BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984
“How Soon Is Now?” is a song by the English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. Originally a B-side of the 1984 single “William, It Was Really Nothing”, “How Soon Is Now?” was subsequently featured on the compilation album Hatful of Hollow and on US, Canadian, Australian, and Warner UK editions of Meat Is Murder. Belatedly released as a single in the UK in 1985, it reached No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart. When re-released in 1992, it reached No. 16.
In 2007, Marr said “How Soon Is Now?” is “possibly [the Smiths’] most enduring record. It’s most people’s favourite, I think.” Despite its prominent place in the Smiths’ repertoire, it is not generally considered to be representative of the band’s style. Although a club favourite, it did not chart as well as expected. Most commentators put this down to the fact that the song had been out on vinyl in a number of forms before being released as a single in its own right. The original track runs for nearly seven minutes; however, the 7″ single edit cut the length down to under four minutes. The complete version is generally used on compilations.
This U.S. 12″ contains an alternate U.S. edit which is different from the UK 7-inch mix.
SIDE A:
How Soon Is Now? (Long Version) 6:44
SIDE B:
Girl Afraid 2:48
How Soon Is Now? (U.S. Edit) 3:54
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – 0-20284, Sire – 9 20284-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Rock
Style: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock
CREDITS:
Bass Guitar – Andy Rourke
Drums – Mike Joyce
Guitar, Mandolin –Johnny Marr
Music By – Johnny Marr
Photography By – Paul Slattery
Producer – John Porter
Voice – Morrissey
Words By – Morrissey
NOTES:
Made in U.S.A.
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Gracias denuevo, particularmente me encanta la versión us edit por que resumen las partes más importantes como dece va al grano y punto.
ty
I hesitate to make a request, because I enjoy everything you post and know it can be irritating to receive requests 🙂 but if you happened to have the 12″ of “The Smiths – That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore,” it would be amazing if you could post at some point. It has live songs on the b-side and I’ve always been curious to hear them, because they didn’t release much live music at all.
That being said, whatever you choose to post I’m so very grateful. Thank you for all the work you put into your blog, DJPaul! Much appreciated!
WHOA!! This is the special sauce! Thanks so much for this one, DJPaul – much appreciated! Cheers from Atlanta 🙂
Great Paul, THX!!
If you have got any others The Smiths 12″, it will be very much appreciated!
Cheers, from Buenos Aires.
Cheers, this is a brilliant share. I had not heard this edit. Have a good one, mate!
BEAUTY! Thank you, sir! Still a haunting tune and riff. The long version, wow, a tune to include on a late night long drive. Fantastic capture! Amazing that this song was only released as a single and never appeared on one of their LP’s.
I believe it was on most “Meat is Murder” albums (at least it was mine). I am not sure the song was credited on the album though it was on it at the end of side B.
Paul,
Thanks so much for this — I think it’s the first Smiths single on your blog, right? I’m an avid collector of their 12″ singles, but this is one I didn’t have so never knew that the edit was different. Thanks for sharing this treat in your usual stellar sound quality!
I have iconic memories of this song. Loved it and as other’s mentioned, probable my fave Smith’s song also. I was at a small outdoor concert of Edie Brickell in Panama City (Florida) and during her break (after talking about a limo and some toenails she found in the back floorboard), she had this song play. I remember I was trying to chat to two cute young ladies (and not having much success) when this song came on. We all remarked how much we loved this song. We shyly danced innocently and eventually Edie came back to finish her concert.… Read more »
Great backstory. Of course as you get much older the truism about receiving a smile from a pretty girl will apply once again.
Fantastic song, downloading and enjoying thanks DJPaulT
Awesome, I consider this to be one of the iconic songs from the 80s.
This sounds decidedly better than the album mastering. Thank you!
I forgot to add that I think Johnny Marr is a musical genius. The arrangement and guitar work on the title track is just sublime. The pulsating rythm guitar, combined with the haunting slide guitar, punctuated by shrill high notes, creates such an amazing mood.
