What Song(s) Is Best To Introduce Someone To The Smiths?

[ACrackOnTheHead]

Hey there all. I'm a teenager and i'm in a band with two other friends. It's not a serious band, atleast not yet, and we all get on really well. We all like the same kind of music, though the main thing we share is a love of The Beatles. We all love the Beatles, they are all our favourite band. I love the Smiths (second favourite) and i've talked about The Smiths to them, so they want to listen to some of it. I've never known someone else who likes the Smiths, so it would be brilliant if they did. What song or songs would be best to introduce them to The Smiths? I was thinking How Soon Is Now but i'm not sure. What do you all think?

[Amy]

The Boy With the Thorn In His Side.
Shoplifters...
There Is a Light.

[Irregular Regular]

Reel Around The Fountain
That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
Well I Wonder
Stretch Out and Wait
Half A Person
Paint A Vulgar Picture
Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
The Headmaster Ritual
Cemetry Gates
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others

Any of these or any of the many others they recorded...

[Tibby]

I think This Charming Man is a perfect song to introduce someone to the Smiths

Some others

Still Ill

The Queen Is Dead

Well I Wonder

How Soon Is Now

Stop Me

Half A Person

Sheila Take a Bow

[still ill life]

I think Panic could be a good song too for this purpose.

[123xyz]

How Soon Is Now ?
Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
What She Said
Unhappy Birthday
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Bigmouth Strikes Again


I think these tracks act as perfect introductions for the uninitiated. I've found that the tunes themselves tend to prick up the ears of the casual listener more than most. I would ,perhaps, give the lyrically camp/theatrically forlorn songs a miss at this stage . From my own experience, I've found others exposed too early to songs like "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" , "Ask" , "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" etc., tend to end up fixated (irritatedly or otherwise) on that aspect of Morrissey's persona and overlooking the music itself.

For beginning listeners, try the songs that let the music breathe ,with Morrissey being merely another band member rather than the focus.


Good luck. If you get a chance ,let us all know how the experiment turns out...

[EPbabe]

I think This Charming Man is a perfect song to introduce someone to the Smiths

Yes, if I had to pick just one song, that would be the one.

[billy scissors]

What Difference Does It Make?

Their second best song.

[Tibby]

Yes, if I had to pick just one song, that would be the one.

The proof is in the pudding as they say my whole family knows this one.From my nieces and nephews and my sisters to even my mom have to sing along when I play this one.If your talking about introducing Morrissey I would choose Suedehead.

[still ill life]

Reel Around The Fountain
That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
Well I Wonder
Stretch Out and Wait
Half A Person
Paint A Vulgar Picture
Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
The Headmaster Ritual
Cemetry Gates
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others

Any of these or any of the many others they recorded...

Haha, you actually managed to mention 8 of my 24 favorite songs by them, and the 9th one is almost a favorite as well.

[SparkleBoy]

Hey there all. I'm a teenager and i'm in a band with two other friends. It's not a serious band, atleast not yet, and we all get on really well. We all like the same kind of music, though the main thing we share is a love of The Beatles. We all love the Beatles, they are all our favourite band. I love the Smiths (second favourite) and i've talked about The Smiths to them, so they want to listen to some of it. I've never known someone else who likes the Smiths, so it would be brilliant if they did. What song or songs would be best to introduce them to The Smiths? I was thinking How Soon Is Now but i'm not sure. What do you all think?

Start with Last Caress and then roll into We Are 138. Moz played a Halloween gig with the Misfits a couple years ago - so I think it'll work.

[peptastic]

It depends on what kind of singing style they like.
Bigmouth strikes again is usually a safe bet.
How soon is now? if they are one of those who might not like Moz's voice.

What difference does it make perhaps?

[Luke Action McClure]

How soon is now?
Panic
Half a person
Bigmouth strikes again
I keep mine hidden
Shakespeare's sister
Death of a disco dancer
A rush and a push...
Stop me if you think...
What she said
Last night I dreamt...

[Worm]

Hey there all. I'm a teenager and i'm in a band with two other friends. It's not a serious band, atleast not yet, and we all get on really well. We all like the same kind of music, though the main thing we share is a love of The Beatles. We all love the Beatles, they are all our favourite band. I love the Smiths (second favourite) and i've talked about The Smiths to them, so they want to listen to some of it. I've never known someone else who likes the Smiths, so it would be brilliant if they did. What song or songs would be best to introduce them to The Smiths? I was thinking How Soon Is Now but i'm not sure. What do you all think?

I think it would be more interesting for you, and them, if you did not introduce them to The Smiths. Instead, let The Smiths influence the sound of your band only through your playing. Might make for a better dynamic.

[leedoggpimp]

there is a light and this charming man seem to be the consensus favorites... i'd go with those or just give them a copy of the singles compilation.

[Emotional Guide Dog]

Anything from Louder Than Bombs.

I started with Sheila Take A Bow & the only person I've ever managed to convert to the ways of the Smith, I used Sweet & Tender Hooligan, Girl Afraid & Half A Person.

[myboyracer]

This Charming Man
William It was really nothing
I know its over
Still Ill
Some Girls are Bigger than Others
Big Mouth
Ask
There Is a Light
Cemetry Gates
Heaven Knows Im Miserable
Shoplifters Of the World

[almareallymatters]

Stretch out and wait

Let them hear it....stretch out and just wait....they'll soon be HOOKED!

Love Alma xxx