So what do you feel are the best opening songs to a Smiths/Morrissey album? (not comps or live)

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

For Smiths

1. A rush
2. Queen is
3. Reel
4. Headmaster

For M

1. Now my heart
2. Maladjusted
3. You’re gonna need
4. Alsatian
5. Jim Jim
6. I will see you in far
7. My Love, I’d do
8. America is not

​

edit: though A rush/the Queen is a tie for the 1 position. And Reel/Headmaster a tie for 2. I can’t really decide, The Queen takes #1 on most days, so maybe ….

 

[AtImber2022]

Top 3 Smiths album openers:

1. Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty/The Queen Is Dead (Medley)
2. The Headmaster Ritual
3. A Rush & A Push

Top 5 Morrissey albums openers:

1. Now My Heart is Full
2. Maladjusted
3. I Will See You in Far Off Places
4. Alsatian Cousin
5. You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side

 

[They Say He's Mental]

Smiths

1. The queen is dead
2. A rush and a push
3. The headmaster ritual
4. Reel around the fountain

Morrissey top 5

1. Now my heart is full
2. You’re gonna need…
3. Something is squeezing my skull
4. Jim Jim falls
5. Maladjusted

 

[Mozzer1980]

The Smiths

1. The Queen is Dead
.
.
2. A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours
3. Reel Around the Fountain
4. The Headmaster Ritual

Morrissey TOP 5

1. Jim Jim Falls
2. Now My Heart is Full
3. Maladjusted
4. Something is Squeezing my Skull
5. My Love, I'd Do Anything for You

 

[Anonymous]

smiths - headmaster
moz - alsatian

 

[Lucifer Sam]

My ranking of the Smiths' opening songs are in the same order as they were chronologically released, but the difference in greatness from one to four is minimal. "And the Church, all they want is your money." The Queen is Dead is such a lyrical tour de force, when you're listening to it, it's hard not to rate anything higher. The malcontent poetry comes out in a relentless torrent. But Reel Around the Fountain is one of Johnny Marr's truly mystical forays into genius.

Morrissey top three: Alsatian Cousin, Maladjusted, and Now My Heart is Full.

 

[Surface]

For Smiths

1.Reel
2.The Queen Is Dead
3. Headmaster
4. A Rush and a Push

For Morrissey

1. Something Is Squeezing My Skull
2. My Love, I'd Do Anything for You
3. I Will See You In Far Out Places
4. You're gonna need
5. Now my heart

 

[Gregor Samsa]

Smiths:
1. TQID
2. Reel
3. Rush
4. Headmaster

Moz:
1. NMHIF
2. Maladjusted
3. Alsatian Cousin
4. YGNSOYS
5. TTAAOTP
6. IWSYIFOP
7. SISMS
8. MLIDAFY
9. Jim
10. AINTW
11. Frank
12. WPINOYB

For some reason I excluded California Son.

 

[tbell1304]

I think it's easier to just rank all the Moz ones

SMITHS
1. Reel Around The Fountain
2. The Queen Is Dead
3. The Headmaster Ritual
4. A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours

MORRISSEY
1. Now My Heart Is Full
2. You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side
3. Maladjusted
4. The Teachers Are Afraid of the Pupils
5. Alsatian Cousin
6. Jim Jim Falls
7. Our Frank
8. My Love, I'd Do Anything For You
9. Something Is Squeezing My Skull
10. I Will See You In Far Off Places
11. World Peace Is None Of Your Business
12. America Is Not the World

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

For Smiths

1.Reel
2.The Queen Is Dead
3. Headmaster
4. A Rush and a Push

For Morrissey

1. Something Is Squeezing My Skull
2. My Love, I'd Do Anything for You
3. I Will See You In Far Out Places
4. You're gonna need
5. Now my heart

Just surprised to see you rate so highly Something is Squeezing and My Love, I’d.

