The Smiths - Shoplifters Of The World Unite (Official Music Video)

Official video for Shoplifters of The World Unite by The Smiths
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"Shoplifters of the World Unite" was released as a single in January 1987, reaching #12 in the UK Singles Chart. It did not appear on an original studio album but can be found on the Louder Than Bombs, Singles and The World Won't Listen compilations.
Lyrics
Learn to love me
Assemble the ways
Now, today, tomorrow and always
My only weakness is a list of crime
My only weakness is well, never mind, never mind
Oh, shoplifters of the world
Unite and take over
Shoplifters of the world
Hand it over
Hand it over
Hand it over
Learn to love me
And assemble the ways
Now, today, tomorrow, and always
My only weakness is a listed crime
But last night the plans of a future war
Was all I saw on Channel Four
Shoplifters of the world
Unite and take over
Shoplifters of the world
Hand it over
Hand it over
Hand it over
A heartless hand on my shoulder
A push and it's over
Alabaster crashes down
(Six months is a long time)
Tried living in the real world
Instead of a shell
But before I began
I was bored before I even began
Shoplifters of the world
Unite and take over
Shoplifters of the world
Unite and take over
Shoplifters of the world
Unite and take over
Shoplifters of the world
Take over
#TheSmiths #ShopliftersOfTheWorldUnite #LouderThanBombs

[@padistedor]

Morrissey can sing every name in the phonebook and I'd listen to every word. What a voice.

[@padistedor]

Alt Esc My wife would disagree but now we all know you are a homophobe. Get help.

[@0v3rgr0wn]

Want to start a band?

[@monstergod888]

So true,the best thing about Morrissey is that he has great lyrics and sing them with his great voice and he is so handsome too!

[@izdariel]

I don't care that Morrissey is gay he is still my favorite singer

[@mr_evangelion8063]

YUNG M&Ms He is not gay , he fall in love without care the genre of the people

[@Fueguit3]

Shakira is nothing compared to those Morrissey's hip moves

[@putin6018]

Shakira sucks ass

[@stephen.s5089]

🤣

[@lanavmadsen3393]

He is Just EATEBLE

[@indyjones1135]

Lol. Great comment.

[@kylecrutcher4588]

Stephen Patrick's hip don't lie!

[@alanaphibes]

RIP Andy Rourke, one of the authors of the best bass lines in rock.Will never be forgotten

[@renataribeiro8616]

Que tristeza 😢

[@lindahoeymakers8898]

WOW ABSOLUTE UNITED SHOPLIFTERS..................

[@madickonitchu-qk6lf]

Let's all love Andy ❤

[@stifflery]

Are there more songs with similar baseline to this one ❤❤?

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

Johnny Marr might be the single most underrated world-famous rock guitarist ever. Think about it.

[@mogshade66]

Yes beautiful sound 👍

[@zephyrsky__]

He is

[@ilisten2thecureandcry]

I agree !!

[@danielcropp8553]

Totally! To the list, I would add Peter Buck, the guitarist from R.E.M.

[@paulito571]

He’s well rated, I think. Appeared in countless guitar magazines since the start of The Smiths career.

[@CharlieTourniquet]

Such a unique sound...people talk shit about Morrissey, but along with Marr and the rest of the band, they created something truly special.

[@christinekoehnen9696]

I treasure my Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, T - shirt. I've been a huge Morrisey fan since forever, I'm 71 now

[@Michelleilovetmills]

Holy shit how I want that jacket and also the man who is wearing it.

[@summerteeeth]

+Michelle Torres Nice one ;) Thanks for the laugh.

[@mariannedavila3574]

H&M

[@coffeegubler5798]

Morrissey dancing is the best thing ever

[@ricardoguzman8129]

Coffee Gubler kinda reminded me of ellie Goulding early years

[@MichaelJames-lz7ni]

'Maybe' the only thing genuine in these lip-synched 'performances'.

