What makes Ask by The Smiths notable?

The song became a significant hit for The Smiths, reaching number 14 on the UK Singles Chart, solidifying their status in the indie rock scene. Its enduring popularity has led to its inclusion in various retrospectives and compilations, influencing a generation of musicians exploring similar themes of alienation and desire. Released in late 1986, 'Ask' was part of The Smiths' prolific output during their peak years. Following their acclaimed album 'The Queen Is Dead', this single showcased the band's unique ability to mix melancholic themes with catchy melodies while retaining their indie cred.

How many songs are on Ask?

Ask has 3 tracks, running approximately 8 minutes.

Released 40 years ago this October

Ask

The Smiths · 1986

8 min · 3 tracks · indie rock

A shimmering blend of jangly guitars and introspective lyrics that encapsulate the bittersweet essence of youth and longing.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Ask — This title track stands out for its catchy chorus and poignant lyrics, addressing the complexities of love and vulnerability with a sense of urgency.
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Cemetry Gates — A reflective track that intertwines literary references with personal nostalgia, it highlights Morrissey's clever lyricism and the band's melodic strength.
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Golden Lights — Originally a cover, this track showcases The Smiths' knack for transforming an external song into something distinctly their own, marked by dreamy instrumentation and romantic yearning.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks full cohesion as a standalone work.

What we noticed

The title track 'Ask' features a prominent jangly guitar riff that drives the song, while the verses maintain a steady mid-tempo pace.
The second track, 'Cemetry Gates', shifts to a more reflective tone with layered vocal harmonies and a slightly faster tempo.
The final track, 'Golden Lights', introduces a more upbeat rhythm and a brighter melody, contrasting with the previous two tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Ask 2:59
2 Cemetry Gates 2:39
3 Golden Lights 2:38

What to play next

Listen next

Strangeways, Here We Come

1987

Go back to

The Queen Is Dead

1986

Full The Smiths discography Where to start with The Smiths Artists like The Smiths

indie rock new wave post-punk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata