Artist page · 05/07/2026

The Smiths

ManchesterFormed in 1982Alternatif11 vinyl albums
The Smiths, formed in Manchester in 1982, were a defining British post-punk band active until 1987, blending alternative, indie, and Britpop sounds.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
11Albums on Vinyles.com
2871Discogs releases
5.2MLast.fm listeners

About

11 vinyls available, including original 1984 Rough Trade LPs and rare live broadcasts.

Formed around Johnny Marr (guitarist and composer) and Morrissey (singer and lyricist), The Smiths ushered a distinctive sound in 1980s British rock. The band included Andy Rourke on bass and Mick Joyce on drums, with their debut single 'Hand in Glove' released in 1983 on Rough Trade. Their catalog encompasses 11 vinyl records, including studio albums, compilations, and live sessions, characterized by jangly guitars and poetic lyrics. Notable albums such as their self-titled debut (1984), Meat Is Murder (1985), and The Queen Is Dead (1986) remain highly regarded and regularly reissued on vinyl.

Discography

The Smiths discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

RankRough Trade · 1988
1988
Rank
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Strangeways, Here We ComeRough Trade · 1987
1987
Strangeways, Here We Come
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Queen Is DeadRough Trade · 1986
1986
The Queen Is Dead
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Meat Is MurderRough Trade · 1985
1985
Meat Is Murder
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The SmithsRough Trade · 1984
1984
The Smiths
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up The Smiths's career.

01
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out - 2011 Remaster
·
02
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - 2011 Remaster
·
03
This Charming Man - 2011 Remaster
·
04
Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want - 2011 Remaster
·
05
Back to the Old House - 2011 Remaster
·
06
This Night Has Opened My Eyes - 2011 Remaster
·
07
Bigmouth Strikes Again - 2011 Remaster
·
08
How Soon Is Now? - 2011 Remaster
·

The essentials

The 3 The Smiths albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1986
Vinyl, LP, Album
The Queen Is Dead

Their third studio album, blending indie pop and jangle rock, with hallmark tracks like "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" and "Bigmouth Strikes Again."

10 tracksRough Trade label1986 releaseMultiple vinyl versions
Discover the album
#2 · 1985
Vinyl, LP, Album
Meat Is Murder

The band's politically charged second album, featuring nine tracks including "The Headmaster Ritual" and title track "Meat Is Murder."

9 tracksRough Trade label1985 releaseWidely pressed worldwide
Discover the album
#3 · 1984
Vinyl, LP, Album, Misprint
The Smiths

Debut album introducing their indie rock sound with ten tracks including "Reel Around The Fountain" and "Still Ill."

10 tracksRough Trade label1984 debutOriginal and reissues available
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to The Smiths

Artists who share part of The Smiths's musical DNA.

Morrissey
Morrissey
Joy Division
Joy Division
The Cure
The Cure
New Order
New Order
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
Talking Heads
Talking Heads

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of The Smiths

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

“All the bands at the time had names with fifteen syllables. We just wanted to be normal.”
— Johnny Marr
01Band Origin

Marr and Morrissey form The Smiths in Manchester

Johnny Marr (born 31 October 1963) and Morrissey (born 22 May 1959) met on 20 May 1982 at Morrissey's home in Stretford, leading to the formation of The Smiths with bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mick Joyce.

1982Manchester, UK
02First Live Show

The Smiths debut live performance at Manchester Ritz

The band performed their first concert on 4 October 1982 at the Manchester Ritz, marking their entry into the British post-punk scene.

1982Manchester, UK
03Vinyl Release

Debut single 'Hand in Glove' released on Rough Trade

'Hand in Glove' was released in May 1983, the band's first single on Rough Trade, gaining significant attention in the indie music circles.

1983UK
04Final Studio Album

Strangeways, Here We Come released before breakup

The 1987 album 'Strangeways, Here We Come' was issued shortly before Johnny Marr left the group, signaling the band's end while exploring darker themes.

1987UK
05Live Album

Rank captures 1986 Kilburn concert released in 1988

'Rank' is a live album recorded at National Ballroom, Kilburn, on 23 October 1986, released post-breakup in 1988 under Rough Trade and BBC Transcription Services.

