xp seconded!
― daavid, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:44 (eight years ago) link
Would be lovely if "Shakespeare's Sister" sneaks in at #2.
― lingereffect (Kent Burt), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:44 (eight years ago) link
I voted for Wonderful Woman - would like to know how many others did.
― Eyeball Kicks, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:45 (eight years ago) link
Sorry..
― nate woolls, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:45 (eight years ago) link
The remaining two tracks are popular for good reason. I can't stick around to see the order but I will quickly point out that either way "Shakespeare's Sister" was robbed.
XXP: Haha!
― Maximum big surprise! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:45 (eight years ago) link
http://i.imgur.com/XtcvRew.jpg
2. THIS CHARMING MAN (Single A-side)1431 points | 56 votes | 3 first place votes
------------------------------
http://i.imgur.com/5gvVNGI.jpg
1. THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT (Album track from The Queen Is Dead)1777 points | 67 votes | 5 first place votes
FUCK!
― // 58,000 W A N K E R S // LOVE (Turrican), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:46 (eight years ago) link
"i-i-i-i-i-i-ice water for blood... "
― painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture (DavidM), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:46 (eight years ago) link
So William had the most #1 votes, I guess?
― Karl Malone, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:47 (eight years ago) link
All but 13 ballots then for the #1. Can't really argue with that
― groovypanda, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:47 (eight years ago) link
I have never, for the nearly 30 years I've been listening to The Smiths, understood how people find anything about This Charming Man, er, charming. Dud.
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:47 (eight years ago) link
I understand the appeal of "There's A Light" in theory but not in practice.
― daavid, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:47 (eight years ago) link
The jump in points between #2 and #1, though!
― // 58,000 W A N K E R S // LOVE (Turrican), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:48 (eight years ago) link
Hippychick >>>> How Soon is Now
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:48 (eight years ago) link
And we're done.
Thanks to everyone who voted and huge thanks to Johnny Fever for supply such great graphics at very short notice.
Full list below.
71. DEATH AT ONE'S ELBOW (Album track from Strangeways, Here We Come) 12 points | 1 votes | 0 first place votes70. MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING (B-side of 'Bigmouth Strikes Again') 19 points | 1 votes | 0 first place votes69. THE DRAIZE TRAIN (B-side of 'Panic' 12") 26 points | 1 votes | 0 first place votes68. WONDERFUL WOMAN (B-side of 'This Charming Man' 12") 37 points | 2 votes | 0 first place votes67. I KEEP MINE HIDDEN (B-side of 'Girlfriend in a Coma' 12") 41 points | 2 votes | 0 first place votes66. GOLDEN LIGHTS (B-side of 'Ask' 12") 45 points | 2 votes | 0 first place votes65. UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY (Album track from Strangeways, Here We Come) 63 points | 4 votes | 0 first place votes64. MISERABLE LIE (Album track from The Smiths) 70 points | 4 votes | 0 first place votes63. THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE (Album track from The Smiths) 71 points | 3 votes | 0 first place votes62. NEVER HAD NO ONE EVER (Album track from The Queen Is Dead) 93 points | 5 votes | 0 first place votes61. VICAR IN A TUTU (Album track from The Queen Is Dead) 97 points | 6 votes | 0 first place votes60. I DON'T OWE YOU ANYTHING (Album track from The Smiths) 102 points | 6 votes | 0 first place votes59. MEAT IS MURDER (Album track from Meat Is Murder) 104 points | 5 votes | 0 first place votes58. OSCILLATE WILDLY (B-side of 'How Soon Is Now?' 12") 161 points | 8 votes | 1 first place votes57. PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES (Album track from The Smiths) 180 points | 11 votes | 0 first place votes56. UNLOVEABLE (B-side of 'Bigmouth Strikes Again' 12") 210 points | 12 votes | 0 first place votes55. I WON'T SHARE YOU (Album track from Strangeways, Here We Come) 228 points | 10 votes | 1 first place votes54. ACCEPT YOURSELF (B-side of 'This Charming Man' 12") 230 points | 9 votes | 0 first place votes53. SHAKESPEARE'S SISTER (Single A-side) 230 points | 11 votes | 1 first place votes52. JEANE (B-side of 'This Charming Man') 249 points | 13 votes | 0 first place votes51. I STARTED SOMETHING I COULDN'T FINISH (Single A-side | Album track from Strangeways, Here We Come) 257 points | 13 votes | 0 first place