"Singles"
collectors appendix

 

Germany/Europe CD [WEA 4509-99090-2]
View front and back artwork from the menu on the left. The spines show "The Smiths" in orange and "Singles", the WEA logo and the catalogue number in white. The booklet is actually an insert folded in six. When unfolded, it becomes a mini-poster showing the UK artwork to the 18 singles featured on the album (that's the 17 Rough Trade singles plus the blue variation of the "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" artwork from 1992). When folded it shows a black and white photo of the band in front of the Salford Lads Club, an illustrated album discography over two pages (including track listings) and one page of track listing and credits. The back of this 'booklet' is solid orange with the album's catalogue number in a small black font at the top and the cover artwork without text in the bottom left corner. The cd surface is orange with black text. The band name and title appear at the top, catalogue number and label copyright info on the left, various logos on the right and track listing at the bottom. The Warner logo is etched in the bottom right corner of the front panel of the jewel case.

Germany/Europe cassette [WEA 4509-99090-4]
The Diana Dors artwork was cropped for the cassette format (view left). The spine is black with "The Smiths" in orange, "Singles" in white, the catalogue number in white at the top and a WEA logo in white at the bottom. The back is white with the track listing printed in black around the barcode, above credits. The insert unfolds for five extra panels. The first shows the track listing and production/copyright credits in black and white. The second shows a photo of the Smiths in front of the Salford Lads Club. The other three panels together show an illustrated album discography with track listings. An illustrated singles discography is found on the reverse of the insert. The cassette is made of clear plastic with text (including full track listing) printed onto it in pale grey.

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Germany CD promo [WEA 4509-99090-2]
The release of this album was promoted in Germany with stock copies of the Germany/Europe cd paired with a German press sheet.

 

Australia CD [Warner Australia 99090-2]
Like most international editions on compact disc, the Australian edition is a near-perfect replica of the Germany/Europe cd. The credits on the back were probably adapted for Warner Music Australia (confirmation needed). The line "Made in Germany" was dropped from the cd surface, the credits around the cd's edge were adapted and the logos on the right side were slightly re-positioned and include a Digital Audio Technologies Australia logo. Information on the booklet is needed.

 

Brazil CD [WEA 4509-99090-2]
This item is probably very similar to its European counterpart. Information on how it differs from it is needed.

 

Canada CD [WEA CD 99090]
The Canadian cd is probably one of the more collected stock items on this page for the simple reason that it features all black and white artwork. This means that the name of the band on the front and spine appears in white instead of orange. The back is modelled after the back of the European cd instead of the expected American edition. However the catalogue number and France price code beneath the barcode are absent, the letters in the track listing don't have the edge that makes them stand out from the paler portions of the background, and the credits at the bottom were adapted for Warner Music Canada. It must be said that these credits are all in English (over 3 lines) on original pressings while they include French portions and an AOL Time Warner credit (over 4 lines) on later copies. The booklet is made of thicker and glossier paper than anywhere else. Information on whether or not its content differs to its European counterpart is needed. The cd surface is pink instead of orange but the text on it is still black and follows the same layout. The 'Made in Germany' line was dropped, the catalogue number was changed and printed in a bolder font, there are no credits around the edge and the label copyright credits on the left take 13 lines instead of just 3.

Canada cassette [WEA 99090-4]
Information needed.

 

India cassette [WEA99090/Magnasound C1-R1530]
The Indian cassette edition comes in a transparent clamshell case (a smaller variation on the classic VHS case). The front artwork is a cropped portion of the Diana Dors artwork showing only her head and a few knuckles. "The Smiths" appears in orange and "Singles" in white above the image, in the proper font. The spine and back are black with white text except for "The Smiths" on the spine which is orange. The back shows the track listing in white over black, with production credits at the bottom and label credits printed sideways on the right. It is not known whether or not the reverse of the insert shows anything. The cassette itself is made of clear plastic with white text printed directly onto it.

