Meat Is Murder was the The Smiths second studio album, released in February of 1985. It would become their only release to hit #1 in the United Kingdom.

Meat Is Murder is the most ecclectic Smiths LP. Featuring such divergent styles as funk, rockabilly, ballad, and dance, along with a particularly jangly version of the Smiths' signature indie rock, some fans believe it is the least listenable work from their catalog. A grower rather than an instant favorite, the album is often overlooked in favor of more accessable work. Also possibly detracting from the album's appeal is the fact that no popular single came from it. While "How Soon Is Now?" achieved modest success in the UK, hitting #24, it had already been released on several other albums. The only single taken strictly from Meat Is Murder was "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore," which peaked at #49.

Track Listing

  1. The Headmaster Ritual
  2. Rusholme Ruffians
  3. I Want the One I Can't Have
  4. What She Said
  5. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
  6. How Soon Is Now? (some releases)
  7. Nowhere Fast
  8. Well I Wonder
  9. Barbarism Begins at Home
  10. Meat Is Murder
The similarly titled "Meat Means Murder" is a song recorded by the anarcho-punk band Conflict.