's second and arguably most political album in 'Meat is Murder', 'The Headmaster Ritual' is a powerfully open account of the corporal methods used by supposedly cruel teachers in the UK during Morrissey's time in education. The catchy, fast paced nature of Marr's adventurous guitar rifting ups the song's place in music legacy a good few places.
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#9 Hand In Glove
Proving to be what would start off one of the most famous and influential bands of all time, 'Hand In Glove' was recorded originally inbetween the band's second and third live shows and even before they had officially signed up with a record label. Reaching number one on the indie chart in the UK, it was the song that would put the band on the map in the music industry, winning plenty of fans right off the bat with its veiled references and complex nature.
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#10 What Difference Does It Make?
One of the first true hits for the band, 'What Difference Does It Make?' has established itself as one of the group's finest demonstrations of harmony and shared skill, despite being one of their least favourite tunes to date. Johnny Marr's consistency really shines through in this inclusion, holding up as the star of the song despite Morrissey's wailing falsetto parts.
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#11 Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want
Perhaps surprisingly only a B-side and a feature on a couple of compilation albums, 'Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want' has established itself as one of the most emotional songs in the music industry in terms of its rawness and sheer openness. A firm fan favourite and a song that has attracted plenty of covers from various other artists, its make up is somewhat simpler when put next to over inclusions in this list but that only serves to add to the delicate nature that makes this such a beautiful track.
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