votes50. SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN (B-side of 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now' | Album track from The Smiths) 258 points | 13 votes | 0 first place votes49. I WANT THE ONE I CAN'T HAVE (Album track from Meat Is Murder) 262 points | 12 votes | 0 first place votes48. THESE THINGS TAKE TIME (B-side of 'What Difference Does It Make?' 12") 285 points | 12 votes | 2 first place votes47. YOU'VE GOT EVERYTHING NOW (Album track from The Smiths) 292 points | 14 votes | 0 first place votes46. FRANKLY, MR. SHANKLY (Album track from The Queen Is Dead) 293 points | 14 votes | 0 first place votes45. WHAT SHE SAID (B-side of 'Shakespeare's Sister' | Album track from Meat Is Murder) 301 points | 13 votes | 1 first place votes44. NOWHERE FAST (Album track from Meat Is Murder) 305 points | 14 votes | 1 first place votes43. BARBARISM BEGINS AT HOME (Album track from Meat Is Murder) 310 points | 17 votes | 0 first place votes42. DEATH OF A DISCO DANCER (Album track from Strangeways, Here We Come) 350 points | 18 votes | 1 first place votes41. STRETCH OUT AND WAIT (B-side of 'Shakespeare's Sister' 12" | Album track from The World Won't Listen) 361 points | 17 votes | 1 first place votes40. IS IT REALLY SO STRANGE? (B-side of 'Sheila Take a Bow') 365 points | 19 votes | 1 first place votes39. BACK TO THE OLD HOUSE (B-side of 'What Difference Does It Make?') 391 points | 18 votes | 0 first place votes38. RUSHOLME RUFFIANS (Album track from Meat Is Murder) 393 points | 18 votes | 0 first place votes37 (TIE). A RUSH AND A PUSH AND THE LAND IS OURS (Album track from Strangeways, Here We Come) 395 points | 20 votes | 1 first place votes37 (TIE). LAST NIGHT I DREAMT THAT SOMEBODY LOVED ME (Single A-side | Album track from Strangeways, Here We Come) 395 points | 19 votes | 1 first place votes37 (TIE). PAINT A VULGAR PICTURE (Album track from Strangeways, Here We Come) 395 points | 15 votes | 2 first place votes34. WELL I WONDER (B-side of 'How Soon Is Now?' | Album track from Meat Is Murder) 402 points | 18 votes | 1 first place votes33. SWEET AND TENDER HOOLIGAN (B-side of 'Sheila Take a Bow' 12") 415 points | 20 votes | 0 first place votes32. HANDSOME DEVIL (B-side of 'Hand In Glove') 434 points | 21 votes | 1 first place votes31. LONDON (B-side of 'Shoplifters Of The World Unite' 12") 450 points | 22 votes | 0 first place votes30. ASLEEP (B-side of 'The Boy with the Thorn in His Side') 488 points | 23 votes | 0 first place votes29. GIRLFRIEND IN A COMA (Single A-side | Album track from Strangeways, Here We Come) 496 points | 25 votes | 0 first place votes28. RUBBER RING (B-side of 'The Boy with the Thorn in His Side' 12") 549 points | 26 votes | 1 first place votes27. YOU JUST HAVEN'T EARNED IT YET, BABY (Album track from The World Won't Listen) 567 points | 23 votes | 3 first place votes26. GIRL AFRAID (B-side of 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now' 12") 581 points | 25 votes | 3 first place votes25. SHOPLIFTERS OF THE WORLD UNITE (Single A-side) 588 points | 27 votes | 1 first place votes24. SHEILA TAKE A BOW (Single A-side) 640 points | 31 votes | 1 first place votes23. SOME GIRLS ARE BIGGER THAN OTHERS (Album track from The Queen Is Dead) 648 points | 28 votes | 4 first place votes22. HALF A PERSON (B-side of 'Shoplifters Of The World Unite') 706 points | 32 votes | 1 first place votes21. REEL AROUND THE FOUNTAIN (Album track from The Smiths) 708 points | 30 votes | 3 first place votes20. THAT JOKE ISN'T FUNNY ANYMORE (Single A-side | Album track from Meat Is Murder) 733 points | 33 votes | 0 first place votes19. I KNOW IT'S OVER (Album track from The Queen Is Dead) 779 points | 36 votes | 3 first place votes18. THIS NIGHT HAS OPENED MY EYES (Album track from Hatful of Hollow) 797 points | 32 votes | 2 first place votes17. STILL ILL (Album track from The Smiths) 799 points | 31 votes | 2 first place votes16. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET ME GET WHAT I WANT (B-side of 'William, It Was Really Nothing') 818 points | 39 votes | 1 first place votes15 (TIE). HAND IN GLOVE (Single A-side | Album track from The Smiths) 836 points | 35 votes | 1 first place votes15 (TIE). CEMETRY GATES (Album track from The Queen Is Dead) 836 points | 40 votes | 4 first place votes13. WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? (Single A-side | Album track from The Smiths) 875 points | 38 votes | 1 first place votes12. HEAVEN KNOWS I'M MISERABLE NOW (Single A-side) 945 points | 42 votes | 2 first place votes11. PANIC (Single A-side) 949 points | 42 votes | 0 first place votes10. STOP ME IF YOU THINK YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE (Album track from Strangeways, Here We Come) 962 points | 42 votes | 1 first place votes9. THE BOY WITH THE THORN IN HIS SIDE (Single