[@haveanotherpinacolada]

Yes... YES!

[@sexobscura]

that's just too easy

[@DinoHF79]

@Phillip Boyd no that's a tiger in his tank.

[@Tristan.Suba.44]

1:44 One of my all time favourite solos : straightforward (nothing to add/nothing to remove), catchy so, very efficient. As every good solos should be 👍

[@ke2588]

That solo is just delicious

[@sexobscura]

@@ke2588 scrumptious

[@michaelbove3973]

Get in, get out, say what you have to say and STFU!

[@berniemichelle1142]

That smile on Andy. ❤️‍🩹 Unbelievable that he’s left us. Rest peacefully, sweet Andy. 😞🌹

[@Breas1014]

The Greatest band in the world, loyalty till the bitter end. I still have that Elvis T-shirt Morrissey is wearing...

[@carinarosales6899]

Or the Nirvana shirt

[@agustinamansur5665]

Morrissey wearing a tee shirt of The Smiths is EVERYTHING😍😍

[@rebeccalopez9405]

I bet Morrissey is a great hoola hooper. 😂 💚 him!

[@MrBlacksabbath94]

😹😹

[@rbeygarcia]

Rebecca Lopez LMFAO !!!!

[@breasofthetuathadedanann6884]

I bet he has aids

[@rbeygarcia]

Wow, congrats. it takes a real arsehole in this day and age to think he's being funny joking about aids.

[@breasofthetuathadedanann6884]

+plutorama arse bandits of the world bend over

[@jasoncrumpet9764]

Camera man was all over Andy for the guitar solo. Great job guy. Hahahaaa

[@BassByTheBay]

Ha, yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I assume there wasn't a lot of attention to detail on those pop shows where bands lip sync. They probably had some formula like "80% of the time, film the singer... 20% of the time, film whatever you want."

[@maisonsacre]

Wearing my Smiths T-shirt that I bought at their concert to school, over my white miniskirt, low-slung belt, torn tights and low courts that I hid in my backpack to swap out and wear at school. Being pressed against the lockers for my first kiss, enjoyed more for the enthusiasm than for the technique. This song brings back all the good times

[@alabama.worley]

What even, what? You seriously need to get some. Gross.

[@edster76]

You seen the vid of them at Derby Assembly Rooms, fucking brill and I was there as a yoot!

[@maisonsacre]

@@alabama.worley Nice try, troll

[@carinarosales6899]

Me wearing the Madonna shirt with lace black squirt and blouse floral and gloves plastic bracelets

[@Bayanic_]

Morrisey is kind of weird. But the fact that he doesn't care is what makes him awesome.

[@mysteryfingerstyleguitarist]

"It's more or less spiritual shoplifting, cultural shoplifting, taking things and using them to your own advantage.". -Morrissey on the meaning of the song.

[@lugus9261]

Mystery Fingerstyle Guitarist sounds like Stirner

[@courtrtney]

so like.... colonialism?

[@erica6488]

I know who you are talking about

[@user-qx4un5nh4r]

Postmodernism

[@philiphammar]

damn, as an actual shoplifter myself I've always thought this song spoke to me.

[@janbures5203]

That solo is so non-Smiths that it makes it even more Smithier.

[@oliviavasquez7225]

1:44 for anyone who needs the time

[@gingthedigger5046]

Have you seen the guy lose his shit over it it's on KZbin well worth the watch

[@erikmorrison2355]

Jerry Simpson what's the video called

[@gingthedigger5046]

@@erikmorrison2355 Johnny marr I love you

[@callummartin3912]

I like the adjective 'Smithsy'

[@plasteredbastard]

Few can get away with frolicking as Morrissey does here and still hold his artistry and genius in tact and honestly we adore it.

[@NormAppleton]

True kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZTOdWxvd5pkf6M

[@rjjcms1]

And he hasn't even got a half a tree in his trousers this time.