 

Japan CD [WEA WPCR-265]
The original Japanese cd comes in a jewel case with white cd tray. The front artwork is the same as in most other countries. The back was adapted from the European back artwork: the barcode was moved to the back of the obi, the catalogue number was corrected and the credits were adapted. The obi is deep orange with black text. A track listing and various label credits are found on its back, all in Japanese. The booklet/insert is identical to its European counterpart with the exception of the catalogue number on the back. A second insert, this one black and white, features the album's track listing in English and Japanese, what appears to be a bio in Japanese, and all the lyrics in English and Japanese. It is folded in six to be fitted inside the case alongside the usual booklet. The cd surface looks like that of the European cd, but the colour is closer to vermillion and a few changes were made here and there to account for the involvement of WEA Japan.

Japan CD [1997 reissue on WEA WPCR-1273]
This edition is very likely identical to the original 1995 edition with corrected catalogue number and a different obi (confirmation needed).

Japan CD [2000 reissue on WEA WPCR-1924]
This edition is very likely identical to the original 1995 edition with corrected catalogue number (confirmation needed). The obi was changed for a sunny orange one with "Super Best" graphics at the top and release information in white and yellow Japanese characters. A track listing and the barcode are found on its back. The cd tray is still made of white plastic.

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Japan CD promo [WEA WPCR-265]
Stock copies of the original 1995 edition were made into promos by having a white sticker with red promo characters and a six-digit number glued beneath the track listing on the back and the same three promo characters stamped on the compact disc's inner rim.

Japan counter stand or flyer
This item has been advertised by different sellers as a 10" x 7" counter stand or a flyer (who is right? view here). It was used to advertise the "Singles" compilation as well as the complete reissue of the Smiths' album catalogue in Japan.

Japan ad
Black and white ad. View here.

 

Korea CD [WEA 4509-99090-2]
The Korean cd features the usual cd artwork on the front but the cropping is slightly different and the text is slightly elongated. The back is the same apart from the different manufacturing credits and label logos at the bottom, and the fact that the track listing is positioned slightly higher. Information about the booklet and cd surface needed.

Korea cassette [WEA 4509-99090-4]
The packaging of this cassette edition was loosely modelled on its European counterpart described above, but many changes were made to it. The front artwork looks the same at first glance, but a closer inspection reveals that it was cropped differently and the text is not quite the same in size and position. The spine is pink/orange with the band name and album title in black, in English and Korean. A WEA logo is found at the top of it and a Warner Music Korea logo at the bottom. The back flap features a track listing, three lines of credits and a Warner Music logo, all in black over white. The insert's first panel shows a black and white photo of the band in front of the Salford Lads Club, compressed horizontally to fit the narrow space. The album's track listing and song credits are printed in black over orange on the insert's second panel. The lyrics follow in the same colour pattern over the next five panels, and are continued on the reverse's three first panels, but in black over white. The remaining space on the reverse features paragraphs of black and white Korean text (perhaps lyrics translations?) for every song featured on the album. The cassette is made of off-white plastic and bears very pale blue paper labels with darker blue text. Album identification and track listing is found at the top of them on each side, with a Warner Music Korea logo on the left, the side letter on the right and two lines of credits at the bottom.

 

Malaysia cassette [WEA 4509-99090-4/WE491]
This Malaysia cassette is very well packaged but it still may not be a licensed release. The front shows the same cropped portion of the usual Diana Dors artwork as in Europe, but "The Smiths" appears in white instead of orange. The spine imitates the spine of the European cassette but the text on it is pale blue. The back is like the back of the European cassette except for the trimmed down credits. The track listing is repeated inside, with production and copyright credits beneath it (additional insert information needed). The cassette is made of clear plastic with text, including full track listing, printed onto it in pale grey.

 

Peru cassette [WEA CSC 99090-4]
The Peruvian cassette shows the cd artwork on the front, above a black section featuring the track listing in white and "The Smiths" in red. The spine is black with white and red release information and a white WEA logo at the top. The back is black with white track listing and a Peruvian distribution credit. The track listing is repeated in black over white on the insert's reverse, alongside production credits. The cassette is made of clear plastic. It has glossy black labels with white track listing, catalogue number, WEA logo and Peruvian distribution credits.