A-side) 980 points | 43 votes | 2 first place votes8. BIGMOUTH STRIKES AGAIN (Single A-side | Album track from The Queen Is Dead) 1008 points | 44 votes | 1 first place votes7. THE HEADMASTER RITUAL (Album track from Meat Is Murder) 1018 points | 42 votes | 2 first place votes6. ASK (Single A-side) 1138 points | 48 votes | 2 first place votes5. THE QUEEN IS DEAD (Album track from The Queen Is Dead) 1205 points | 46 votes | 5 first place votes4. WILLIAM, IT WAS REALLY NOTHING (Single A-side) 1276 points | 50 votes | 7 first place votes3. HOW SOON IS NOW? (B-side of 'William, It Was Really Nothing' 12") 1306 points | 52 votes | 3 first place votes2. THIS CHARMING MAN (Single A-side) 1431 points | 56 votes | 3 first place votes1. THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT (Album track from The Queen Is Dead) 1777 points | 67 votes | 5 first place votes
Spreadsheet here if anyone wants to see all the ballots in one place, crunch some numbers, whatever:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rzuG2WAzg_H6-XsH-vH3ruXF7ysVaJhv2B--XbWQyIU/edit?usp=sharing
― nate woolls, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:49 (eight years ago) link
wow, that was a landslide! thanks so much for doing this, nate! (and Johnny Fever for the wonderful images!)
― soref, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:49 (eight years ago) link
I'm all right with "There is a Light" at #1; familiar as it is, it's still so evocative.
― one way street, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:49 (eight years ago) link
"There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" is a predictable #1 that I'm very happy with.
I will say one blasphemous thing, though: I prefer the Dum Dum Girls version to the original.
― JRN, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:49 (eight years ago) link
From Simon Goddard's book:
In a straw poll among Smiths fans today, ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ would more than likely still come in at number one;
― groovypanda, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:50 (eight years ago) link
My whole ballot placed, woop
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:50 (eight years ago) link
poor Death At One's Elbow, I nearly voted for you
― soref, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:50 (eight years ago) link
The intro to This Charming Man (up to the point the verse starts) is one of the most epic and exhilarating things ever created. Wouldn't you at least agree with that, JF?
― daavid, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:50 (eight years ago) link
This is my seven year old daughter's favourite Smiths song btw
― groovypanda, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:51 (eight years ago) link
This poll was a ton of fun from beginning to end. Thank you for running it nate woolls! And thanks to Johnny Fever for the fantastic images!
― JRN, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:51 (eight years ago) link
The last party I went to devolved into a faction in the living room dancing to "This Charming Man" and collectively yelping along with Morrissey's "a-uuuh"; I can't begrudge its placement either.
― one way street, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:52 (eight years ago) link
Yes, thank you Nate and JF!
― daavid, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:53 (eight years ago) link
Thanks to nate woolls and Johnny Fever for their work on this!
― one way street, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:53 (eight years ago) link
― daavid, Sunday, March 6, 2016 3:50 PM (39 seconds ago)
I wouldn't, but mainly because one of my least favorite elements of mid-80s UK guitar pop is when it borrows from US r&b/soul of the 60s. Like, if I want to hear a song based on The Supremes, I'll just listen to The Supremes.
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:53 (eight years ago) link
"what's the world" and "work is a four letter word"!!
― micro brewbio (crüt), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:54 (eight years ago) link
A pretty lacklustre top 10. But, while they're not my top three, those last few placings are pretty unfuckwithable Smiths songs
― painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture (DavidM), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:55 (eight years ago) link
51. I STARTED SOMETHING I COULDN'T FINISH
lol
― HYPERLINK TO RAP GENIUS (BradNelson), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:55 (eight years ago) link
I can't fathom "I Started Something" not ending up in the top forty.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:56 (eight years ago) link
This Charming Man was my #5 fwiw although I voted for Kervokian's New York Vocal mix (which both Marr & Morrissey hated at the time).
