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Singles is the seventh compilation album by English rock band The Smiths, pitched as a compilation of previously issued singles. It was released in February 1995 by the new owner of their back catalogue, WEA (Sire Records in the United States). Its highest British chart position was #5; it did not chart in the United States. Blender magazine listed the album among the "500 CDs You Must Own" on their website.[1]

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Singles
Greatest hits album by The Smiths
Released	February 20, 1995 (1995-02-20)
Recorded	1983–1987
Genre	Alternative rock, indie pop
Length	62:32
Label	Warner Music Group
Producer	John Porter, The Smiths, Roger Pusey, Dale "Buffin" Griffin and Stephen Street
The Smiths chronology
...Best II (1992) Singles (1995) The Very Best of The Smiths (2001)

Background

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[3]

WEA (now the Warner Music Group) acquired the entire Smiths back catalogue in early 1992. After re-releasing all of The Smiths' original albums and compilations and issuing a two-volume best of compilation (Best...I and ...Best II) in 1992, they decided to celebrate The Smiths' reputation as a "singles band" by issuing a collection of the band's singles in 1995. Only the singles released in the UK were included.

Despite the album's title, the Singles versions of "Hand in Glove", "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" and "Ask" were not the original single mixes. Similarly, "What Difference Does It Make?", "How Soon Is Now?", "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" and "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" were the full-length album versions, that are on the original 12´ singles, as opposed to the original single edits.

Cover

The cover features previously unused artwork designed by Morrissey, featuring singer and actress Diana Dors in a still from the 1956 film Yield to the Night.

Spin-off singles

WEA decided to promote the album in the UK by re-releasing the "Ask" single with its two original B-sides, "Cemetry Gates" and "Golden Lights". The single charted at #62. In the United States, Sire decided to release "Sweet and Tender Hooligan", a single of rarities, to promote the album, with a newly designed sleeve by Morrissey. It failed to chart.

Track listing

Personnel

The Smiths

• Mike Joyce – drums
• Johnny Marr – guitars, keyboard instruments, harmonica, synthesized saxophone, string and flute arrangements
• Morrissey – vocals
• Andy Rourke – bass guitar, cello on "Shakespeare's Sister"

Additional musicians

• Craig Gannon – rhythm guitar on "Panic" and "Ask"
• Kirsty MacColl – backing vocals on "Ask"
• John Porter – slide guitar on "Sheila Take a Bow"
• Stephen Street – drum machine on "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" and synthesized string arrangements on "Girlfriend in a Coma"

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[4]	Gold	100,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[5]	Platinum	300,000^
United States	—	395,150[6]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

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