The World Won't Listen

{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox album | name = The World Won't Listen | type = compilation | artist = the Smiths | cover = TWWL.jpg | alt = | released = {{Start date|1987|2|23|df=y}} | recorded = 1984–1986 | studio = | genre = * Alternative rock * indie pop | length = 52:24 | label = Rough Trade | producer = Various (see main text) | prev_title = The Queen Is Dead | prev_year = 1986 | next_title = Louder Than Bombs | next_year = 1987 }} {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-world-wont-listen-mw0000460423 |title=''The World Won't Listen'' – The Smiths |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=26 June 2011 |last=DiGravina |first=Tim}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Blender'' | rev2score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=2724 |title=The Smiths: ''The World Won't Listen'' |magazine=Blender |date=15 September 2004 |accessdate=9 November 2015 |last=Power |first=Tony |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630193914/http://blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=2724 |archivedate=30 June 2006}}</ref> | rev3 = ''The Encyclopedia of Popular Music'' | rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|year=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|edition=4th|isbn=978-0195313734|title-link=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev4score = 7.1/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16027-the-smiths-complete/ |title=The Smiths: ''The Smiths Complete'' |work=Pitchfork |date=18 November 2011 |accessdate=6 March 2012 |last=Wolk |first=Douglas |author-link=Douglas Wolk}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Select'' | rev5score = 5/5<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Smiths |journal=Select |issue=35 |date=May 1993 |last=Harrison |first=Andrew |page=104}}</ref> | noprose = yes }} '''''The World Won't Listen''''' is a compilation album by the English rock band the Smiths, released on 23 February 1987 by Rough Trade Records. The album is the second of three compilation albums—the others being ''Hatful of Hollow'' and ''Louder Than Bombs''—released by the Smiths while they were still an active band. It reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, staying on the charts for 15 weeks.<ref>{{Citation|title=The World Won't Listen – The Smiths {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-world-wont-listen-mw0000460423|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://diffuser.fm/smiths-world-wont-listen/|title=The Smiths Collect Singles, B-Sides on 'World Won't Listen'|last=Wawzenek|first=Bryan|website=Diffuser.fm|date=23 February 2017|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref> In the United States ''Louder Than Bombs'' was released in place of ''The World Won't Listen''.

==Background== The album is a collection of the band's singles and select B-sides from 1985 to 1987. Additionally, the scrapped single "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby" (which was passed over for "Shoplifters of the World Unite") and the near-single "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" (a single candidate from ''The Queen Is Dead'' that was passed over in favour of "Bigmouth Strikes Again") were included.<ref name=":2" />

The title reflects Smiths singer Morrissey's belief that mainstream radio and record buyers weren't paying attention to the band.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rhino.com/article/this-day-in-1987-the-smiths-the-world-wont-listen|title=This Day in 1987: The Smiths, The World Won't Listen {{!}} Rhino|website=rhino.com|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref> The compilation was succeeded three months later by ''Louder Than Bombs''. Originally intended solely for US release, Rough Trade chose to also release ''Louder Than Bombs'' in the UK. It featured a similar, but extended track listing to ''The World Won't Listen''.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16027-the-smiths-complete/|title=The Smiths: The Smiths Complete|website=Pitchfork|date=18 November 2011|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref> ''The World Won't Listen'' contains two versions of songs that do not appear on ''Louder Than Bombs'': the single version of "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" and the single edit of "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore". Additionally, ''The World Won't Listen'' contains different versions of two songs that would appear on ''Louder Than Bombs:'' "Stretch Out and Wait" features an alternate vocal, and "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby" appears in a slightly different and longer mix.<ref name=":3" /> In Australia and New Zealand, a double LP (and double cassette) second edition was released with an additional 12 tracks on the extra disc.{{citation needed|date=March 2026}} The 12 extra tracks are mostly sourced (in order) from ''Louder than Bombs'' as well as "Panic" B-side "The Draize Train", which doesn't otherwise appear on either. The 2011 reissue replaced the single version of "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side" with the album version. Also of note is the fact that "Ask" appears on both ''The World Won't Listen'' and ''Louder Than Bombs'' in a slightly different and longer mix than its single version.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/83080-The-Smiths|title=The Smiths|publisher=Discogs|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>

After WEA acquired the Smiths' back catalogue in 1992, all Smiths albums were re-released in the UK in 1993 at mid-price, including ''The World Won't Listen'', which was expanded to include a cover of "Golden Lights" and the original Rough Trade cassette edition bonus track "Money Changes Everything" (the "Bigmouth Strikes Again" B-side, also later released on the deluxe edition of ''The Sound of The Smiths'').{{citation needed|date=March 2026}} In the US, the albums were also re-released in 1993, although ''The World Won't Listen'' was not included among them.

