Radio sessions

 

31 May 1983 - John Peel Show (UK, BBC Radio One)
Handsome Devil
Reel Around The Fountain
Miserable Lie
What Difference Does It Make?
Recorded on 18 May 1983. Broadcast five times again over the following three years. All four tracks were released as the Peel session EP. All minus "Miserable Lie" were released on "Hatful Of Hollow".

4 July 1983 - David Jensen Show (UK, BBC Radio One)
Hand In Glove (single version)
These Things Take Time
You've Got Everything Now
Wonderful Woman
Morrissey was interviewed on the show, his first time on England's Radio One. Tracks 2 and 3 were compiled on "Hatful Of Hollow". The just released single of "Hand In Glove" was added to the set as the Smiths had only recorded three tracks for this session. On re-runs, this single version was replaced by a live performance from 29 June 1983.

5 September 1983 - David Jensen Show (UK, BBC Radio One)
Accept Yourself
I Don't Owe You Anything
Pretty Girls Make Graves
Reel Around The Fountain
Recorded 25 August 1983. "Accept Yourself" is found on "Hatful Of Hollow". "Reel Around The Fountain" was recorded but banned soon after by the BBC so the song wasn't broadcast until two years later when the whole session was repeated on Janice Long's programme.

21 September 1983 - John Peel Show (UK, BBC Radio One)
This Charming Man
Back To The Old House
This Night Has Opened My Eyes
Still Ill
Recorded 14 September 1983. All tracks were compiled on "Hatful Of Hollow".

14 April 1984 - Saturday Live (UK, BBC Radio One)
I Don't Owe You Anything
Jeane
Performed by Sandie Shaw, Johnny and Andy followed by an interview. Johnny then tested guitars with Bert Weedon, a guitar veteran. This can be found on Sandie Shaw's "Cool About You - The BBC Sessions 1984-1988" radio sessions compilation.

9 August 1984 - John Peel Show (UK, BBC Radio One)
William, It Was Really Nothing
Nowhere Fast
Rusholme Ruffians
How Soon Is Now?
Recorded 1 August 1984. All songs minus "How Soon Is Now" have been released on the "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" single. The reason why the session of "How Soon Is Now?" remains unreleased to this day might have to do with the fact that it was built mostly of samples from the original version. Only bass and one or two guitars seem to have been recorded for the session.

17 December 1986 - John Peel Show (UK, BBC Radio One)
Is It Really So Strange?
London
Half A Person
Sweet And Tender Hooligan
Recorded 2 December 1986. "Sweet And Tender Hooligan" and "Is It Really So Strange?" were officially released on the "Louder Than Bombs" album.

13 February 1994 -The Smiths At The Beeb
One hour special includes sessions appearances, excerpts of past interviews of Morrissey, Marr as well as contributions by John Peel, David Jensen, John Porter and Scott Piering. This broadcast has been repeated.

 

Quotes

Morrissey, on BBC sessions:
"Those sessions almost caught the very heart of what we did - there was something messy about them which was very positive. People are so nervous and desperate when they do those sessions, so it seems to bring the best out of them."
- Morrissey explains the reason for releasing "Hatful Of Hollow", Jamming!, December 1984