The Smiths - Ranking the Albums & Songs

[@harmlessrebel868]

The two bands from that era that I couldn't stand at the time were The Smiths and Sonic Youth. I even sold promo copies I had of The Smiths albums in the early 00s because I just didn't get Morrisey...his voice drove me nuts. It just had the monotone feel that I didn't like. Then about 10 years ago both of those bands just hit me, and I've loved both since. In the 80s I was getting into heavier and heavier music, and The Smiths is the antithesis of that, so it makes sense to me, but I love them now. Fun video. I hope you are good Bret.

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed the video. I guess some things just click when they're meant to. Good to hear you warmed up to The Smiths!

[@MrLovell1971]

Awesome ranking guys the Queen is dead is tops for me I remember when I first heard it it blew me away i started collecting the 12” singles the artwork is ahead of their time .

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thanks Lovell! What’s your favorite of those 12” singles?

[@MrLovell1971]

@@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog Bigmouth Strikes Again followed by This Charming Man

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Excellent choices.

[@riskydigitsta1794]

My dads friend gave me his Smiths collection along with some New Order and The Pogues. I have practically their entire discography . Forever will love this band. Andy Rourke will be missed eternally.

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

What a great gift! Andy Rourke will be missed indeed. Thanks for watching.

[@Joelster-og4pf]

I literally jumped off my chair with shock as I saw a headline on KZbin about Andy Rourke’s death. I’ve listened to The Smiths for the past 5-6 months on rotation and they’re so awesome. Their music is magnificently beautiful. Since Andy passed, his baselines have hit much harder… I have too many favourites of this bad, but I’ll try to do my top 10… What Difference Does It Make? Still Ill William, It Was Really Nothing Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now Girl Afraid Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want Back To The Old House (Band version) Bigmouth Strikes Again There Is A Light That Never Goes Out Ask Honourable Mentions: This Charming Man The Boy With The Thorn In His Side Asleep Frankly Mr. Shankly Hand In Glove Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others Accept Yourself

[@SirHatchporch]

I was so bummed to hear of Andy's passing. He was an incredible, innovative bassist who added so much to these songs, and I hope he and Moz got to make amends before he died. Very cool that you guys got together to do this so quickly. Great discussion, and it was really nice to take a stroll down memory lane with these songs yet again. The Smiths have one of the strongest catalogs that I can think of. A true embarrassment of riches from stem to stern. I have traditionally not been a fan of "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" or "Suffer Little Children," but your descriptions, particularly of the former, have me wanting to revisit those with fresh ears. My favorite song has long been "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side." BTW the "you are sleeping..." bit from "Rubber Ring" is from an old book/flexidisc called "Breakthrough: An Amazing Experiment in Electronic Communication with the Dead." I've heard the whole thing and it is really creepy. You can find a rip here on KZbin.

[@jones4051]

Bret and Frank, great video! Hearing the lists of songs really showcases how much fantastic music they put out in their short time as a band. As far as album rankings go, mine is: 1. Meat is Murder (not even close) 2. The Queen is Dead 3. Strangeways, Here We Come 4. The Smiths Also, Bret, where did you get the Mazzy Star shirt?!

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thanks Jason!

[@robcristofoli6330]

Yay! A Smiths ranking, great vid Bret! The Queen is Dead has always been my number one, just a superb classic album, definitely top 5 of all time for me. I've always considered Hatful of Hollow as a studio album, wrongfully I know, but when I purchased it back in '84 I thought it was, so why change it haha. Such a tough task ranking the individual songs, not sure of the order but off the top of my head my top 5 would be: I Know It's Over Reel Around The Fountain The Boy With The Thorn... Last Night I Dreamt... That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore. Take care Bret!

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thanks Rob! That's an excellent Top 5 there. All gems.