==Artwork and packaging== The CD sleeve for ''The World Won't Listen'' is based on the cassette version of the sleeve layout; the original album featured a larger picture of a 1960s fairground scene, of which this is a crop. The sleeve was designed by Morrissey, using a photo by Jürgen Vollmer from the book ''Rock 'N' Roll Times: The Style and Spirit of the Early Beatles and Their First Fans''.

==Release== The album was released on 23 February 1987.<ref name=":0" /> It first charted on 3 March 1987, remaining in the top 100 for 15 weeks and peaking at No. 2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/the-world-won%27t-listen/|title=the world won't listen {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref> ''The World Won't Listen'' returned to the UK top 100 for two weeks in 1995, following its re-release by WEA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/21136/smiths/|title=The Smiths {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref> In 2011, ''The World Won't Listen'' was included in the Smiths' compilation box set ''Complete''.<ref name=":4" /> This marked the first time the album was officially released in the US.

==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_writing = Morrissey/Marr, except "Money Changes Everything" and "Oscillate Wildly", written by Johnny Marr, and "Golden Lights", written by Twinkle | headline = Side one | extra_column = Source | title1 = Panic | extra1 = Single A-side | length1 = 2:21 | title2 = Ask | extra2 = Remix of single A-side | length2 = 3:15 | title3 = London | extra3 = B-side of "Shoplifters of the World Unite" | length3 = 2:07 | title4 = Bigmouth Strikes Again | extra4 = From ''The Queen Is Dead'' | length4 = 3:13 | title5 = Shakespeare's Sister | extra5 = Single A-side | length5 = 2:08 | title6 = There Is a Light That Never Goes Out | extra6 = From ''The Queen Is Dead'' | length6 = 4:05 | title7 = Shoplifters of the World Unite | extra7 = Single A-side | length7 = 2:58 | title8 = The Boy with the Thorn in His Side | extra8 = Single A-side version | length8 = 3:16 | title9 = Money Changes Everything | extra9 = B-side of "Bigmouth Strikes Again" – only on original cassette and all CD re-releases since 1993 | length9 = 4:43 }} {{Track listing | headline = Side two | extra_column = Source | title10 = Asleep | extra10 = B-side of "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" | length10 = 4:10 | title11 = Unloveable | extra11 = B-side of "Bigmouth Strikes Again" | length11 = 3:56 | title12 = Half a Person | extra12 = B-side of "Shoplifters of the World Unite" | length12 = 3:36 | title13 = Stretch Out and Wait | extra13 = Alternate vocal version of B-side of "Shakespeare's Sister" | length13 = 2:45 | title14 = That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore | extra14 = Single A-side edit | length14 = 3:49 | title15 = Oscillate Wildly | extra15 = B-side of "How Soon Is Now?" | length15 = 3:26 | title16 = You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby | extra16 = UK mix of aborted single A-side | length16 = 3:31 | title17 = Rubber Ring | extra17 = B-side of "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" | length17 = 3:48 }} {{track listing | headline = All CD re-releases since 1993 | extra_column = Source | title18 = Golden Lights | extra18 = B-side of "Ask" | length18 = 2:40 }}

{{track listing | headline = Australia/New Zealand double LP – side three | extra_column = Source | title18 = Is It Really So Strange? | extra18 = B-side of "Sheila Take a Bow"; John Peel session, 2/12/86 | length18 = 3:04 | title19 = Sheila Take a Bow | extra19 = Single A-side | length19 = 2:41 | title20 = Sweet and Tender Hooligan | extra20 = B-side of "Sheila Take a Bow"; Peel session, 2/12/86 | length20 = 3:13 | title21 = Girl Afraid | extra21 = B-side of "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" | length21 = 2:48 | title22 = William, It Was Really Nothing | extra22 = Single A-side | length22 = 2:11 | title23 = Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now | extra23 = Single A-side | length23 = 3:34 }} {{Track listing | headline = Side four | extra_column = Source | title24 = Golden Lights | extra24 = B-side of "Ask" | length24 = 2:39 | title25 = The Draize Train | extra25 = B-side of "Panic" 12" | length25 = 3:27 | title26 = Back to the Old House | extra26 = B-side of "What Difference Does It Make?" | length26 = 3:05 | title27 = Hand in Glove | extra27 = Single A-side mix | length27 = 3:13 | title28 = Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want | extra28 = B-side of "William, It Was Really Nothing" | length28 = 1:52 | title29 = This Night Has Opened My Eyes | extra29 = From ''Hatful of Hollow''; Peel session, 14/9/83 | length29 = 3:40 }}