[@mvi84]

Learn to love me, assemble the ways Now, today, tomorrow and always My only weakness is a list of crime My only weakness is, well, never mind, never mind, oh Shoplifters of the world Unite and take over Shoplifters of the world Hand it over, hand it over, hand it over Learn to love me and assemble the ways Now, today, tomorrow and always My only weakness is a listed crime But last night the plans for a future war was all I saw on Channel 4 Shoplifters of the world Unite and take over Shoplifters of the world Hand it over, hand it over, hand it over A heartless hand on my shoulder, a push and it's over Alabaster crashes down, six months is a long time Tried living in the real world instead of a shell But before I began I was bored before I even began Shoplifters of the world Unite and take over Shoplifters of the world Unite and take over Shoplifters of the world Unite and take over Shoplifters of the world Take over

[@jeffreyriley8742]

Just me but I think this is one of the greatest songs of all-time.

[@NormAppleton]

Maybe

[@robertriordan1823]

To hear a possible influence on this song, listen to Children of the Revolution by T. Rex.

[@jeremywashereee]

Not just you 🤟❤️

[@NormAppleton]

@@robertriordan1823 Yeah, I hear that.

[@mariavalerialezama7271]

dude wat abt this charming man?

[@heathersand73]

I am...um...REALLY enjoying his hip motions!

[@josephrivas4762]

It's ok we all are.

[@robyn2628]

Joseph rivas im not

[@josephrivas4762]

rifke stern well then... Your just strange? I guess.

[@robyn2628]

i just find it icky. but i love morrissey. but i think i love old thicker morrissey better. oh god, i hope he doesnt still hip thrust, that would be so unsettling.

[@alanmacnaughton674]

He has got the moves and the grooves

[@jobbythehutt]

That bit when the guitar kicks back in is absolutely majestic.

[@Mesonoxia366]

Dyslexics of the world: UNTIE!

[@sugarlandspringsteen]

+[SUM] • V0WL Nice one mate made me laugh

[@DeSoccerRefMan]

Im it on, or was that on it

[@jonjones7073]

JK I'm a dyslexic athesist .. I don't believe in dog

[@angelaboulton8748]

it is Williamsburg you ricin mowf

[@thecitizenjoan]

😂😂😂

[@brishohh]

it's unfortunate the smiths were never given video promo budgets . most of their vids seem to be top of the pops performances with the studio version dubbed over.

[@LesterLeapsIn1]

+Robyn Donnelly That's more because of the fact that the Smiths (especially Morrissey) openly hated promo videos.

[@isaiaha.6448]

i think about this so much :(

[@sexobscura]

The Smiths (like REM) detested the formats way of polluting the purity of a song

[@olgafigueroa2909]

It was their decision to not do videos. Which later proved to be a mistake.

[@carinarosales6899]

@@sexobscura it does pollute the song and Morissey wanted the song to always stay pure original I loved that

[@ok2760]

This was their third non-album single in the space of 7 months since the release of The Queen is Dead. And another non-album single, one of their best ever, would follow only 3 months after this. How prolific is that? 1960s level of productivity.

[@merrymonarch]

All with terrific B-sides

[@rjjcms1]

Panic,Ask,this one.

[@madforit2]

I love the way bands back then would release non album singles.

[@fhurley8447]

I often sing everyday activities in the voice of Morrissey like 'put the dishwashing in' makes life easier

[@bananasplitlady3045]

That sounds like something my dad would do. XD

[@j.mariethompson981]

Thats a PRO TIP

[@jimo9555]

@@bananasplitlady3045 my daughters would be in agreement! but on a more positive note ...they wouldn't argue with their musical education! :p

[@liliamuseum196]

🤣🤣🤣

[@PerryCoxPF93]

🎶put the dishwashing in…30 minutes is a long time 🎶

[@nicholasgoodrum1713]

The Smiths are 'timeless' 🏆🎉🎶

[@donniedarko1345]

1987. 28 year old Steven Patrick Morrissey. Time is terrifying. I was 11 when this video was made. I want to go back. Nothing good happened after 1999 in my life.

