Widely considered to be both The Smiths’ finest hour and one of the greatest albums ever made, The Queen Is Dead has cast a significant influence over subsequent generations since it was first released in the summer of 1986. The album features several of the band’s high-water marks including the title track and “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,” as well as the iconic singles “The Boy With The Thorn In His Side” and “Bigmouth Strikes Again.” 

Now Warner Bros/Rhino will release an expanded 5LP box set featuring a new 2017 master of the album, additional recordings (demos, B-sides & alternative takes) and the Live In Boston recording, all housed in a lift off box with two double gatefolds and one single. This reissue represents the first time that The Smiths’ back catalog has been revisited in such a way.

“You cannot continue to record and simply hope that your audience will approve, or that average critics will approve, or that radio will approve,” says Morrissey. “You progress only when you wonder if an abnormally scientific genius would approve – and this is the leap The Smiths took with The Queen Is Dead.” Johnny Marr adds, “The Queen Is Dead was epic to make and epic to live.”

LP1 – 2017 Remaster
1. The Queen Is Dead
2. Frankly, Mr. Shankly
3. I Know It’s Over
4. Never Had No One Ever
5. Cemetry Gates
6. Bigmouth Strikes Again
7. The Boy With the Thorn in His Side
8. Vicar in a Tutu
9. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
10. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others

LP2 – Additional Recordings
1. The Queen Is Dead (Full Version)
2. Frankly, Mr. Shankly
3. I Know It’s Over
4. Never Had No One Ever
5. Cemetry Gates
6. Bigmouth Strikes Again
7. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others

LP3 – Additional Recordings
1. The Boy With the Thorn in His Side
2. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (Take 1)
3. Rubber Ring (B-side)
4. Asleep (B-side)
5. Money Changes Everything (B-side)
6. Unloveable (B-side)

LP4 – Live In Boston
1. How Soon Is Now?
2. Hand in Glove
3. I Want the One I Can’t Have
4. Never Had No One Ever
5. Stretch Out and Wait
6. The Boy With the Thorn in His Side
7. Cemetry Gates

LP5 – Live In Boston
1. Rubber Ring/What She Said/Rubber Ring
2. Is It Really So Strange?
3. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
4. That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore
5. The Queen Is Dead
6. I Know It’s Over