Top 10 Best The Smiths Songs

1. There is a Light that Never Goes Out

   

   How could one rate this song below number one? It is the finest example of what Morrissey's lyrics are about: tragic love. The chorus is truly haunting, and I hope you can find it in yourselves to vote this song as the best of The Smiths' career.

   It's fresh even today because the greatest compliment to love is dying together. The haunting backbeat and soft guitar rhythm make this song stand out. Definitely my number one.

   Magic words were chosen. A poetic way of making sentences. Completed with a sound that never goes out of your mind. One of a million songs that will never be boring. Thank you, Britain. Here, Holland.

2. How Soon is Now?

   

   Such a creative song! It's like there's less singing because they're trying out different beats to make it as catchy and creative as possible. This is good and smart for The Smiths. Overall, this is probably one of their best songs.

   Honestly, Johnny Marr killed it on this song, and you will never convince me otherwise. Not only that, but the lyrics are very poignant. I wonder whether I would ever be able to forget them. Not that I'd want to.

3. This Charming Man

   

   My absolute favorite. Apart from "Ask." However, "it's gruesome that someone so handsome should care."

   Oscar Wilde would be proud to have written this little gem. Pure class. Mike Luke.

   That opening riff pretty much sums up what The Smiths are all about.

4. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want

   

   I'm glad this is moving up since I was the one who nominated it. This was also my first Smiths song.

   This is my favorite The Smiths song! It should definitely be in the top 10, come on!

   Makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, which is the greatest thing a piece of music can do.

5. I Know It's Over

   

   This song is very underrated. The disregard for any linear lyrics makes it very interesting. The lyrics rhyme in unexpected places and manage to touch on many insecurities among listeners, depending on how they interpret them. The guitars and basses, while important to the gentleness of the song, are not loud, giving way to Morrissey's voice, which pours out his heart.

   The recurring "Oh Mother" part really evokes strong emotions, and you can feel the pain in Morrissey's voice. The vagueness of the lyrics creates an aura of mystery that is only amplified by the vocals and backing instruments. Overall, it's an emotionally and beautifully produced song.

6. Bigmouth Strikes Again

   

   This song truly is a masterpiece, a magnificent offering by The Smiths, and easily their second best song. The passion and vivaciousness of the melody are undeniable. Whenever I feel as though I'm overflowing with rage, I listen to this song, and my fiery hatred is subdued to a dull throbbing sensation.

   Words for how much I love this song haven't been invented yet.

   An absolute classic. Lyrics so great, how do they keep making such brilliant songs? Mike Luke.

7. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side

   

   Great song, though I can't see why they released this as a single. It's just not very commercial, in my opinion. It took many listens for me to finally understand its greatness.

8. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

   

   Don't really like the singing on this one, but it does have the greatest lyric ever written: "I was looking for a job, and then...and heaven knows I'm miserable now."

   "In my life

   Why do I give valuable time

   To people who don't care if I live or die?"

   A beautiful observation!

   Beautiful song with a great guitar riff, and as always, Morrissey's vocals are as awesome as ever.

9. The Queen is Dead

   

   One of Morrissey's first overtly political/social songs. He has no agenda but his own, and this song exemplifies that. The abrasive nature of the guitar contrasts against the twee pop of The Boy with the Thorn, etc.

   A very powerful song. I love the drumming and Morrissey's powerful vocals. This should be considered their best, with There Is a Light That Never Goes Out being second.

   I love this song and have always loved it. Usually, it doesn't get on lists of the best Smiths songs. It's hard for me to see why.

10. Panic

    

    The music that they constantly play says nothing to me about my life.

    Awesome lyric that still speaks volumes and sums up what I feel like as an indie kid against the corporate pop of the modern world.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    London

    

    Arguably The Smiths' most rockin' song. It's got nonstop punk energy and a fantastic outro.

12. ?

    Work Is a Four-Letter Word

    
The Contenders

13. Cemetry Gates

    

    One of the greatest songs ever written.

14. The Headmaster Ritual

    

    Honestly, I can't believe how low this is. For me, no Smiths playlist would be complete without this song. The opening punches you in the face with some genius guitar and bass, and the great musicianship continues throughout the whole song. The lyrics are simple yet some of the best Morrissey has ever written. Everything about this song is great.

