Strangeways, Here We Come

by The Smiths

Strangeways, Here We Come cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 28聽September聽1987
  • Label: Rough Trade, WM UK
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 36:12
  • Community rating: 3.58/5 from 15 ratings

Artists on this release: Mike Joyce, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke, Morrissey

Album Notes & Community Reviews

The Smiths' final studio album, 'Strangeways, Here We Come', represents a significant stylistic departure, moving away from their signature jangle-pop towards a more experimental and sonically ambitious sound. Johnny Marr's compositions feature more complex, layered arrangements with keyboard-generated strings, synthesized saxophone, and drum machines, reflecting a conscious effort to explore new textures. This intricate musical backdrop complements Morrissey's lyrics, which continue to explore themes of fatalism, disillusionment, and morbid self-parody, cementing the album's status as a tonally complex farewell statement released after the band's dissolution.

Genres

Descriptors: jangly, witty, literary, male-vocals, theatrical

Tracklist

  1. A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours (03:03)
  2. I Started Something I Couldn't Finish (03:47)
  3. Death of a Disco Dancer (05:26)
  4. Girlfriend in a Coma (02:02)
  5. Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before (03:35)
  6. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (05:05)
  7. Unhappy Birthday (02:45)
  8. Paint a Vulgar Picture (05:36)
  9. Death at One's Elbow (02:00)
  10. I Won't Share You (02:53)

Credits

  • Morrissey - vocals, piano ("death of a disco dancer"), handclaps ("paint a vulgar picture"), co-producer, sleeve, words, voice, lyrics by
  • Johnny Marr - guitar, piano, keyboards, harmonica, marimba ("a rush and a push and the land is ours"), harmonium ("unhappy birthday"), autoharp ("i won't share you"), synthesised string and saxophone arrangements, additional vocals ("death at one's elbow"), handclaps ("paint a vulgar picture"), co-producer, music by
  • Andy Rourke - bass guitar, keyboards ("a rush and a push and the land is ours"), handclaps ("paint a vulgar picture")
  • Mike Joyce - drums, percussion, handclaps ("paint a vulgar picture")
  • Stephen Street - co-producer, string arrangement ("girlfriend in a coma")
  • Steve Williams - assistant engineer
  • Tim Young - mastering
  • Steve Wright - photography
  • Orchestrazia Ardwick - strings, saxophone
  • Jo Slee - art co-ordination
  • Caryn Gough - layout
  • Richard Davalos - cover star
  • Angie - photo by
  • Pat Bellis - press
  • Jane Sen - special thanks
  • Tony Taurins - lacquer cut by
  • Bobby Hata - mastered by [us]

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