[@huseyinyorganci241]

and me I have been unable to get better even since 1999

[@richjohns8283]

Fckin hell that's 25 years ago, u only get one life get a grip

[@soundpilatesandyoga8531]

Haha. Same. Except my children were born in 06 and 15. Those were the only good things that happened after 99. Lol lol lol.

[@StLProgressive]

This is the first Smiths song I ever heard and I was hooked. Their music was so unique.

[@lucasbeer353]

This is more punkish than most punk songs. Funny thing, never been punk fan, but this is fantastic. True genius.

[@freya8133]

Most punk sounds the same.

[@mywaterco0lerromance]

@@freya8133 you’re thinking of pop music

[@Eggnoodlesandketchup1987]

In 50 years of pop music this band was at the top of the pile

[@StayBlur]

Imagine these guys made another 10 albums...

[@NormAppleton]

Frankly, it would have gotten dull. THere's a thing thing to be said for quitting while you're ahead.

[@Vigilante311]

@@NormAppleton i agree with you but maybe one more album couldnt hurt

[@P00katube]

They would have been bigger than Rush!!!!!

[@carinarosales6899]

@@Vigilante311 you know your right just one more I would die of happiness

[@l.b.2592]

Being in one's own ecstasy and enjoying it is a very good thing.

[@Sinister6scorpion]

It's pure and beautifully human

[@brianbrooks5947]

I can rest assured that I will always be able to find a new Morrissey song I'm in love with for the rest of my life

[@luislizard2626]

I remember back in the 80's in my hometown in Italy smiths fans wearing similar Damien jackets as Morrissey is wearing ... One of them had hatful of hollow sleeve on the back!!

[@matrixmelter8619]

That sounds cool

[@alukuhito]

RIP Andy Rourke. Your music continues to inspire!

[@mikeg6606]

Thanks to the director for showing Rourke as Marr pulls off one of the greatest guitar riffs ever written.

[@thechosenone7408]

Dat shit ain't even plugged in bro

[@ke2588]

lol wtf was that

[@izaakdaviddiggs]

One of my favorite guitar solos, now everyone knows what a talent Johnny Marr is, but often the Smiths became the Morrissey show. Classic rock creeping in, debauchery, bottles of brandy and a crashed BMW. Not a hard solo to play, but in the Smiths it was like a revolution, Johnny sort of breaking out. And then Strangeways, and then the end...

[@carinarosales6899]

Your right they were the band who created a trend and an era for the world and the best ever and then it ended

[@michaelkennedy6415]

I agree- an excellent solo. I don’t know why but the sound reminds me of a the genre of ‘70’s science fiction movie that warns us of a future dystopian nightmare.

[@bernardmorris2922]

I never got to see The Smiths live but this was the fist Smiths song I heard Morrissey perform. I'm not sure what it's about, but songs open to multiple interpretations are often the best. Whatever it's about it contains the wonderfully poetic line "I tried living in the real world instead of a shell, but...I was bored before I even began." For that line alone it is a classic.

[@13thism]

My favorite lyric

[@karenpereira7797]

“I was bored before I even began” was what I searched for when I couldn’t recall the title… peace and hugs KP

[@desmondteague2441]

Johnny must have been deep into rockabilly when he did this video!

[@aakritipoudel8343]

this makes me feel validated. I love you Smiths

[@littlewing2023]

he played this last night in las Vegas....oooooh I was thrilled ❤ awesome show...love the MoZ

[@geob3963]

RIP Andy, thanks for the music, forever and always.

[@skylerrush9990]

Moz's dancing is my favourite thing ever

[@germantennesseean8438]

His dancing is weird but somehow hypnotic

[@cliffordmargrett8666]

Shoplifters. Are the Strongest People in the World... Long Live the Smiths.

