The Moz/Smiths Top 100, Part 153: SHOPLIFTERS OF THE WORLD UNITE

How do you rate Shoplifters Of The World Unite?


  • Total voters
    158
OK, enough! Bring on the next song, please.
Something like Southpaw?
Also, how's the bottom end of the chart shaping up?
 
a ten.

I'll never forget hearing this live for the first time in 1997. I nearly shit my pants.
 
7/10. Its not bad. Not his best but not his worst single.​
 
7 from me too. I'm kind of surprised at the number of 10s, actually. It's good, but not their best.
The start of the song is great, but the chorus starts to grind a little.
Regarding theories on what it is actually about, I do recall an interview where he says he is referring to shoplifting not in the sense of 'stealing a loaf of bread here, or a watch there' but more so shoplifting in a 'cultural sense'.
I'm vague on his exact words or what he means as I haven't seen the interview for a while.
 
The last of the Smiths' run of classic singles that began with "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side". Musically, it's brilliantly understated and lyrically it's alternately playful and profound. Best line: "Tried living in the real world instead of a shell but... I was bored before I even began". It's not QUITE a 10 for me though - almost, but not quite. A 9.
 
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