The Smiths were an alternative rock band which formed in 1982 in Manchester, England. The band originally consisted of Steven Patrick Morrissey (Vocals, Lyrics), Johnny Marr (Guitar, Music), Mike Joyce (Drums) and Andy Rourke (Bass). Hugely influential, The Smiths lasted all of five years from 1982 to 1987, releasing during this period four studio albums (The Smiths , Meat Is Murder , The Queen Is Dead and finally Strangeways, Here We Come ) and three compilation albums (Hatful of Hollow, The World Won't Listen and Louder Than Bombs). Meat Is Murder went on to enter the British charts at number one in February of 1985, and The Queen Is Dead further confirmed the band's popularity with its release in spring 1986. Greeted with enthusiastic reviews and peaking at number two on the U.K. charts, the album also developed The Smiths' cult following in the U.S., breaking into the Top 100.

After the band's split in 1987, a further six albums have been released, bringing the total number of Smiths albums to 13. These albums consisted of another five compilation albums ('Best ... I', '...Best II', 'Singles', 'The Very Best of the Smiths' and 'The Sound Of The Smiths'), and one live album ('Rank') recorded before the band's split during 'The Queen Is Dead' tour. Both 'Best 1' and 'Best 2' were heavily criticised by critics and some fans; however 'The Very Best Of', although with very similar content to said 'Best' albums, sold excellently, and drew much approval from critics.