 

[Thewlis]

SMITHS
1. The Headmaster Ritual 10
2. A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours 10
3. The Queen Is Dead 9,5
4. Reel Around The Fountain 9,5

MORRISSEY
1. Now My Heart Is Full 10
2. Alsatian Cousin 9
3. Maladjusted 9
4. You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side 8,5
5. I Will See You In Far Off Places 8
6. The Teachers Are Afraid of the Pupils 8
7. Jim Jim Falls 8
8. Our Frank 7,5
9. My Love, I'd Do Anything For You 7,5
10. Something Is Squeezing My Skull 7
11. World Peace Is None Of Your Business 6,5
12. America Is Not the World 6

 

[Raymonde]

The Smiths

1 The Headmaster Ritual
2 Reel Around The Fountain
3 The Queen Is Dead
4 A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours

Morrissey

1 Alsatian Cousin
2 Our Frank
3 Now My Heart Is Full
4 The Teachers Are Afraid Of The Pupils
5 You’re Gonna Need Someone On Your Side
6 Maladjusted
7 Jim Jim Falls
8 America Is Not The World
9 My Love, I’d Do Anything For You
10 Morning Starship
11 I Will See You In Far Off Places
12 World Peace Is None Of Your Business
13 Something Is Squeezing My Skull

 

[Anonymous]

Headmaster
Queen
A Rush
Reel

Alsatian
(Piccadilly)
Gonna need
(Veronica)
Skull
World peace
Frank
America
My love
Now my heart
Maladjusted
(Morning Starship)
Jim Jim
Far-off
Teachers

 

[Surface]

Just surprised to see you rate so highly Something is Squeezing and My Love, I’d.

I think I've said before (I may not of though) that it's the music that hooks me first and the lyrics after and both of those are really punchy. Reels not punchy but I'd never heard anything so melodic and beautiful before I heard that. I first heard Something on Jools Holland and just thought WOW!!

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

I think I've said before (I may not of though) that it's the music that hooks me first and the lyrics after and both of those are really punchy. Reels not punchy but I'd never heard anything so melodic and beautiful before I heard that. I first heard Something on Jools Holland and just thought WOW!!

Speaking of ‘punchy’ and maybe it’s why it’s being chosen, I’m surprised to see Headmaster rated so highly. Been interesting these posts.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Headmaster
Queen
A Rush
Reel

Alsatian
(Piccadilly)
Gonna need
(Veronica)
Skull
World peace
Frank
America
My love
Now my heart
Maladjusted
(Morning Starship)
Jim Jim
Far-off
Teachers

And why do rate Veronica so highly before you even hear the rest of the album ? Maybe there’s a song on it that would be a better opener than the one chosen by M?

 

[gordyboy9]

all great songs in their own right,no need to rank them.

 

[Oh my]

I won't vote for The Smiths because it does no longer exist, but...
If Morrissey is playing live and I am there... This Charming Man would be an excellent choice for opening... The Queen is Dead too.
But probably because they have that upbeat tone + the obvious bonus of nostalgia.

Everyday is like Sunday would be a good choice too... mostly because of the same reasons.
It's not that they are my favorites, but I like it when a gig opens with a very upbeat song... and mostly a "hit".
Other than that.... I would ALSO like a strange surprise, like opening with his cover of the Dolls' Trash.... damn, he used to play an amazing version and it would be nice as the very first song.

 

[Eldritch]

Morrissey:

1. Now My Heart Is Full -- as an album opener this is a tough one for any artist to beat, but in Morrissey's oeuvre it's in a calss of its own
2. Maladjusted -- how can an album with such a strong opener end up being so listless?
3. Teachers Are Afraid of the Pupils -- another strong opener to a middling album. Love the dramatic air of despair hanging over it
4. Something is Squeezing My Skull -- his most energetic start to a solo album
5. You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side -- works well as a statement of intent which signalled that the lean years were over

 

[Deleted member 30524]

I’m very surprised to see how highly
Maladjusted ad teachers are flying up the charts