==Personnel== * Morrissey – vocals * Johnny Marr – guitars, keyboard instruments, slide guitar on "Panic"<ref name=":2">Goddard, S, 2013. Songs That Saved Your Life – The Art of The Smiths 1982-87. 2nd ed. U.K.: Titan Books. P. 217.</ref> and "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore",<ref>Goddard, S, 2013. Songs That Saved Your Life – The Art of The Smiths 1982-87. 2nd ed. U.K.: Titan Books. P. 356.</ref> harmonica on "Ask",<ref>Goddard, S, 2013. Songs That Saved Your Life – The Art of The Smiths 1982-87. 2nd ed. U.K.: Titan Books. P. 224.</ref> mandolin on "Golden Lights", marimba on "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side"<ref>Fletcher, T, 2012. A Light That Never Goes Out: The Enduring Saga of the Smiths. 1st ed. U.K: Random House.P. 453.</ref> * Andy Rourke – bass guitar, cello on "Shakespeare's Sister" and "Oscillate Wildly" * Mike Joyce – drums, tambourine on "Stretch Out and Wait"<ref>Goddard, S, 2013. Songs That Saved Your Life – The Art of The Smiths 1982-87. 2nd ed. U.K.: Titan Books.</ref> * Craig Gannon – rhythm guitar on "Panic", "Ask", "London", "Half a Person", "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby" and "Golden Lights", lead guitar on coda of "London",<ref>Goddard, S, 2009. Mozipedia: The Encyclopaedia of Morrissey and the Smiths. 1st ed. India: Ebury Press. P. 227.</ref> mandolin on "Golden Lights"<ref>Fletcher, T, 2012. A Light That Never Goes Out: The Enduring Saga of the Smiths. 1st ed. U.K: Random House. P. 520.</ref>

===Additional musicians=== * Kirsty MacColl – backing vocals on "Ask" and "Golden Lights" * John Porter – sound effects on "Ask",<ref>Goddard, S, 2013. Songs That Saved Your Life – The Art of The Smiths 1982-87. 2nd ed. U.K.: Titan Books. P. 222.</ref> drum machine and bass on "Golden Lights"<ref>Goddard, S, 2009. Mozipedia: The Encyclopaedia of Morrissey and the Smiths. 1st ed. India: Ebury Press. P. 149.</ref> * Stephen Street – additional drum machine programming on "London", sound effects on "Asleep",<ref>Goddard, S, 2013. Songs That Saved Your Life – The Art of The Smiths 1982-87. 2nd ed. U.K.: Titan Books. P. 171.</ref> sampling on "Rubber Ring"<ref>Goddard, S, 2013. Songs That Saved Your Life – The Art of The Smiths 1982-87. 2nd ed. U.K.: Titan Books. P. 169.</ref>

===Production=== * Johnny Marr – producer (track 7) * Johnny Marr, Morrissey and Stephen Street – producers (track 3 and 12) * Morrissey and Marr – producers (tracks 4, 6, 10–11, 17) * John Porter – producer (tracks 1–2, 9, 16, 18) * The Smiths – producers (tracks 5, 8, 13–15)

==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+Chart performance for ''The World Won't Listen'' !scope="col"|Chart (1987) !scope="col"|Peak<br />position |- !scope="row"|Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=279}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|25 |- {{album chart|Netherlands|15|artist=The Smiths|album=The World Won't Listen|rowheader=true|access-date=5 August 2023}} |- {{album chart|Germany|41|id=32561|artist=The Smiths|album=The World Won't Listen|rowheader=true|access-date=5 August 2023}} |- {{album chart|New Zealand|16|artist=The Smiths|album=The World Won't Listen|rowheader=true|access-date=5 August 2023}} |- {{album chart|Norway|17|artist=The Smiths|album=The World Won't Listen|rowheader=true|access-date=5 August 2023}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|19|artist=The Smiths|album=The World Won't Listen|rowheader=true|access-date=5 August 2023}} |- !scope="row"|UK Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web |title=Smiths {{!}} full Official Chart History |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/21136/smiths/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |accessdate=13 April 2017}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|2 |}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ !scope="col"|Chart (2025) !scope="col"|Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Croatian International Albums (HDU)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-4-tjedan-2025/|title=Lista prodaje 4. tjedan 2025.|date=20 January 2025|publisher=HDU |language=hr|access-date=7 February 2025|archive-date=7 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207110516/https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-4-tjedan-2025/|url-status=live}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"| 36 |}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''The World Won't Listen''}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=The Smiths|title=The World Won't Listen|award=Gold|certyear=1987|relyear=1987|id=7500-175-2|access-date=5 August 2023}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

==Tribute== British artist Phil Collins produced an exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art that included a three-part video project titled ''The World Won't Listen'', which was filmed in Turkey, Indonesia and Colombia. The video features young people performing karaoke versions of songs by The Smiths.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dma.org/press-release/phil-collins-world-wont-listen|title=Phil Collins: the world won't listen {{!}} Dallas Museum of Art|website=dma.org|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{The Smiths}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:World Won't Listen, The}} Category:The Smiths compilation albums Category:B-side compilation albums Category:1987 compilation albums Category:Rough Trade Records compilation albums Category:Sire Records compilation albums Category:Albums produced by John Porter (musician, born 1947) Category:Albums produced by Stephen Street