(Vinyl Love is a series of posts that quite simply lists, describes, and displays the pieces in my growing vinyl collection. You can bet that each record was given a spin during the drafting of each corresponding post.)
Artist: The Smiths
Album Title: Strangeways, here we come
Year released: 1987
Year reissued: 2011
Details: Remastered, part of box set that includes booklet and poster
The skinny: How do you follow an album like “The Queen is dead”? Apparently, you break up your relatively short-lived but beloved band and months later, release your final album. “Strangeways, here we come” is considered by some, including both Morrissey and Johnny Marr, as The Smiths’ best album. I’m not sure I’m completely on board with this but it definitely counts a couple of my favourites in its track listing, tracks like “Unhappy birthday” and the one I’ve highlighted below. Perhaps I’ll throw this one over to Geoff at 1001albumsin10years, who I know is a big fan of these Manchester legends but has yet to chime in on his favourite of the studio releases. How about it Geoff?
Standout track: “Girlfriend in a coma”
My (life in) music lists 
11 replies on “Vinyl love: The Smiths “Strangeways, here we come””
thanks for the question – I am rather fond of these Mancunians!
Picking a favourite tune is tough. On this one, the 4-5-6 mid-set is particularly strong. But then I love paint a vulgar picture and i won’t share you feels like exactly the right closing track, especially given the break up like you mentioned.
Favourite album? Still Queen is Dead for me, but this wouldn’t be far behind.
Have you read Simon Goddard’s, The Songs that saved your life?
There was a great Morrissey quote in the book as to why he believes Strangeways is their masterpiece, something along the lines of, “I should know. I was there. I supplied the sandwiches”
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Hahaha. That is a great Morrissey quote for sure. Haven’t read the book though. Is the title correct? Does he write about the songs that saved your life?
Oh and yes, the tunes you picked from this album are quite delicious.
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the title may be an exaggeration in my case – but I do quite like reading about the behind the scenes recording story of each of the songs they recorded. So many gems!
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I enjoy that stuff too. Have you ever read any of Alan Cross’s books?
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I have not – but I do like the ongoing history radio show!
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Alan Cross has been my hero since the university days. He wrote a book a number of years ago about the 12 most important alt-rock bands. If you can find it, it’s a great read.
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Just checked our library system – no Alan Cross search returns, alas. I’ll have to keep my eyes open at the local book stores!
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I like this record a lot, but it’s not quite as good as Queen is Dead. Not surprising, given the circumstances.
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[…] bender here, running through my “Complete” box set, one piece at a time, in my weekend ‘Vinyl love’ series. And if you did notice, you might be thinking that I’m a bit of a fanatic of the band, […]
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I know you have been keen to know where this sits in my own list and I can confirm that I have no favourite The Smiths album.
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Haha. I cannot say this surprises me J.
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