Shoplifters of the World Unite
Encyclopedia
"Shoplifters of the World Unite" is a song by The Smiths
. It was released as a single in January 1987, reaching #12 in the UK Singles Chart
. As was often the case with Smiths singles, it did not appear on an original studio album. It can be found on the Louder Than Bombs
, Singles and The World Won't Listen
compilations.
Another newly completed song, "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby", was originally intended to be the A-side of this single. The single even made it to the white label test pressing stage and approximately 900 stock copies of the single were manufactured before the proper single was issued. This aborted single mix can be heard on the UK compilation The World Won't Listen
, while the song was later remixed for the American compilation Louder Than Bombs
.
The title alludes to the communist
slogan "workers of the world, unite!
", and the 1966 David and Jonathan
hit 'Lovers of the World Unite'.
The man on the cover is a young Elvis Presley
.
During a chat with Shaun Duggan
, Morrissey explained the meaning of the song as follows: "It's more or less spiritual shoplifting, cultural shoplifting, taking things and using them to your own advantage."
Musically the song bears a strong resemblance to the T.Rex song "Children of the Revolution". Both Morrissey
and Johnny Marr
are Marc Bolan
fans, and Marr has admitted in an interview that the melody for a previous Smiths single, "Panic", was copied from "Metal Guru
". It also musically sounds like Thin Lizzy
's "The Boys Are Back In Town
". Johnny Marr has stated his love for Phil Lynott
many times.
The heavy metal band Pist.on recorded a cover of 'Shoplifters of the World Unite' on their 1996 album 'Number One'.
Morrissey has said that this is his favourite Smiths song. He sang it in his 1995, 1997, 1999/2000, 2004, 2007 and his 2011 concerts.
Alf Ramsey
was the England football manager from 1963 to 1974.
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
. It was released as a single in January 1987, reaching #12 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. As was often the case with Smiths singles, it did not appear on an original studio album. It can be found on the Louder Than Bombs
Louder Than Bombs
Louder Than Bombs is a compilation album by the English rock band The Smiths. It was released as a double album in March 1987 by their American record company, Sire Records. Its highest chart position was number 63. Popular demand prompted their British record company, Rough Trade, to issue the...
, Singles and The World Won't Listen
The World Won't Listen
-Band:* Morrissey – vocals* Johnny Marr – guitars, keyboard instruments, bass guitar on "Golden Lights"* Andy Rourke – bass guitar, cello on "Shakespeare's Sister" and "Oscillate Wildly"* Mike Joyce – drums...
compilations.
Another newly completed song, "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby", was originally intended to be the A-side of this single. The single even made it to the white label test pressing stage and approximately 900 stock copies of the single were manufactured before the proper single was issued. This aborted single mix can be heard on the UK compilation The World Won't Listen
The World Won't Listen
-Band:* Morrissey – vocals* Johnny Marr – guitars, keyboard instruments, bass guitar on "Golden Lights"* Andy Rourke – bass guitar, cello on "Shakespeare's Sister" and "Oscillate Wildly"* Mike Joyce – drums...
, while the song was later remixed for the American compilation Louder Than Bombs
Louder Than Bombs
Louder Than Bombs is a compilation album by the English rock band The Smiths. It was released as a double album in March 1987 by their American record company, Sire Records. Its highest chart position was number 63. Popular demand prompted their British record company, Rough Trade, to issue the...
.
The title alludes to the communist
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
slogan "workers of the world, unite!
Workers of the world, unite!
The political slogan Workers of the world, unite! is one of the most famous rallying cries of communism, found in The Communist Manifesto , by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels...
", and the 1966 David and Jonathan
David and Jonathan (band)
David and Jonathan was the name used by the British pop music duo Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook.They began working together in 1965 in Bristol, England, and wrote the songs "This Golden Ring" and "You've Got Your Troubles" for the group The Fortunes...
hit 'Lovers of the World Unite'.
The man on the cover is a young Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
.
During a chat with Shaun Duggan
Shaun Duggan
Shaun Duggan is a playwright/TV writer, based in the UK, who has written for Channel 4's Brookside and the BBC's EastEnders. He has also written an episode for the BBC television drama Waterloo Road, in 2006....
, Morrissey explained the meaning of the song as follows: "It's more or less spiritual shoplifting, cultural shoplifting, taking things and using them to your own advantage."
Musically the song bears a strong resemblance to the T.Rex song "Children of the Revolution". Both Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
and Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
are Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
fans, and Marr has admitted in an interview that the melody for a previous Smiths single, "Panic", was copied from "Metal Guru
Metal Guru
"Metal Guru" is a song by the British rock band T.Rex, written by Marc Bolan. It was the band's fourth number one on the UK Singles Chart when it topped the chart for four weeks in May-June 1972. It was also included on the album The Slider in 1972.Despite coming only ten months after the success...
". It also musically sounds like Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
's "The Boys Are Back In Town
The Boys Are Back in Town
"The Boys Are Back in Town" is a single from Irish hard rock band Thin Lizzy. The song came out in 1976 on their album Jailbreak. It was honoured with the 499th position among the 2004 Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, though it was not included in the 2010 update...
". Johnny Marr has stated his love for Phil Lynott
Phil Lynott
Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
many times.
The heavy metal band Pist.on recorded a cover of 'Shoplifters of the World Unite' on their 1996 album 'Number One'.
Morrissey has said that this is his favourite Smiths song. He sang it in his 1995, 1997, 1999/2000, 2004, 2007 and his 2011 concerts.
Track listing
Etchings on vinyl
UK 7" and 12": ALF RAMSEY'S REVENGE / noneAlf Ramsey
Alf Ramsey
Sir Alfred Ernest "Alf" Ramsey was an English footballer and manager of the English national football team from 1963 to 1974. His greatest achievement was winning the 1966 World Cup with England on 30 July 1966...
was the England football manager from 1963 to 1974.