Six remarkable and unforgettable debut albums from the 1980s

The Smiths - The Smiths

Talking of Johnny Marrs guesting at Glastonbury, here’s where his brilliant guitar skills started to make his name. Marrs’ songwriting and guitar work made an excellent partnership with singer Morrissey and his lyrical skills in The Smiths.  The band were one of several truly influential bands from the 1980s and were early greats on the Manchester music scene. 

Self-titled album The Smiths was released in February 1984. Unlike a lot of early 1980s new wave music, the band didn’t follow the synth-pop approach. The focus was on Marrs’ bright guitar work, Morrissey’s vocal style and lyrics, and bass and drums in support. Occasional keyboards on the album came from Paul Carrack, much better known afterward as a singer with many top bands. 

This though wasn’t an uplifting album, it was somewhat dark and could be bleak. Morrissey wrote and sang of his angst, celibacy, and painful emotions of abuse. Two major tracks “This Charming Man” and “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” will be the better-known songs from the album to non-Smiths fans.

Despite that darkness, the album was a big success. The Smiths went straight in at number two on the UK charts and gold status. The album was a lesser success in the US reaching 150 in the charts.  The album set the band on the way to even more success and to inspire many new indie bands who would follow on.