1988London, UK

Records by The Smiths

See all
Red Light Never Goes Out (The Amsterdam Broadcast) - Front Cover

Red Light Never Goes Out (The Amsterdam Broadcast)

The Smiths
Indie rock Alternative
THE BAUHAUS LABEL
From $42.58 1 offer
So Much To Answer For (Radio Broadcast) - Front Cover

So Much To Answer For (Radio Broadcast)

The Smiths
Post-Punk Alternative
PARACHUTE RECORDING COMPANY
View details
MARKTHALLE HAMBURG RADIO BROADCAST 1984 - Front Cover

MARKTHALLE HAMBURG RADIO BROADCAST 1984

The Smiths
International Rock Rock
SECOND RECORDS
View details
THE QUEEN IS DEAD - Front Cover

THE QUEEN IS DEAD

The Smiths
Britpop Pop
RHINO
From $49.99 1 offer
RANK - Front Cover

RANK

The Smiths
Britpop Pop
RHINO
From $35.63 2 offers
HATFUL OF HOLLOW - Front Cover

HATFUL OF HOLLOW

The Smiths
Britpop Pop
RHINO
From $24.98 2 offers
THE WORLD WON T LISTEN - Front Cover

THE WORLD WON T LISTEN

The Smiths
Britpop Pop
RHINO
From $26.99 3 offers
THE SMITHS - Front Cover

THE SMITHS

The Smiths
Britpop Pop
RHINO
From $19.89 1 offer
STRANGEWAYS HERE WE COME - Front Cover

STRANGEWAYS HERE WE COME

The Smiths
Britpop Pop
RHINO
From $23.51 2 offers
MEAT IS MURDER - Front Cover

MEAT IS MURDER

The Smiths
Britpop Pop
RHINO
From $20.99 3 offers
LOUDER THAN BOMBS - Front Cover

LOUDER THAN BOMBS

The Smiths
Britpop Pop
RHINO
From $72.99 1 offer

CDs by The Smiths

Search all The Smiths CDs
Louder Than Bombs - Front Cover

Louder Than Bombs

The Smiths
Indie rock Alternative
CD WARNER MUSIC UK
View details
Rank - Front Cover Rank - Front Cover

Rank

The Smiths
Indie rock Alternative
CD WARNER MUSIC UK
From $13.86 1 offer
Strangeways, Here We Come - Front Cover Strangeways, Here We Come - Front Cover

Strangeways, Here We Come

The Smiths
Indie rock Alternative
CD WARNER MUSIC UK
From $12.79 1 offer
Meat Is Murder - Front Cover Meat Is Murder - Front Cover

Meat Is Murder

The Smiths
Indie rock Alternative
CD WARNER MUSIC UK
From $11.99 1 offer
Hatful Of Hollow - Front Cover Hatful Of Hollow - Front Cover

Hatful Of Hollow

The Smiths
Indie rock Alternative
CD WARNER MUSIC UK
View details
The Smiths - Front Cover The Smiths - Front Cover

The Smiths

The Smiths
Indie rock Alternative
CD WARNER MUSIC UK
View details
The World Won't Listen - Front Cover The World Won't Listen - Front Cover

The World Won't Listen

The Smiths
Indie rock Alternative
CD WARNER MUSIC UK
From $15.61 1 offer

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

What years were The Smiths active as a band?

The Smiths were active from 1982 until 1987, recording and performing during this five-year span.

Where was The Smiths band formed?

The Smiths were formed in Manchester, United Kingdom, in 1982.

Are there rare live vinyl pressings of The Smiths available?

Yes, several live broadcast vinyls such as 'Markthalle Hamburg Radio Broadcast 1984' and 'Red Light Never Goes Out (The Amsterdam Broadcast)' are available.

Which labels released The Smiths' vinyl records?

The Smiths' vinyls were primarily released on Rough Trade, Rhino, and BBC Transcription Services labels, among others.

What are some essential The Smiths albums to have on vinyl?

Essential albums include the debut 'The Smiths' (1984), 'Meat Is Murder' (1985), and 'The Queen Is Dead' (1986).

Did The Smiths perform live concerts in France?

Yes, The Smiths played limited live shows in France, notably at Paris Eldorado in May 1984 and Versailles in December 1984.

Are original UK pressings of The Smiths vinyl important for collectors?

Original UK pressings, especially of albums like 'The Queen Is Dead' and 'Rank', are highly sought after by vinyl collectors.

What musical styles characterize The Smiths?

The Smiths combine elements of post-punk, indie rock, Britpop, and jangle pop, defining a distinctive 1980s British sound.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 05/07/2026