As reported last week, The Smiths have released "The Queen Is Dead" as a 12" single and 7" picture disc today. The limited edition vinyl releases mark the anniversary of the full length album The Queen Is Dead, which was released June 16th, 1986.
The 12" single is backed with three previously released instrumental tracks "Oscillate Wildly," "Money Changes Everything," and "The Draize Train"; the 7" picture disc is backed with the rarity "I Keep Mine Hidden." Both releases are available now exclusively in HMV record shops. View the announcement from the Smiths here.
Morrissey previously revealed that he was hoping to reissue TQID for its 30th anniversary last year, but was shot down by Warner Brothers. Read part of his May 2016 statement:
"I am sorry that Warner UK or Sire US cannot provide any celebrations for the anniversaries of both recordings, but, perhaps some label bosses have their eye on a tatty OBE, and perhaps others simply have detachable heads. It would not quite be the Smiths if not classically ignored by the dried-out lawns of the establishment. I urged Warner UK to issue a special 'The Queen Is Dead' single release for the first week of June ... but ... brick wall."
Moz didn't issue a statement about today's releases but posted a short teaser video on Facebook. View below.
UPDATE (6/17): Morrissey has now posted some comments and is annoyed over HMV's "one copy per customer" sticker and calls the sticker "an attempt to freeze sales" and "an overwhelming insult to the Smiths." Read his statement here.
Published June 16th, 2017