The Most Popular Smiths Album, Ranked

Choose the album you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 5, 2024 06:49
Fans of The Smiths often have passionate debates about which album stands out as their pinnacle achievement. By ranking these albums, listeners old and new can gain insights into the band's musical evolution and see which works have resonated most with audiences over time. This interactive list enables you to cast your vote and see how your preferences compare with those of other fans. Your participation helps paint a clearer picture of The Smiths' enduring impact on music. Whether you're a longtime admirer or a newcomer, your input is valuable in shaping this dynamic list.

What Is the Most Popular Smiths Album?

  1. 1
    56
    votes

    The Queen Is Dead

    The Smiths
    This album is often considered the band's masterpiece, and contains some of their most iconic and beloved songs, including the title track, "Bigmouth Strikes Again," and "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out."
    The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by the British rock band The Smiths, released in 1986. It is considered one of their most popular and critically acclaimed albums.
    • Album Release Date: June 16, 1986
    • Genre: Indie rock, alternative rock
    • Label: Rough Trade
    • Length: 36 minutes and 46 seconds
    • Number of Tracks: 10
  2. 2
    43
    votes

    Meat Is Murder

    The Smiths
    This album explores the band's political and ethical concerns, and features some of their most politically charged songs, including the title track and "The Headmaster Ritual."
    Meat Is Murder is the second studio album by the English rock band The Smiths, released in 1985. Known for its outspoken and controversial themes, the album mainly addresses animal rights and vegetarianism.
    • Release Date: 1985
    • Genre: Alternative rock, indie pop, post-punk
    • Label: Rough Trade
    • Producer: The Smiths
    • Length: 39:42
  3. 3
    31
    votes

    Hatful of Hollow

    The Smiths
    While not technically a studio album, this collection of singles and B-sides is often considered a quintessential Smiths release. It features many of the band's most beloved songs, including "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" and "How Soon Is Now?"
    Hatful of Hollow is a compilation album by the English rock band The Smiths, released in 1984. It features a collection of the band's previously released singles, B-sides, and John Peel session recordings.
    • Release Year: 1984
    • Genre: Indie rock, post-punk
    • Label: Rough Trade
    • Length: 52:02
    • Number of Tracks: 16
  4. 4
    18
    votes

    The Smiths

    The Smiths
    The band's debut album introduced the world to Morrissey's distinctive voice and Johnny Marr's jangly guitar sound. It features songs like "This Charming Man" and "Hand in Glove."
    The Smiths is the debut studio album by the English rock band The Smiths, released on 20 February 1984. It was produced by John Porter and recorded at Pluto Studios in Manchester, England.
    • Release Date: 20 February 1984
    • Genre: Indie rock
    • Label: Rough Trade
    • Producer: John Porter
    • Studio: Pluto Studios, Manchester, England
  5. 5
    18
    votes

    Louder Than Bombs

    The Smiths
    Another compilation album, Louder Than Bombs features some of the band's most popular songs, including "Panic," "Ask," and "Shoplifters of the World Unite."
    Louder Than Bombs is a compilation album by the English rock band The Smiths, released in 1987. It features a collection of B-sides, singles, and other previously unreleased tracks. The album showcases the band's signature indie rock sound, blending melancholic lyrics with jangly guitars and Morrissey's distinct vocal delivery.
    • Release Date: March 30, 1987
    • Genre: Indie rock
    • Label: Rough Trade
    • Duration: 71:16
    • Number of Tracks: 24
  6. 6
    12
    votes
    The band's final album before their breakup, Strangeways is a more experimental and moody work than some of their earlier releases. It features songs like "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" and "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me."
    Strangeways, Here We Come is the fourth and final studio album released by the English rock band The Smiths. It was recorded in 1987 and released in September of the same year.
    • Genre: Alternative rock
    • Duration: 36 minutes and 14 seconds
    • Label: Rough Trade Records
    • Producer: Johnny Marr and Morrissey
    • Number of tracks: 10
  7. 7
    15
    votes
    This live album captures the Smiths at the height of their powers, performing many of their most iconic songs in front of an adoring audience.
    Rank is a live album by the British rock band The Smiths, released in 1988. It features recordings from the band's 1986 The Queen Is Dead tour and various other concerts during the same year. The album includes fan favorites like 'How Soon Is Now?' and 'Panic', capturing the energetic and captivating performances of the band in a live setting.
    • Release Date: 1988
    • Genre: Indie rock
    • Recorded: 1986
    • Label: Rough Trade
    • Length: 74:54
  8. 8
    13
    votes
    Like Hatful of Hollow and Louder Than Bombs, this compilation album features many of the band's most popular songs. It includes tracks like "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side" and "Stretch Out and Wait."
    The World Won't Listen is a compilation album by the English rock band The Smiths, released in 1987. It features a collection of their previously released singles, as well as B-sides and other tracks that were not included on their studio albums.
    • Release date: February 23, 1987
    • Genre: Indie pop, jangle pop, post-punk
    • Label: Rough Trade Records
    • Length: 49:55
    • Producer: Various, mainly The Smiths themselves
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    Another compilation album, Best...I features many of the band's biggest hits, including "This Charming Man," "How Soon Is Now?," and "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out."
    Best...I is a compilation album by the English rock band The Smiths. It was released in 1992 and features the greatest hits of the band. The album showcases the iconic sound and poetic lyrics that The Smiths were known for, making it a must-have for fans and a great introduction for new listeners.
    • Release Date: 1992
    • Genre: Indie pop, alternative rock
    • Length: 56 minutes
    • Record Label: WEA
    • Number of Tracks: 16
  10. 10
    2
    votes
    This box set includes all four of the band's studio albums, as well as many of their singles and B-sides. It's a comprehensive overview of the Smiths' career, and a must-have for fans.
    The Complete is a compilation album by the British rock band The Smiths. It was released in 2011 and features all the studio albums, singles, and B-sides from the band's discography. The album showcases the influential and unique sound of The Smiths, blending alternative rock with indie pop and incorporating poetic lyrics.
    • Release Year: 2011
    • Genre: Alternative rock, indie pop
    • Number of Discs: 4
    • Total Tracks: 81
    • Studio Albums Included: The Smiths, Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead, Strangeways, Here We Come

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Ranking factors for popular album

  1. Sales figures
    The album's commercial success is an important factor in determining its popularity.
  2. Critical reception
    The album's critical acclaim and reviews from music critics can be a good indicator of its popularity.
  3. Fan popularity
    The album's popularity among Smiths fans and its fan base can also be considered a factor.
  4. Long-term impact
    The album's impact on music and culture in the long term can also be taken into account.
  5. Songs
    The quality and popularity of individual songs on the album can also be taken into account.
  6. Legacy
    The album's lasting legacy in popular culture can also be considered.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Smiths album. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Album is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2121 views
  • 213 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Album once every 24 hours. The rank of each Album is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular smiths album

If you're a fan of alternative rock, chances are that you've heard of The Smiths. This iconic British band was active from 1982 to 1987, and their music continues to be celebrated today. With four studio albums under their belt, fans of The Smiths have their own opinions about which album is the best. From the critically acclaimed "The Queen Is Dead" to the fan favorite "Meat Is Murder," each album has its own unique sound and style. But which one is the most popular? Join us as we take a closer look at the discography of The Smiths and determine which album reigns supreme.

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