― groovypanda, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:56 (eight years ago) link
This was my ballot, btw:
ALBUMS1. hatful of hollow2. the queen is dead3. the smiths4. louder than bombs5. meat is murder
TRACKS1. reel around the fountain 2. there is a light that never goes out 3. the headmaster ritual4. accept yourself5. hand in glove6. william, it was really nothing7. this charming man8. i know it's over9. jeane10. how soon is now?11. you've got everything now12. ask 13. asleep 14. sheila take a bow15. that joke isn't funny anymore16. rubber ring17. bigmouth strikes again18. cemetry gates19. death of a disco dancer20. the boy with the thorn in his side
― one way street, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:56 (eight years ago) link
This Charming Man - I didn't vote for it because I knew others would and I wanted to cram in some other stuff. But, honestly, it's miraculous and would've been a worthy winner. Maybe Marr's best guitar part of all, and then the way the lyrics go from this florid scenario to "I would go out tonight..." is so weird and thrilling. It's amazing that a band could put out something so madly original as a second single (and then not even include it on the album). Also, rerecording the single to a click track, tightening up the rhythm and really making those guitars ring, was the best decision they ever made.
There is a Light - Good song, but I could happily never hear it again. I like the verses but the chorus is a bit plodding, and the emulated strings are naff. Those very quotable chorus lyrics are the essence of Smithsiness but too much nowadays for me.
― Eyeball Kicks, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:58 (eight years ago) link
Mine...but as I've said in this thread, I'd have moved That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore all the way up to my #1 if I'd realized in time how much in love I am with it.
TRACKS
Stretch Out and WaitAskThere Is a Light That Never Goes OutWhat Difference Does It Make?How Soon Is NowYou Just Haven't Earned It Yet, BabyBigmouth Strikes AgainPlease, Please, Please Let Me Get What I WantBack to the Old HousePanicSheila Take a BowI Know It's OverThat Joke Isn't Funny AnymoreThe Boy With the Thorn In His SideThese Things Take TimeFrankly, Mr. ShanklySweet and Tender HooliganShoplifters of the World UniteHand In GloveLast Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
ALBUMS
Louder Than BombsThe Queen Is DeadThe SmithsHatful of HollowStrangways, Here We Come
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:58 (eight years ago) link
This Charming Man has a fantastic velocity
― Check Yr Scrobbles (Moodles), Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:58 (eight years ago) link
Thanks a lot to Nate and Johnny for putting this all together.
― Kitchen Person, Sunday, 6 March 2016 20:59 (eight years ago) link
Excellent poll and rollout, gents! Much obliged.
Here's my ballots. . .
1. This Charming Man2. There is a Light That Never Goes Out3. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others4. The Headmaster Ritual5. Rubber Ring6. Stop Me if You Think You've This One Before7. Ask8. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now9. Panic10. William, it Was Really Nothing11. Bigmouth Strikes Again12. Wonderful Woman13. Girl Afraid14. Unhappy Birthday15. Half A Person16. Sweet and Tender Hooligan17. This Night Has Opened My Eyes18. Well I Wonder19. Reel Around the Fountain20. London
Albums:1. The Smiths2. Louder Than Bombs3. Meat is Murder4. Strangeways, Here We Come5.The Queen is Dead
― Austin, Sunday, 6 March 2016 21:03 (eight years ago) link
1 Death Of A Disco Dancer2 How Soon Is Now3 That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore4 The Headmaster Ritual5 This Charming Man (Francois Kervokian Remix)6 What Difference Does It Make?7 Bigmouth Strikes Again8 William, It Was Really Nothing9 There Is A Light That Never Goes Out10 Barbarism Begins At Home11 Ask12 Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before13 Panic14 Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others15 Sweet & Tender Hooligan16 Rubber Ring17 Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want18 Cemetry Gates19 Sheila Take A Bow20 I Know It's Over
1 Meat Is Murder2 The Queen Is Dead3 Hatful Of Hollow4 Strangeways, Here We Come5 Louder Than Bombs
― groovypanda, Sunday, 6 March 2016 21:04 (eight years ago) link
My non-placing songs were "I Won't Share You" (#7), "Accept Yourself" (#5), and "Jeane" (#2). I tried!
― JRN, Sunday, 6 March 2016 21:05 (eight years ago) link
"Ask" b/w "Golden Lights" - undoubtedly The Smiths' single worst release, for me. But anyway.
― painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture (DavidM), Sunday, 6 March 2016 21:06 (eight years ago) link
This was good fun. Cheers, all.
― painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture (DavidM), Sunday, 6 March 2016 21:07 (eight years ago) link
my ballot; I regret leaving out I Started Something I Couldn't Finish, I Don't Owe You Anything, Work Is A Four-Letter Word and about a dozen others
1 William, It Was Really Nothing2 Sheila Take a Bow3 Rusholme Ruffians4 Girl Afraid5 There Is A Light That Never Goes Out6 Rubber Ring7 Accept Yourself8 The Headmaster Ritual9 Stretch Out And Wait10 Back To The Old House11 This Night Has Opened My Eyes 12 Suffer Little Children13 You've Got Everything Now14 Unhappy Birthday15 Well I Wonder16 Pretty Girls Make Graves17 A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours18 These Things Take Time19 Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before20 Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
― soref, Sunday, 6 March 2016 21:08 (eight years ago) link
Cool poll! Thanks Nate, and thanks JF.
my ballot:
1. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me 2. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now 3. How Soon Is Now? 4. Panic 5. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out 6. Girlfriend in a Coma 7. This Charming Man 8. That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore 9. Hand in Glove 10. Shoplifters of the World Unite 11. The Boy With the Thorn in His Side 12. What Difference Does It Make? 13. Bigmouth Strikes Again 14. Ask 15. Shakespeare’s Sister 16. I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish 17. Sheila Take a Bow 18. Meat Is Murder 19. Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One Before 20. Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
.....aaaaand I just realized I accidentally left "William, It Was Really Nothing" off. Fuck!
― WilliamC, Sunday, 6 March 2016 21:41 (eight years ago) link
There Is a Light That Never Goes OutStill IllGirl AfraidThis Night Has Opened My EyesReel Around the FountainThis Charming ManYou Just Haven’t Earned It Yet BabyPaint a Vulgar PictureAskSweet and Tender HooliganWilliam It Was Really NothingHow Soon Is Now?Half a PersonThe Queen Is DeadCemetry GatesI Know It’s OverHandsome DevilJeaneWhat She SaidSuffer Little Children
― Hi! I'm twice-coloured! (Sund4r), Sunday, 6 March 2016 21:43 (eight years ago) link
1. You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby2. Reel Around the Fountain3. Paint A Vulgar Picture4. I Started Something I Couldn't Finish5. Still Ill6. Girl Afraid7. This Night Has Opened My Eyes8. I Want The One I Can't Have9. Handsome Devil10. London11. Pretty Girls Make Graves12. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others13. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore14. Shoplifters Of The World Unite15. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me16. You've Got Everything Now17. Death Of A Disco Dancer18. Well I Wonder19. Rubber Ring20. Suffer Little Children
― HYPERLINK TO RAP GENIUS (BradNelson), Sunday, 6 March 2016 21:58 (eight years ago) link
He's asking about the intro, though, which (accidentally) owes more to African guitar than soul before it bounces into Motown.
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 6 March 2016 21:59 (eight years ago) link
tracks1. bigmouth strikes again2. sheila take a bow3. rubber ring4. ask5. the queen is dead6. william, it was really nothing7. please, please, please let me get what i wan8. this charming man9. cemetery gates10. oscillate wildly11. is it really so strange?12. the headmaster ritual13. sweet and tender hooligan14. panic15. london16. stop me if you think you've heard this one before17. vicar in a tutu18. there is a light that never goes out19. girl afraid20. how soon is now?
albums1. the queen is dead2. louder than bombs3. hatful of hollow4. the smiths5. meat is murder
― balls, Sunday, 6 March 2016 21:59 (eight years ago) link
I Won't Share YouWilliam, It Was Really NothingI Started Something I Couldn't FinishReel Around The FountainThere Is A Light That Never Goes OutStop Me If You Think You've Heard This One BeforeYou've Got Everything NowThese Things Take TimeCemetery GatesHeaven Knows I'm Miserable NowA Rush And A Push And The Land Is OursThis Night Has Opened My EyesStill IllLast Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved MePaint A Vulgar PictureThe Boy with the Thorn in His SideThis Charming ManBack to the Old HouseThe Queen Is DeadRubber Ring
Hatful of HollowStrangeways, Here We ComeThe Queen is DeadLouder Than BombsThe Smiths
― Kitchen Person, Sunday, 6 March 2016 22:11 (eight years ago) link