Singles (The Smiths album)
| Singles | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Greatest hits album by The Smiths | ||||
| Released | February 20, 1995 | |||
| Recorded | 1983–1987 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock, indie pop | |||
| Length | 62:32 | |||
| Label | Warner Music Group | |||
| Producer | John Porter, The Smiths, Roger Pusey, Dale "Buffin" Griffin and Stephen Street | |||
| The Smiths chronology | ||||
|
||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |  |
Singles is the seventh compilation album by The Smiths, 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 United States. Blender magazine lists the album among the "500 CDs You Must Own" on their website.
WEA (now the Warner Music Group) 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 collection of the band's singles. Only the singles released in the UK were included.
Hand In Glove, The Boy With The Thorn in His Side and Ask, in this compilation, did not use the single versions, the first two are released as singles in alternative versions, and Ask had an early fade out.
The cover features a design made earlier by Morrissey but previously unused, featuring singer and actress Diana Dors in a still from the 1956 film Yield to the Night.
WEA decided to promote the album in the UK by re-releasing the "Ask" single with its two original B-sides, "Cemetry Gates" and "Golden Lights". The single charted at #62. In the United States, Sire decided to release "Sweet and Tender Hooligan", a single of rarities, to promote the album, with a newly-designed sleeve by Morrissey. It failed to chart.
All songs written by Morrissey/Marr.
...
Wikipedia