...Best II


...Best II is a compilation album by The Smiths. It was released on November 2, 1992 by the new owner of their back catalogue, WEA. Its highest British chart position was #29; it did not chart in the U.S.

Background

WEA had acquired the entire Smiths back catalogue in early 1992. Along with the re-release of all original albums and compilations, they immediately set to work compiling a 'best of' collection in two volumes. It was the first time a regular best of compilation had ever been made of The Smiths' material and the first volume effortlessly reached the top of the British charts. This, the second volume, fared considerably worse. The British press continued to groan about sell-out and low track selection coherence.
The material is more or less picked and sequenced at random, and consists of both singles and album cuts. As with the first volume, in the UK a spin-off single was released: "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out". The single was released ahead of the compilation album and reached No. 25.

Cover

The UK and European release of the record featured the right half of a 1960s biker couple photograph by Dennis Hopper on its sleeve, with Best...I completing the picture; the U.S. sleeve was designed by singer Morrissey and once again features Richard Davalos, co-star of East of Eden.

Track listing

All tracks written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr.
  1. "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" ' – 3:16
  2. "The Headmaster Ritual" – 4:52
  3. "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" – 3:34
  4. "Ask" ' – 3:15
  5. "Oscillate Wildly" – 3:26
  6. "Nowhere Fast" – 2:35
  7. "Still Ill" – 3:20
  8. "Bigmouth Strikes Again" – 3:14
  9. "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" ' – 4:57
  10. "Shakespeare's Sister" – 2:08
  11. "Girl Afraid" – 2:46
  12. "Reel Around the Fountain" – 5:56
  13. "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" ' – 5:02
  14. "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" – 4:02

    Personnel