[@JhonathanMoran]

My favorite song, I can't stop listening it

[@NormAppleton]

It's a great one

[@carinarosales6899]

@@NormAppleton I know right my brain song it's always there

[@saintjames7387]

this morrisey guy is a character

[@dfblasedhu3609]

Rest in peace Andy Rourke x

[@jakelynelourenco6899]

Enourmous chemistry

[@thomasshelby4196]

Impossible not to love Morrissey as much as The Smiths

[@GrungeGirl83]

He's beautiful

[@zeepunky]

manchesterblue2007 Im American and I think he's great.

[@manchesterblue2007]

zeepunky then youre subversive too ;)

[@zeepunky]

I suppose I am.

[@carinarosales6899]

Yes he is

[@peacefulrain86]

That shirt, the moves, the songs title. He might just be calling out Elvis"the king." The ultimate cultural shoplifter! Lol

[@Zizzyyzz]

Lauren Wallace Lol. Good observation.

[@rktottenham]

yes yes. Moz on the meaning of this song "It's more or less spiritual shoplifting, cultural shoplifting, taking things and using them to your own advantage."

[@samuelsmith9929]

Lauren Wallace ,not sure about elvis being the biggest ever..I think everyone appropriates things from each other,humans in general doing this..if someone stated that before africans came in contact with European culture they didn't wear shoes,or had a written language, or built 2 story buildings,could we state,that all black people that incorporate these and many many more things into their lives today are cultural shoplifters? ...or lol would that statement be deemed racist? If elvis was for taking southern blues,and putting his own spin on it is,then don't exclude ANY person no matter what color or nationality of " cultural shoplifting ",and to be technical about it,the guitar was a musical instrument that originated by European culture, so the first southern black man ( or woman) that picked up a guitar, and invented the blues did it by appropriating a European invention ,do you agree?I grew up in the 90s,and was around for the start of hip hop,a large portion of early rap was built on the sampling of songs that already existed, no one I've ever heard stated that rap was appropriating other musical genres for its benefit

[@Crisstti]

@@samuelsmith9929 I mean I don't think Morrissey is saying it in a negative way.

[@Crisstti]

That is actually a great observation. It's probably precisely why he used the image of Elvis!

[@prittywynzi663]

I have much pride for be fan of The Smiths IS THE BEST BAND EVER , Morrissey voice is wonderful❤️❤️❤️❤️🍀

[@gabrielabarros2036]

They are all so stylish

[@koelschejong01]

true you could still wear that in 2020.

[@Cruelbloom69]

Best guitar solo ever

[@jackholmes6964]

What a brilliant band morrisey was so great I love his dance in this video

[@slyestfox935]

Try it wen u go out I'd love to know the response your met with 😀

[@MargauxHemingway]

The Smiths sound, sounds great in 2024!

[@pondacres]

I love this song so much, one of my favorite Smiths songs

[@LeoPichara]

What to say... the most perfect song by THE most perfect band.

[@barbdrake5999]

I love how he’s wearing a shirt of the band

[@Pazuzu82]

Louder than bombs is such a very good compilation cd!

[@mjdomicello]

THIS MIGHT BE THEIR GREATEST ALBUM; EVEN THOUGH IT IS OFFICIALLY A COMPILATION ; IT HAD ENOUGH NEW MATERIAL TO BE A CLASSIC ON ITS OWN

[@gameuniverse_ua]

one of the best songs i ever heard

[@jupiter-8405]

This is nearly the end, we only saw their prime and that is so rare for bands.

[@Brunosbeto]

Como Morrissey era feliz no The Smiths! Mesmo ele dizendo hoje em dia que eles não se davam bem, que todos eram jovem demais, a gente percebe que Moz ficava bem à vontade entre os três no palco, a ponto de sua performance individual ser tão leve e sensualmente livre. Isso parece novo ainda nos dias atuais.

[@deniseaccioli5859]

Bem observado!

