The Smiths (album)

The Smiths
Studio album by
Released20 February 1984 (1984-02-20)
RecordedSeptember–November 1983
Studio
Genre
Length42:55 (original UK vinyl release)
45:36 (versions including "This Charming Man")
LabelRough Trade
ProducerJohn Porter
The Smiths chronology
The Smiths
(1984)
Hatful of Hollow
(1984)
Singles from The Smiths
  1. "What Difference Does It Make?"
    Released: 16 January 1984

The Smiths is the debut studio album by English rock band the Smiths, released on 20 February 1984 by Rough Trade Records. After the original production by Troy Tate was felt to be inadequate, John Porter re-recorded the album in London, Manchester and Stockport during breaks in the band's UK tour during September 1983.

The album was well received by critics and listeners, and reached number two on the UK Albums Chart, staying on the chart for 33 weeks. It established the Smiths as a prominent band in the 1980s music scene in the United Kingdom. The album also became an international success, peaking at number 45 in the European Albums Chart,[4] remaining in the chart for 21 weeks.[5] After its exit of the European chart, it then re-entered in the Hot 100 Albums from September for another run of three weeks.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference PopMatters was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Blender's 100 Greatest Indie-Rock Albums Ever". Stereogum. 14 November 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  3. ^ Jackson, Josh (13 July 2016). "The 50 Best Post-Punk Albums". Paste. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  4. ^ "European Hot 100 Albums Chart" (PDF). Music & Media. 19 March 1984. p. 17. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  5. ^ "European Hot 100 Albums Chart" (PDF). Music & Media. 13 August 1984. p. 12. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  6. ^ "European Hot 100 Albums Chart" (PDF). Music & Media. 24 September 1984. p. 14. Retrieved 14 October 2019.