Shoplifters of the World Unite

"Shoplifters of the World Unite" is a song by The Smiths. It was released as a single in January 1987, reaching #12 in the UK Singles Chart. As was often the case with Smiths singles, it did not appear on an original studio album. It can be found on the Louder Than Bombs, Singles and The World Won't Listen compilations.

The title bears reference to the communist slogan "workers of the world, unite!". It has been suggested that the song is about homosexuality, and further that it is a critique of Section 28.^[1] This is perhaps owing to the similarity between the word "shoplifter" and the word "shirtlifter", a slang term for a homosexual man in the United Kingdom.

During a chat with Shaun Duggan, Morrissey explained the meaning of the song as follows: "It's more or less spiritual shoplifting, cultural shoplifting, taking things and using them to your own advantage."

Musically the song bears a strong resemblance to the T. Rex song "Children of the Revolution". Both Morrissey and Johnny Marr are Marc Bolan fans, and Marr has admitted in an interview that the melody for a previous Smiths single, "Panic", was copied from "Metal Guru".^[2] It also musically sounds like Thin Lizzy's The Boys Are Back In Town. Johnny Marr has stated his love for Phil Lynnott many times.

Morrissey has said that this is his favourite Smiths song. He sang it in his 1995, 1997, 1999/2000, 2004 and his 2007 concerts.

The Smiths performing "Shoplifters of the World Unite" on Top of the Pops.

1 Track listing
- 1.1 7": Rough Trade / RT195 (UK)
- 1.2 12": Rough Trade / RTT195 (UK)
2 Etchings on vinyl
3 Artwork
4 References

[edit] Track listing

[edit] 7": Rough Trade / RT195 (UK)

"Shoplifters of the World Unite"
"Half a Person"

[edit] 12": Rough Trade / RTT195 (UK)

"Shoplifters of the World Unite"
"London"
"Half a Person"

[edit] Etchings on vinyl

UK 7" and 12": ALF RAMSEY'S REVENGE / none

Alf Ramsey was the England football manager from 1963 to 1974.

[edit] Artwork

Photograph of Elvis Presley by James R. Reid.

[edit] References

v • d • e The Smiths

Morrissey · Johnny Marr · Andy Rourke · Mike Joyce Craig Gannon · Dale Hibbert

Studio albums	The Smiths · Meat Is Murder · The Queen Is Dead · Strangeways, Here We Come

Band-assembled compilation albums	Hatful of Hollow · The World Won't Listen · Louder Than Bombs

Live albums	Rank

Compilation albums	Stop Me · Best...I · ...Best II · Singles · The Very Best of The Smiths

Singles	"Hand in Glove" · "This Charming Man" · "What Difference Does It Make?" · "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" · "William, It Was Really Nothing" · "How Soon Is Now?" · "Shakespeare's Sister" · "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" · "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" · "Bigmouth Strikes Again" · "Panic" · "Ask" · "Shoplifters of the World Unite" · "Sheila Take a Bow" · "Girlfriend in a Coma" · "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" · "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" · "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" · "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" · "Sweet and Tender Hooligan"

Related articles	Rough Trade Records