 

Philippines cassette [WEA/Warner Music Philippines 4509-99090-4]
The insert of this edition differs from its German/European counterpart described at the top of this page by just one minor detail: the credits on the back flap were replaced with a Warner Music Philippines credit. The cassette itself however looks nothing like the European one. It is made of clear plastic and bears white paper labels with black text. The album identification and track listing at the top of them, WEA logo and catalogue number on the left, side number on the right and a Warner Music Philippines credit at the bottom.

 

Poland cassette [Polton PCW-660]
The packaging of this item is almost identical to its European counterpart, but there is a holographic sticker on the front attesting that this is an official release (Poland is reknown for its bootleg/counterfeit reproductions). An additional Polton logo is found on the spine and the words "Made in Poland" replace "Made in Germany" on the back. The insert has five extra panels just like the European edition and the credits on them appear to have remained untouched (confirmation needed). The cassete is made of clear plastic with white text printed directly onto it. The track listing is at the top on each side, and a Polton logo on the left.

 

South Africa CD [Warner Bros/Tusk WICD5203]
This item shows the usual UK artwork on its front. The barcode on the back was changed, the catalogue number and label code beneath it were removed, logos for Asami and Tusk were added to the right of the WEA logo and credits at the bottom were adapted. The catalogue number on the spine was changed to "WICD5203". Information about the booklet and disc is needed.

 

Spain promo CD [WEA SP065W]
In 2001, three months before the release of "The Very Best Of The Smiths", this one-track cd of "This Charming Man" was distributed in Spain to promote the "Singles" album. This is a bit odd considering that "The Very Best Of The Smiths" was actually put together as a more exhaustive version of "Singles" after the latter title became out of print in Europe (it features the same content as "Singles" plus five additional tracks). This promo cd has an orange surface except for the text which is silver (uncoloured). The line "extraido de su album Singles a la venta el 26 de Marzo" ("from the Singles album on sale from March 26th") appears in the bottom half. The cd was distributed in a slimline jewel case without any insert.

 

Taiwan CD [WEA 4509-99090-2]
There are two different Taiwanese editions of "Singles", both with the same catalogue number.

  • 1995 edition
    The original edition features the usual cd artwork on the front. It comes wrapped in a black card obi with white and dark orange text. The rest of the packaging apart from the obi may be identical to the 2005 edition described below. Additional information needed.
  • 2005 edition
    The main difference between the original edition and this reissue is the card slipcase in which the 2005 edition was distributed. It shows on the front the usual Diana Dors artwork framed in khaki-gold and white (back info needed). The rest of the packaging may be identical to that of the original 1995 edition. The front shows the usual cd artwork. The back looks similar to the back of the European cd but there may be minor differences in the credits (confirmation needed). The booklet appears to be identical to the European booklet (confirmation needed). Information about the cd surface is needed.

 

Thailand cassette [WEA 99090-4]
The insert of this edition is identical to its European counterpart. The case has a Warner Music Thailand sticker on the front. The cassette itself is made of greenish clear plastic with pale grey text printed directly onto it: album identification and track listing at the top, WEA logo and catalogue number on the left, copyright and manufacturing credit at the bottom.

 

Turkey cassette [MMY Musik 4509-99090-4]
The Turkish cassette is very similar to its European counterpart. The insert looks the same apart from the slightly alternate credits on the back. The cassette is made of clear plastic with pale grey text as in Europe, but the font and layout are different and the text includes additional MMY Musik logo and credits.

 

UK 60cm x 40cm promo poster [30" x 20"]
This poster has an orange background. The bottom half shows the front artwork of the 18 singles featured on the album (that's the 17 Rough Trade singles plus the blue variation of the "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" artwork from 1992). The top half is almost empty, it only shows the "Singles" album artwork in the top right corner, beneath "The Smiths" in black and "Singles" in white (flat photo needed).

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UK in-house cassette [Warner Music 4509-99090-2/4]
This in-house reference cassette features the same material as the final album. The insert is a generic white one. Unlike other Warner in-house cassettes, this one is not dated. It has the track listing printed on the front (first 9 tracks) and the insert's first panel (final 9 tracks). The band name and title are printed at the top and on the spine. A Warner Music logo is found on the front and on the spine. The cassette itself is a home usage TDK with printed label at the top on each side. These labels state the side ('A'/'B'), "The Smiths" and "Singles".