[@sexobscura]

Ele parece um tolo desajeitado

[@freya8133]

@@sexobscura No he doesn't.

[@juicylucy5797]

This is not the official music video because there never was one, It's top of the pops.

[@olgafigueroa2909]

What does top of the pops mean?

[@juicylucy5797]

@@olgafigueroa2909 It was a British TV show where bands of the day would mime their latest hits.

[@franciscochavira5260]

Siempre los Ingleses haciendo música de calidad y hermosa,...

[@snowairland]

I hear the blueprint for grunge guitar.

[@StewartyMac]

Double denim for the Moz here, going full on Shakin' Stevens!

[@Mike-ir9fx]

Lyrics of the highest order! And the band are all just perfect 👏👏❤️❤️unite and takeover! What a great concept 😂😂♥️

[@chrisedwards1333]

Best band ever.

[@daviedovey]

without the Smiths i'd have died in the 80s

[@dyres.6659]

Smiths were Marr. Period. Morrissey was whining fluff.

[@YegoYTP]

​@@dyres.6659 No.

[@waddaderek]

Is true Johny marr might be the single most underrated world famous guitarrist of alternative rock

[@Waltiswicked]

Might be? This song has some brilliant guitar.

[@queeneggplant]

guitar solo is killer. love it and listen to over and over

[@NormAppleton]

Yeah Johnny Marr, he's good.

[@carinarosales6899]

Me too he's the one of the best

[@Pbirv]

Winona Ryder's official anthem!!

[@angharad588]

Oh my Gods, that's funny!

[@kefran2a]

:')

[@TheWayIRage]

Andrew Chase i love her!! Lol

[@llewynlloydllewynson4660]

a fellow iancutisishungry follower i guess? ;)

[@ash3021]

what did she see.

[@Buugzy]

Awesome, thank you! The Smiths forever and always.. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if Morrissey dies… Rest In Peace Dusty Hill

[@connoroverall580]

Seductive Dance Moves .

[@SaintMartins]

Former 1980s teenagers...Of The World Unite ! ....on this page to re-live our youth, while dreading the fact that we're aging & no longer hip, cute or relevant in 2019.

[@jazwaddington7312]

say what you want, his hips don't lie.

[@jepoyman8smelita]

Good thing I wasn't able to see these videos in the 80s. The songs are much more cooler just hearing.

[@faeriefayee]

got caught borrowing and this song was playing in ma airpods what a moment

[@ferolcat2009]

Johnny Marr was always cool and still is..

[@NickFixHC]

Tried living in the real world Instead of a shell But before I began I was bored before I even began. My life.

[@MPWEST83]

I'm so in love with all the members of this band :) but Andy Rourke is my favorite 😍

[@docsavage8640]

That's some kind of dancing there, Steve.

[@AndyUpNorth67]

Brilliant song. What a topic for a song.

[@joshgifford428]

Lyrics of a lifetime

[@electroluxia]

Morrissey, don’t gyrate like that in front of me unless you MEAN it. Torturer! 😊 Love, always.

[@Metalmelting]

Forever !!! Cheers and Life On !!!

[@jdunn101ify]

Camera goes to Andy's bass for Johnny's solo 🙈

[@brianmac9063]

This is my favourite track of theirs- so melodic

[@victorrodriguez5765]

Lo maximo morrissey .................... un abrazo de Peru 🇵🇪 ...

[@user-kl4bh4lq6r]

Mozza and Marr on top form🎸🎤🇬🇧

[@inikainika1523]

Just CAME for the 4000th time watching this 🏂

[@DuplicitousDark]

The guitar work is just masterful. Hehehe

[@DuplicitousDark]

Lipsynching???

[@whocares11222]

Bullet For My Valentine

[@carinarosales6899]

@@whocares11222 it is

[@hcurtis77]

Such a great voice.

[@JC-qn3ws]

RIP Andy Rourke

[@kawaiimelly]

I love when Morrissey twirls his hips 🤣