Track Listing

1. Hand In Glove
2. This Charming Man
3. What Difference Does It Make
4. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
5. William It Was Really Nothing
6. How Soon Is Now
7. Shakespeare's Sister
8. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
9. Bigmouth Strikes Again
10. Boy With The Thorn In His Side
11. Panic
12. Ask
13. Shoplifters Of The World Unite
14. Sheila Take A Bow
15. Girlfriend In A Coma
16. I Started Something I Couldn't Finish
17. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
18. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6327 in Music
• Released on: 1995-02-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
When you listen to this collection of nearly all the noteworthy singles by the Smiths, you might marvel over the fact that Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr collaborated and co-write so many astonishing tunes only to break up a mere four years into their creative burst. The first half of Singles is a relentless parade of top-notch emotional Morrissey punches. Then just when you think you're going to catch your breath, "Bigmouth Strikes Again" breaks out and the poignancy and wit of that charming man really hits home. From the shimmering "Ask" to the dark crooner "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" to the closing hit "There is a Light That Never Goes Out", the collection leaves one feeling wistful, for these tracks will never be matched. --Lorry Fleming

CD Description
A compilation of hit singles recorded by The Smiths, who have been cited as one of the most influential British bands of the 1980's. Essentially a very best of as it features ten tracks which have reached the top twenty including 'This Charming Man', 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now' and 'GirlfriendIn A Coma'.

Customer Reviews

Indispensible to any music fan's collection
The Smiths represent the turning point of 1980s music and, especially, indie. The particular brilliance of the first great indie guitarist, Johnnie Marr, took us from post-punk into retro guitar music and it is in a large part to him that Oasis, Blur etc owe their style (they freely acknowledge this fact). Partnered with the brilliant lyricist and perennial wierdo Morrissey the group produces some of the finest hits of the eighties. This compilation, featuring all 18 singles from 1983-1987 is the ideal introduction to the band, as well as an essential purchase for those fans owning other albums/compilations by the group. Highly recommended.

If you like this try: The Queen is Dead, the Smiths and one of pop's finest albums ever.

This Charming Band.
The Smiths are still a breath of fresh air in an era pulsing with money, sex and the need to be flirtatious to sell records.
The album is brilliant; the material is constantly strong throughout, always keeping your attention, a rare delight in even Greatest Hits albums.
From the first three tracks, arguably their most popular, one unfamiliar with The Smiths is given some insight; Morrissey's sad and longing voice blending perfectly with Marr's musical arrangements is a constant throughout the record, whilst the lyrical content is work of utter genius.
Even after a seemingly perfect introduction to The Smiths, the rest does not disappoint. Standouts are 'How Soon Is Now?', 'The Boy...', 'Ask' and 'Sheila Take A Bow' until track 16 where, like the beginning of the album, three outstanding tracks bring us to the end of our journey. 'There Is A Light...' especially is a perfect ending to a perfect album some might say. I'd be forced to agree. The beautifully painful chorus and the stabbing repetition of 'take me out tonight' makes for probably the best experience of the album.

i never take it out of my stereo!
after hearing 'panic' in a compilation tape, i legged it out and bought a smiths cd. i wasn't disappointed. this is simply breathtaking. morrissey's wry humour comes through clearly on many of the tracks such as 'bigmouth strikes again' and 'shoplifters of the world unite' and some of the guitar playing, such as the first few bars of 'this charming man' are incredible. each song brings something new. some of the moments in this cd seem to be completely perfect. i wish it went on forever because i can't find anything to match it.