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The Smiths Are Releasing Two New Songs for the First Time in Decades

The Smiths
Photo: Phil Dent/Redferns/Getty Images

Party like it’s 1984 in Manchester. Warner UK is releasing a previously unknown demo version of “The Boy With the Thorn in His Side†from the Smiths’$2 1986 album The Queen Is Dead. The single will be exclusively released on seven-inch vinyl, with the accompanying B-side being an alternate version of “Rubber Ring,†which appeared on the band’s 1987 compilation album Louder Than Bombs. A release date, per Morrissey’s fan website True to You, has yet to be announced, although you can see the Moz-designed vinyl cover now. Just don’t begin thinking wishfully about a reunion — Johnny Marr recently said that he believes any hope on that front has “run its course.†But who knows? There might be a light (to reunite!) that never goes out.

The Smiths Are Releasing Two New Songs