Top 10 Best The Smiths Songs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One of the greatest songs ever written.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

The greatest love song ever written.

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!

Just that opening sound heaves like the agony of a broken heart as it tries to breathe. Then the vocals, like secret internal pain you shamefully hide, and yet Morrissey is so open and vulnerable. I die thinking someone might know they made me feel that way.

Not too long ago, I heard this in my playlist and just lay in my bed and cried for what felt like the entire night. I had that moment of really connecting with the song, and somehow I don't think any type of popularity or greatness can beat that feeling of depth. So, for me, this is number one.

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

Arguably one of the greatest and most under-appreciated Smiths songs. Fantastic arrangements and catchy hook.

I do love this song with a passion. "Call me morbid, call me pale... I've spent six years on your trail. So if you have five seconds to spare, I'll tell you the story of my life."

I always thought this was such a great classic pop song, so catchy. I never understood why it wasn't a major single.

Sad and funny at the same time. Mike Luke.

A two-minute pop song that makes your head reel and leaves you wanting more. The lyrics combine humor and seriousness perfectly.

The most perfect two minutes of music I think I've ever heard. It's truly flawless.

Come on, guys. This should at least be in the top 20.