    I listened to MIM on a tape of a radio broadcast during 1985, traveling as a young teen on trains all across Asia. I had no idea what they looked like or their history. I just knew it was the greatest music I'd ever heard. I didn't know I'd never hear anything like it again.

15. Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before

    

    Great opening! A song that comes right out at you, not to be ignored. Best, though, are the lyrics that make me laugh.

    True driving music. Crank down the windows, crank up the volume, and blast this tune out.

    Truly a great song. Honestly, it should be number 2, right after There is a Light.

16. Asleep

    

    Despite the fact that prepubescent girls and wannabe hipsters now flock around this song, it still resonates with me. I never grow tired of hearing it, no matter how many times it gets played now. Yes, Perks was a good movie. However, Charlie is not someone to emulate. Choose to like the song because it's a good song, not because Charlie liked it.

    This song has helped me through so much. It's beautiful and perfect in every way.

    I think that this song is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.

17. What Difference Does It Make?

    

    This is definitely one of the best, if not the best, song The Smiths have done. It's amazing rhythmically, melodically, lyrically, and Morrissey's vocals are unlike anything I've ever heard before. It's such an intense and captivating song. One of the best ever.

    This should be in the top three with There Is A Light That Never Goes Out and How Soon Is Now. The riff that flows all the way through is just so memorable. I would be able to identify it anywhere just from the guitar.

    This is their best song and maybe even the best song ever. The lyrics are captivating, the riff is memorable, and his voice is mysterious.

18. Frankly, Mr. Shankly

    

    This is in my top five favorites. It's very catchy.

19. Ask

    

    Ask me,

    Ask me,

    Ask me why this song is not in the top ten?

20. William, It Was Really Nothing

    

    This is their best song by far! I can't believe it's not on the list. It's even on Rolling Stone's list of five hundred best songs of all time.

    This is the actual best of The Smiths. Two minutes of pure brilliance!

21. Shoplifters of the World Unite

    

    An absolute masterpiece. The Smiths are one of those few bands where almost all their songs are really good, but Shoplifters of the World Unite is probably the one that, in my opinion, stands out above the rest.

    Reagan and Thatcher, great lyrics again. How do you do it, Mozza, Mike, and Luke?

22. Hand in Glove

    

    Simply the best love song there is, there was, and ever will be.

    The greatest love song ever written.

23. Still Ill

    

    This is such a masterpiece. It tells the story of the whole world against the unrelenting bass and drum lines, with guitar and vocals at the forefront, bitterly sweet, clever, masterful, and so honest.

    With such enthusiastic agreement, I've followed the words quite literally. Yes, the world is mine and owes me a living. So mostly after that, I didn't bother, kissed and got sore lips. Yes, I saw the brighter sides of life, but not very often.

    No idea why this isn't in the top ten!

    "Under the iron bridge we kissed, and although I ended up with sore lips, it just wasn't like the old days."

    "Does the body rule the mind or does the mind rule the body? I don't know."

    "I decree today that life is simply taking and not giving."

    Brilliant lyrics.

24. Some Girls are Bigger Than Others

    

    I think this song is the most romantic I've ever heard. Its music is laced with such lovely poignancy, and the lyrics are so clever and bold. The double meaning of some girls being bigger, larger, overwhelmingly so than others - as Antony said to Cleopatra - is stunning.

    The guitar work by Marr is as jaw-droppingly good as This Charming Man, but so much prettier. And the drumming! Magic, especially at the end, where for the last two bars Joyce switches to the ride cymbal. It's so subtle but so perfect. Hand me your pillow, the one that you dream on… Dream on.

    Wonderful song. Great message. My girlfriend actually stopped feeling so conscious about her weight when she heard this.

25. Handsome Devil

    

    Johnny's riff is so unique and amazing. Only he could have written it.

26. You've Got Everything Now

    

27. This Night Has Opened My Eyes

    

    Seriously underrated. The guitar riffs are fantastic, as is the hook.

    This song is brilliant. It deserves to be a contender.

    So underrated, and it's absolutely brilliant.