The World Won't Listen

by The Smiths

The World Won't Listen cover art
  • Type: Compilation
  • Released: 23 February 1987
  • Label: Rough Trade
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 52:08
  • Community rating: 4.13/5 from 4 ratings

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

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Intended primarily for the UK market as a follow-up to 'Hatful of Hollow', 'The World Won't Listen' gathers The Smiths' brilliant mid-career singles, B-sides, and aborted album sessions. The collection captures Johnny Marr pushing his intricate guitar work toward heavier, increasingly orchestral textures while Morrissey's cynical lyricism reaches its peak. Though structurally similar to the subsequent US compilation 'Louder Than Bombs', it features unique alternative takes of several key tracks.

Genres

Descriptors: melodic, jangly, literate, witty, guitar-driven

Tracklist

  1. Panic (2:19)
  2. Ask (3:16)
  3. London (2:06)
  4. Bigmouth Strikes Again (3:12)
  5. Shakespeare's Sister (2:09)
  6. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (4:02)
  7. Shoplifters Of The World Unite (2:56)
  8. The Boy With The Thorn In His Side (3:15)
  9. Asleep (4:09)
  10. Unloveable (3:54)
  11. Half A Person (3:35)
  12. Stretch Out And Wait (2:44)
  13. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore (3:49)
  14. Oscillate Wildly (3:26)
  15. You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby (3:30)
  16. Rubber Ring (3:46)

Credits

More from The Smiths: full discography