The Smiths/Morrissey: Top 50 Songs

First posted 2/7/2020.

The Smiths left to right: Andy Rourke, Morrissey, Johnny Marr, and Mike Joyce; image from Wikipedia.org

The Smiths were a British indie rock group who only lasted five years (1982-1987), but had a significant impact. The band was comprised of Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass), and Mike Joyce (drums). Craig Gannon was a guitarist with the band in 1986. Morrissey went on to a successful solo career after the band broke up. Marr worked with other bands, most notably The The (88-94) and Electronic (89-98), recorded a couple of solo albums (13-14), did session work with Beck, Bryan Ferry, Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads and others and produced Modest Mouse (06-09). The Smiths’ 1986 album The Queen is Dead is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time.

Awards (The Smiths):

Awards (Morrissey):

Top 50 Songs This list includes material by the Smiths and Morrissey as a solo artist (noted in parentheses). Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. Songs which hit #1 on various charts are noted. (Click for codes to singles charts.) DMDB Top 5%: 1. How Soon Is Now? (1984) 2. This Charming Man (1983) 3. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (1986) DMDB Top 10%: 4. Everyday Is Like Sunday (Morrissey, 1988) 5. The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get (Morrissey, 1994) #1 MR DMDB Top 20%: 6. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now (1984) 7. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want (1984) 8. Irish Blood, English Heart (Morrissey, 2004) 9. Suedehead (Morrissey, 1988) 10. William It Was Really Nothing (1984) 11. Panic (1986) 12. Girlfriend in a Coma (1987) 13. Hand in Glove (1983) 14. Ask (1986) 15. What Difference Does It Make? (1984) 16. First of the Gang to Die (Morrissey, 2004) 17. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side (1985) 18. Shoplifters of the World Unite (1987) 19. Sheila Take a Bow (1987) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 20. Bigmouth Strikes Again (1986) 21. Half a Person (1987) 22. The Last of the Famous International Playboys (Morrissey, 1989) 23. Stop Me if You’ve Heard This One Before (1987) 24. Shakespeare’s Sister (1985) 25. That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore (1985) 26. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (1987) 27. Interesting Drug (Morrissey, 1989) 28. Girl Afraid (1984) 29. November Spawned a Monster (Morrissey, 1990) 30. I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish (1987) 31. Boxers (Morrissey, 1995) 32. Ouija Board, Ouija Board (Morrissey, 1989) 33. We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful (Morrissey, (1992) 34. Tomorrow (Morrissey, 1992) #1 MR 35. Is It Really So Strange? (1987) 36. Piccadilly Palare (Morrissey, 1990) 37. Sing Your Life (Morrissey, 1991) 38. Our Frank (Morrissey, 1991) 39. The Headmaster Ritual (1985) 40. Sweet and Tender Hooligan (1987) 41. You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet Baby (1987) 42. Asleep (1985) 43. Paint a Vulgar Picture (1987) 44. Death of a Disco Dancer (1987) 45. I Know It’s Over (1986) 46. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (1986) 47. Glamorous Glue (Morrissey, 1992) 48. My Love Life (Morrissey, 1991) 49. Interlude (Morrissey with Siouxsie, 1994) 50. Hold on to Your Friends (Morrissey, 1994) Resources and Related Links: The Smiths’ DMDB Encyclopedia entry Morrissey’s DMDB Encyclopedia entry Johnny Marr’s DMDB Encyclopedia entry