description The Queen Is Dead Overview
The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by the English band the Smiths, released in 1986. Written primarily by Morrissey and Johnny Marr, it combines Marr's layered guitar arrangements with lyrics addressing romance, isolation, social convention, and British public life. The album includes the title track, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, and Bigmouth Strikes Again, and became an important reference point for British independent rock.
insights Ranking position
The Queen Is Dead ranks #4 of 435 in the Post Punk Album ranking, behind Metal Box, ahead of Entertainment!.
help The Queen Is Dead FAQ
Why was The Queen Is Dead controversial before listeners even heard it?
Its title could be read as an attack on the British monarchy, although the phrase also evokes Hubert Selby Jr.'s novel Last Exit to Brooklyn. The sleeve reinforced the album's theatrical mood with an image of French actor Alain Delon from the film L'Insoumis.
Which songs on The Queen Is Dead were released as singles?
The Boy with the Thorn in His Side and Bigmouth Strikes Again were issued as singles connected with the album. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out became one of the Smiths' best-known songs despite not receiving its principal UK single release until years later.
Who plays the unusual guitar parts on The Queen Is Dead?
Johnny Marr created the layered guitar arrangements, while Andy Rourke played bass and Mike Joyce played drums. On tracks such as The Headmaster Ritual-era Smiths material and Bigmouth Strikes Again, Marr used overdubbing and alternate tunings to avoid conventional rock-guitar weight.
Was The Queen Is Dead the Smiths' final album?
No, it was their third studio album, released in 1986. Strangeways, Here We Come followed in 1987 and became the band's final studio album after the Smiths split.
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