[@olidb72]

Great video! Still Ill would be my favourite, I grew up near Morrissey's childhood home where there is a nearby 'iron bridge' covered in Smiths quotes and graffiti which is really cool, that song means a lot to me. I'd love the see a Cure ranking next...I have a feeling you may be planning it anyway :)

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thanks! Haha - you may be right on that Cure ranking planning. :)

[@outoftheunknown3155]

Another great video. Really nice to see Back To The Old House mentioned. Such a poignant song that really captures a feeling with so few words. Honourable mentions to pretty much everything else from Hatful of Hollow - a true 5-star album for me. Still Ill, William it Was Really Nothing, Heaven Knows...

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thanks Matt! "Back to the Old House" will always be a favorite for me. Now that I think of it, neither of us had "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" on our lists. Such a great song... and bassline!

[@patrick3926]

Awesome episode! Love all the songs it’s so hard to choose favorites!!

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thanks Patrick!

[@miketomlin6040]

Jangly Indie Pop has little appeal for me, although I appreciated M's witty and clever lyrics. Any band that talks about Animal Rights are elevated to my mind. M's welcome to stay at my house, whenever he wants to!

[@clvrswine]

Uh oh... I'm commenting in the first minute. I must steel myself for this! ; )

[@intermats]

Great video Bret. I have notice there's two common things amongst Smiths fans. One: When they discoverd The Smiths they already had split up and two: For a period of their life The Smiths were their favoite band 24/7. My album ranking will be exactly like yours, Queen is Dead #1 hands down. But the 25 top songs I think will be very different , let mel just list some that you guys did not mention : Still Ill, You' got everything now, Girl Afraid, Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, William It Was really nothing, Nowhere Fast, Some Girls are bigger than others, these things take time...But again memories, feelings and taste make the difference for each individual. Cheers and thanks for your videos looking forward for the next one!

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thanks Joe! I appreciate it.

[@sylmaron5859]

I love The Smiths (and Cocteau Twins!). Back then and now. I would absolutely love to see a ranking of Bowie albums by the way.

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thanks for watching. Did you already watch the Cocteau ranking video as well? I did a 2 part David Bowie ranking 10 years ago - planning on doing an updated version in the coming months. If you'd like to check out the old ones...he ere are the links --- Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmrcq3-ogrZlfKcsi=4oBDHHVhft4unLj4 Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXTQkpxmmKl4raMsi=pRmKIve82gFMkILv

[@sylmaron5859]

@@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog Thanks Bret! I saw the Cocteau Twins item as well. Someone mentioned your channel on Reddit in the Cocteau Twins thread and I watched it and enjoyed it immensely! Thanks for the link on Bowie, will absolutely check it out.

[@toddk9219]

My top song is The Queen is Dead. No matter how many times I hear it, it still sounds fresh

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Great choice.

[@chrisknowlton9460]

RIP Andy Rourke, an insanely talented bassist. I dare you to put on Barbarism Begins at Home and not "air bass" to it!

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Indeed. Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@Rowan-j3e]

I love The Smiths debut album

[@carlosalenduran4630]

Just found this review I love the smith's The queen is dead album is my favorite.

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thanks Carlos!

[@carlosalenduran4630]

@@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog thank you for always sharing good music.

[@franksmusic2880]

If you don’t care much for the Meat is Murder album, your not really Smiths fans.

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Couldn't find the place in the video where I said I didn't care for that album. There are only 4 Smiths albums, so something has to be #4.

[@toddk9219]

It was Soho-- Hippychick

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thanks Todd!

[@spaceman3977]

Marr liked it quite a bit apparently

[@hiartontheedge]

That was so entertaining and educational to watch. You guys clearly have a deep amount of respect for each other and The Smiths. If you're ever looking for a 3rd wheel, I'd love to join ya for the following: JAMES BEST DREAMPOP/SHOEGAZE ALBUMS THE CHURCH SPIRITUALIZED DEAD CAN DANCE

[@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog]

Thank you!

[@cgsduke]

Some girls are bigger than others is my personal favorite . I am shocked and appalled 😊 its not on any of your lists