Manchester quartet The Smiths helped pioneer the College Rock sound of the '80s, while also marking an end of the increasingly synthesized New Wave movement, which had recently peaked. With jangly guitars, witty and literate lyrics, and catchy melodies, The Smiths quickly became an underground favorite on both sides of the Atlantic. Between 1984 and 1987, they released four studio albums, all highly critically praised. Since disbanding, lead singer Morrissey has enjoyed a successful solo career, while guitarist Johnny Marr has been involved in many projects.
Guitarist Johnny Marr and singer Morrissey were introduced, by a mutual friend, in the spring of 1982. After writing their first batch of songs, the duo brought in Marr's schoolmate Andy Rourke on bass and drummer Mike Joyce, solidifying the Smiths lineup. The band were gigging by late 1982. In early 1983, Rough Trade Records issued the group's debut single, "Hand in Glove," which placed well on the independent charts. Follow-up 45s "This Charming Man" and "What Difference Does It Make?" climbed their way onto the official UK pop chart, cementing the rise of The Smiths to national celebrity.
The Smiths released their rocking self-titled debut in February of 1984. Released on Rough Trade in the UK, The Smiths nearly reached the top of the charts, peaking at number 2. Its US counterpart, issued by Sire, didn't fare as well, failing to reach the Billboard 200. The Smiths followed their success with Hatful of Hollow. Released in November of 1984, this collection of B-sides, non-LP singles, and radio sessions also hit the British top 10. Their true rockabilly-infused sophomore record, 1985's Meat Is Murder entered the UK charts at number 1. In their home country, at least, The Smiths were massive stars.
With the release of 1986's The Queen Is Dead, The Smiths remained exceedingly popular at home while also landing a much bigger American audience, with this third album breaking into Billboard's top 100. While maintaining the group's trademark tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, the record's more darkly romantic overtones captured the hearts of teenage outcasts the world over, placing them alongside fellow British bands The Cure, Depeche Mode, and New Order as the hippest UK exports of the mid-'80s. Meanwhile, a large-scale US tour earned them great respect for their impassioned live performances.
The Smiths' fourth proper studio full-length, Strangeways, Here We Come would prove their last. The artistic tension that originally fueled many of the best Morrissey/Marr compositions had become too strong for the duo to continue working together. Despite the breakup, the meticulous Strangeways earned The Smiths their highest US chart showing, peaking at 55. 1987 also saw the release of two more compilations. In February, the UK saw the release of The World Won't Listen, while its US counterpart was Louder than Bombs. Although their track listings differed, each disc featured more non-LP singles and B-sides.
Although The Smiths broke up in 1987, their catalog of releases has continued to grow ever since, beginning with Rank in 1988. Their lone official live document, it largely failed to capture the power of their on-stage talent. In 1992, two separate volumes of Best were released, with the concise and finely assembled Singles following in 1995, and The Very Best of The Smiths surfacing in 2001. There may never be a new generation of listeners who isn't exposed to the music of The Smiths.
Since the band's dissolution, Morrissey has created a very successful solo career, beginning with the alternative pop of Viva Hate in 1988 and continuing into the 2000s with two strong new albums in the new millennium.
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