The Smiths were an insanely prolific band, releasing four albums in four years that – it is truly no exaggeration to say - changed the history of music.
But since 1987? Not too much. Their last single was 1995’s posthumous Sweet and Tender Hooligan, issued to promote one of their many subsequent singles compilations, while their last single as a going concern was December 1987’s Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me, from their final album Strangeways, Here We Come.
So fans will be champing at the bit for any new slices of action that might come along – and it seems that a ‘new’ single is on the way soon.
According to the Morrissey fansite True To You, which the singer often uses to make announcements, there will be a new vinyl Smiths single headed up by a demo version of The Boy With The Thorn In His Side. Okay – it’s not a new song, but it’s previously unreleased, and it’s backed by another previously unissued track: an alternate version of Rubber Ring, which itself was the B-side to the original single release of The Boy With the Thorn in His Side back in 1985.
The sleeve has been designed by Morrissey and features a vintage shot of the actor Albert Finney.
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There are no further release details available yet – there’s a possibility it could be part of next year’s Record Store Day, which is scheduled for April 15.
So, yes, it might not be a properly new song, but still, what an absolute tune right?
(Image: Rex)