How Soon is Now Italian 12 version is track 4 on William It Was Really Nothing single. It is the withdrawn Italian Version clocking in at around 7 minutes.
The Smiths – How Soon Is Now? is my favourite Smiths song.
Just love that tremolo sound and layered rhythmic leads, plus Morrissey’s smooth woeful vocals.
I’m a great fan of Johnny Marr, I love his guitar work with The Smiths, Electronic (Johnny Marr, Bernard Sumner, Neil Tennant) and his solo work (The Messenger and Down On The Corner are fabulous tracks).
Cool post Paul.
Great song. Strange, I dont think I actually have the US 12″ . Indeed it would be great to have the fabled Italian mispress. Rumor has it that this song was cryptically written about Morrissey’s falling out with Billy Mackenzie.
Got it on UK import on a whim. Had never heard anything by them. Perhaps not even heard OF them. After that purchase my perspective in certain areas sure did change! Thanks as always!
1!
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I believe this one was famously sampled by Soho with their hit Hippychick.
I remember buying the 1992 UK re-issue of this single, but this is a nice surprise with the inclusion of the US version.
Cheers Paul 🙂
Brilliant song by a brilliant band. Brilliant singer and a brilliant guitarist.
I fear I haven´t made myself clear – I find it brillliant 🙂
And I dare say and admit I even liked the t.A.T.u. version. Remember them?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAH0iuua-qI
You know Paul, the things you do just make me so full of emotion. The way you touch on so many of my particular musical favorites is uncanny. I tell Karen all the time about how you and I have such a close-knit sensibility of liking the same records. This is a case in point: I LOVE THIS RECORD!! It was my first introduction to the band and that, now iconic guitar part, became such an earworm nesting in my brain. And I’m certainly not the only one thinking that. Remember the band, SO-HO? Their song “Hippy Chick” made very… Read more »
This is probably the only song by The Smiths that most Americans recognize although they do have a huge American underground following. Love this one and so many others by Morrissey and company. Love the SO-Ho Hippy Chick track too.
Have a nice weekend 🙂
thanks for this. my faborite! i’ve always thought this sounds like something from The Cure.
You’re welcome Matt I agree with you 🙂
Wow Paul! Do you know who my favourite group of all time is (other than Imagination)? It’s The Smiths!
Thank you so much for posting this, it’s not regular BTG material so I really do appreciate it.
Also, I don’t usually post requests, but there is a super rare version of How Soon Is Now that got accidentally released on the b-side of the Italian ‘William It Was Really Nothing’ 12″. It’s a rough studio/monitor mix, not intended for release, quite different – I don’t suppose you have that in your collection???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP6CKc5m0No
Sorry, Jermajesty I don’t have the 12″ it’s pretty expensive and hard to get.
OMG, I just looked it up on discogs – yes, $500+ !! If I win the lotto, I will send you a copy. 🙂 Regarding this US single version, I don’t think I’ve actually heard it before. It’s got quite a few edits in it, which to my ears sound quite funny, as it dances about the original track trying to cram in verses and choruses that the UK edit doesn’t have. I think if you weren’t familiar with the track the US one would be the better edit, as it does at least bring the track up to more… Read more »
The “U.S. Edit”, as its stated here, is my favorite version of the song. Yes, it does seem a bit choppy in comparison to the original “Long Version” and U.K. “7 Inch Version”, but it works much better as a single. As you’ve stated Jermajesty, the “U.S. Edit” brings the song up to more of a crescendo, and in my opinion, it actually picks out the best parts of the song. “How Soon is Now?” remains one of my all-time favorite songs. The “U.S. Edit” is very rare on CD. I actually re-created it from the “Long Version”. Thanks for… Read more »
A great way to kick off the weekend, thanks Paul. Takes me back to the Friday nights of my youth.
You’re welcome, Jon. Have a nice weekend 🙂
Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
Ooo! Cheers for this.
I actually did NOT have this US Edit.
Appreciate ‘cha!
You’re welcome Richard 🙂