THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

673-The Smiths-Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now.

1984-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 1.40. The ultimate ‘Marmite’ group, with the ultimate ‘Marmite’ song.

The Smiths (see also best songs 222-167 and 42) were formed in Manchester, England, in 1982, with the classic line up comprising of Morrissey, (lead vocals, and percussion) (see also best songs 940 and 72) Johnny Marr, (guitars, piano, keyboards, and harmonica) Andy Rourke, (1964-2023) (bass) and Mike Joyce, (drums) they remained active until 1987.

‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ was the fourth single released by The Smiths, and was issued as a stand alone single, to fill the gap between their debut studio Album ‘The Smiths,’ (1984) and their follow up ‘Meat Is Murder,’ (1985) ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ would be later added to The Smiths first compilation Album ‘Hatful of Hollow’ in November 1984. The song was written by Johnny Marr, (music) and Morrissey, (lyrics) with the production being by John Porter, (see also best songs 167) ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ is also notable for marking the beginning of producer Stephen Street’s (see also best songs 940-595-464-256 and 21) working relationship with The Smiths, as the ‘in-house engineer.’

The story goes that Seymour Stein, (1942-2023) who was the co-founder of ‘Sire Records,’ and the vice president of ‘Warner Bros. Records,’ and who had already signed artists such as ‘The Ramones,’ and ‘Madonna,’ had now turned his attentions to ‘The Smiths,’ and in an attempt to persuade them to sign with him, he had bought Johnny Marr a red ‘Gibson ES-355’ guitar, on which Marr composed the music to ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now.’ Marr has recalled sitting in a New York hotel room on January 2nd, 1984, and coming up with the songs riff, getting inspiration from his new guitar. After finishing ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now,’ he then wrote one of the songs ‘B’ sides, ‘Girl Afraid’ on the same evening, and considers the two songs ‘a pair.’

The lyrics for ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ were later added by Morrissey, and have gone a long way to defining the general public’s opinion of him, as on the track he sings about being depressed, and miserable. Speaking in 2017 Morrissey said,’Years ago I sang a song called ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now,’ and it’s like an old school uniform. People insist I wear it, but I’m really not that miserable. I’m not an unhappy person. Not in the least. I’m certainly very surprised and very pleased to still be here.’

For many years fans of The Smiths lived in hope that at sometime they might reform to play live, or even record together again, but any chance of that happening came to an end with the death of The Smiths bass player Andy Rourke in 2023. Andrew Michael Rourke was born on January 17th, 1964, in Manchester, England, and died after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer, on May 19th, 2023, at the age of 59. Andy Rourke who played on all of The Smiths recordings, was regarded as one of the greatest bassists of his generation, for his ‘melodic’ and ‘Funk’ inspired approach to bass playing. Rourke had known Johnny Marr since secondary school, where they both had attended ‘St Augustine’s Grammar School,’ in Sharston, Manchester. Rourke joined The Smiths after the groups first gig in 1982, when Johnny Marr fired the original bass player Dale Hibbert. One of the main causes of The Smiths splitting up in 1987 was that Andy Rourke, and the groups drummer Mike Joyce both started legal proceedings against Morrissey and Marr over royalties. Because he was short of money due to his heroin addiction, Andy Rourke settled out of court for £83,000, and 10% of all future royalties, while relinquishing all further claims. Mike Joyce pursued his claim until 1996, and was awarded substantially more in court, believed to be around £1 million, plus 25% of The Smiths recording royalties.

Morrissey had always been a fan of the English singer Sandie Shaw, (see also best songs 902) and in all probability was inspired by the song title of her 23rd, and final single of the 1960’s, ‘Heaven Knows I’m Missing Him Now,’ which failed to chart in 1969. ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ references the Roman Emperor ‘Caligula,’ who ruled from AD 37 to AD 41. Caligula was infamous for his depraved sex life, and incestuous relationships with his sisters. Morrissey sings in ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now,’ ‘What she asked of me at the end of the day, Caligula would have blushed.’

‘I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour but heaven knows I’m miserable now. I was looking for a job, and then I found a job, and heaven knows I’m miserable now. In my life, why do I give valuable time, to people who don’t care if I live or die’