Singles is a compilation album by The Smiths, ostensibly pitched as a compilation of previously issued singles. It was released in February, 1995 by the new owner of their back catalogue, WEA (Sire Records in the United States). Its highest British chart position was #5; it did not chart in the U.S.

About the album

WEA (now the Warner Music Group) had acquired the entire Smiths back catalogue in early 1992. After re-releasing all of The Smiths original albums and compilations and issuing a two-volume best-of compilation (Best...I and ...Best II) in 1992, in 1995 they decided to celebrate The Smiths' reputation as a singles band by issuing a complete singles collection. Unfortunately, in all cases where the actual single has a different mix or edit, the album version is preferred, negating the concept. The British music press had a field day , praising the music but criticising the botched concept.

Cover

The cover features a design made earlier by Morrissey but previously unused, and stars singer and actress Diana Dors in a still from the 1956 film Yield to the Night .

Spin-off singles

WEA decided to promote the album in the UK by re-releasing the "Ask" single (albeit in its album mix), complete with its two original B-sides, "Cemetry Gates" and "Golden Lights". Since all three tracks were already easily available, the single bombed, stalling at No. 62. In the United States, Sire decided to release a single of rarities to promote the album. "Sweet and Tender Hooligan", formerly the B-side to "Sheila Take a Bow", was chosen as the A-side, and three non-album B-sides off the Strangeways, Here We Come singles, "Work Is a Four-Letter Word", "I Keep Mine Hidden", and "What's the World?" (live) were added. The single boasted a newly designed sleeve by Morrissey (a still from the video of his current solo single, "Boxers"), but failed to chart. Oddly enough, this single was not included on Singles.

Track listing

All songs written by Morrissey/Marr.

1. "Hand in Glove" (album version)
2. "This Charming Man"
3. "What Difference Does It Make?" (album version)
4. "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now"
5. "William, It Was Really Nothing"
6. "How Soon Is Now?" (album version)
7. "Shakespeare's Sister"
8. "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" (album version)
9. "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" (album version)
10. "Bigmouth Strikes Again"
11. "Panic"
12. "Ask" (album version)
13. "Shoplifters of the World Unite"
14. "Sheila Take a Bow"
15. "Girlfriend in a Coma"
16. "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish"
17. "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" (album version)
18. "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out"

For the singles' UK chart positions, please see the main entry on The Smiths.

People involved

The band

• Morrissey – voice
• Johnny Marr – guitars, keyboard instruments, harmonica, synthesized saxophone, string and flute arrangements
• Andy Rourke – bass guitar, cello on "Shakespeare's Sister"
• Mike Joyce – drums
• Craig Gannon – rhythm guitar on "Panic" and "Ask"

Additional musicians

• Kirsty MacColl – backing vocals on "Ask"
• John Porter – slide guitar on "Sheila Take a Bow"
• Stephen Street – drum machine on "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" and synthesized string arrangements on "Girlfriend in a Coma"

Technical staff

• John Porter – producer (2-6, 11-12), remixer (1)
• Johnny Marr, Morrissey and Stephen Street – producers (14-17)
• The Smiths – producers (1, 7-8)
• Morrissey and Marr – producers (9-10, 18)
• Johnny Marr – producer (13)
• Steve Lillywhite – remixer (12)