UK acetate transparency
Information needed.

 

USA CD [Reprise 9 45932-2]
The American cd edition is very similar to the European edition on which it was modelled. The front shows the usual cd artwork (view left). The back is the same as in Europe except for the Reprise Records credits and logo replacing the WEA ones (with a slight reajustment of the layout around the barcode; view left). The booklet is a reduced version of the European booklet. It does not unfold into a mini-poster showing the singles discography, but it does show the photo of the band in front of the Salford Lads Club, the usual black and white track listing page and the album discography over two pages. This discography differs from the one found in the European edition by the absence of "The World Won't Listen" (which was never released in the USA) and the inclusion of the video compilation "The Complete Picture". The back of the booklet is just like in Europe except for the changed catalogue number. The cd is orange with the same text layout as in Europe, with minor expected changes made in the catalogue number, credits and logo to account for the involvement of Reprise Records.

USA CD [BMG Direct 9 45932-2, D108712]
This record club edition differs from the standard retail edition described above by only a few details. The front is the same. The back differs only by the presence of the BMG Direct catalogue number and a BMG Direct credit inside the barcode box. However, unlike other BMG Direct editions, this one retains a barcode, the extra information having been added beneath it. The spine and booklet are identical to their counterparts in the standard retail edition. The cd has an additional BMG credit on the right side above the logos.

USA cassette [Reprise 9 45932-4]
The American cassette features on its front the usual cassette variation of the artwork. The spine and back are as in Europe except for the alternate catalogue number (on spine and barcode), Reprise logo (on spine) and Reprise credits (on back). The insert unfolds for five extra panels (view left). The first has the usual track listing and production/copyright credits in black and white. The second has the photo of the Smiths in front of the Salford Lads Club. The other three together show an illustrated album discography with track listings. This discography differs from the one found in the European edition by the absence of "The World Won't Listen" (which was never released in the USA) and the inclusion of the video compilation "The Complete Picture". The cassette is made of clear plastic and has blue labels with white text and Reprise logo.

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USA CD promo [Reprise 9 45932-2]
The album was promoted with stock copies of the compact disc stamped with a promo warning in gold on the front of the insert.

USA various artists promo CD [Warner]
A various artists promo cd titled "1995 Warner Guide" featured excerpts from songs off the "Singles" album.

USA press photo
View here.
View much bigger at Morrissey Scans.

USA promo poster 60cm x 90cm (24" x 36")
View here (better photo needed).

USA promo flat
Promo flats were usually sent to retail for instore promotion at the time of release of an album. They are made of thick card and are the size of a LP. The "Singles" promo flat is 2-sided. Additional information needed.

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USA advance cassette [Reprise (number?)]
This advance cassette comes with a generic Reprise Records insert showing on the front a Reprise logo, "The Smiths Collection", "Singles" and the track listing. The cassette itself is made of clear plastic. "The Smiths Collection" and "Singles" is printed on labels glued on each side of it. These labels are the type that come with blank cassettes sold for home usage.

USA CD acetate
An American cd acetate has made it into the hands of collectors. The cd has a white surface with three lines of information in black and a blue Warner Bros (WB) logo. The insert is white with the album's track listing printed over a pale version of the same WB logo.

 

unknown [Art Pop 3031-99090-2]
The exact origin of this edition is not known, but it is almost certainly an unlicensed pressing. The front shows the usual cd artwork like almost everywhere else. The back was modelled on that of the basic European edition, but changes were made in the barcode and in the various elements usually found beneath it, particularly in the three lines of credits. The booklet appears to be as expected, with its orange back page featuring a small reproduction of the front artwork in the bottom left corner and the catalogue number at the top. The most striking difference with all other editions is the disc which shows a sepia-tinted variation of the front artwork on its surface. "Art Pop" appears at the top of it in blue, above the name of the band and "Singles" also in blue. There is a Compact Disc logo on the left above the catalogue number, and one line of beige text including numbers around the bottom edge. Any additional information would be welcome.