20 Killer B-Sides: No. 4
--Smiths (1984)
One of two B-sides on the 12-inch release of 'William, It Was Really Nothing,' the song that Sire Records honcho Seymour Stein would call "the 'Stairway to Heaven' of the '80s" was belatedly released on a single of its own when fans declared it an epic. U.S. audiences were introduced to it on the 'Meat Is Murder' album.
Listen to 'How Soon Is Now?'
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Posted by Spinner Staff
Filed under: The Hit List
Reader Comments(1 of 1)
Robat 6-18-2007
The Smiths are legends.I grew up on them.
Katieat 6-18-2007
I love this song so much.
James Woodsat 6-18-2007
Agreed! Although, "William" was a good song, when we discovered this on the B-side I remember our collective jaws dropping on the floor! I still get very excited when I hear the opening on the radio, only to discover that 9/10 times it's only the sample of Johnny Marr's opening and "Hippychick" start playing! What-a-bunch-o'-crap! I hope they paid out the nose for the use of that Smith's sample and that the royalty checks Morrisey and Co. deservedly receive make up for the fact that they let the sample be used in the first place. Long live the Smiths!
David Freibergerat 6-18-2007
Actually, according to a rock CD guide, this song is featured on Hatful of Hollow.
danat 6-18-2007
Ha anybody heard of the's 60-70's band from
Chicago called.."AORTA"...the "A" side off the album (single) was a tune called "SPINKLE ROAD TO CORK STREET"..The "b" side (written by the same writer..D. Hoagland)called ..."STRANGE"...Eventually..This tune was released as the "A" side by dj's giving it lots of radio time,.and getting plenty of call in requests...it's a collector...and still available on line..
"Strange" a catchy bone crushing rock and roller launched the Chicago group "AORTA" on the billboard charts with a respectable top 100 position for an "unknown bar band: at the time.
GXCoriat 6-18-2007
I like this song too, but honestly never heard it until it was in the movie The Craft and then of course later when it was used for the theme to the show Charmed. Both were remakes though. Strangely enough I have copies of the original and remake and like them both equally.
spinnermelat 6-18-2007
'Hatful of Hollow' is a compilation of BBC live material and b-sides.
gringoat 6-18-2007
Listening to "How soon is now?" transports me back to The Kitchen Club days in South Beach
gringoat 6-19-2007
takes me back to the late 80s at The Kitchen Club in South Beach
Herlihyat 6-19-2007
Actually, the remake was covered by Love Spit Love, a side project of the Psychedelic Furs' frontman Richard Butler.
Richardat 6-19-2007
I love this song. ALready saw morrissey once during his current US tour and he played this song. Can't wait to hear it again at Madison Square Garden on June 30th!!!
Kisafurat 7-17-2007
This song got me through my youth... and yes later years with Charmed (Luv ya Prue!). The ultimate meloncholy song~
Meganat 8-06-2007
This is the song that got me turned onto the smiths and morrissey's beautiful voice. And bloody hell, Johnny Marr's guitar is passionate and haunting. This song is just chilling and perfect.
TCat 10-07-2007
I am the Son and the Heir. I always thought he was singing I am the sun and the air. I am an heir head sometimes.LOL!
Hankat 10-18-2007
Classic song from a classic album(Meat is Murder)
One of my all time favorite songs. Also played in the movie(Closer)with Clive Owens and Natalie Portman
AnaContessaat 10-19-2007
I'm so glad that this song made the list. It's a classic. Takes me back to the dance floor in my 'trashy buy trendy' days of the late 80's/early 90's. If there could be only one Smith's song in the world, it would definitely be this one.
spoiltnbrattyat 2-20-2008
Gringo: I used to go to Kitchen Club too...I wish they had clubs that played all that alternative stuff still