The Smiths Meat Is Murder (1985) original U.S Sire First pressing - U.S seller

$

65

The Smiths – “Meat Is Murder" (1985) original U.S First pressing (free shipping / no tariffs)

Note for specialist collectors: 

This is a Specialty Records Corporation (SRC) Pressing, identified by the initials "SR" and a stamped "SRC" logo in the runout groove.

With the exception of "Nowhere Fast", which was recorded at Jam Studios in London, The Smiths recorded their second studio masterpiece, "Meat Is Murder", between mid-1984 and December 1984, mainly at Amazon Studios, Liverpool, and Ridge Farm Studio in Surrey. Mixing took place at Island Studios in London. Produced by the band, and aided and abetted by sound engineer Stephen Street, the record would become the Smiths only number one album in the U.K.

The front cover features a still of then 20 year old U.S. Marine Corporal Michael Wynn, taken from Emile de Antonio's 1969 Vietnam War documentary, In the Year of the Pig. The iconic photo was taken by photographer Bill Hall on September 21, 1967, in Da Nang, South Vietnam, during Operation Ballistic Charge. Wynn had written the slogan "Make War Not Love" on his helmet as a backlash against the hippie movement's "Make Peace, Not War". Morrissey repurposed the image using the "Meat Is Murder" slogan ensuring a bold social statement, and sparking nationwide debate on the perils of meat eating. Johnny Marr later remarked, that bringing the subject into the public consciousness and helping to convert thousands of people to vegetarianism, was one of his proudest achievements. 

An interesting fact about Sire versions of the album

The original U.K. version of the album only contained nine tracks, as How Soon Is Now? had already been released both as a B-side (William, It Was Really Nothing), an A-side, and an album track on the compilation Hatful of Hollow. However, the track was the best known Smiths song in America at the time, so it was subsequently added to the U.S and Canadian Sire releases. Although Sire included the track on the record label, they omitted to include it on the printed album sleeve, making this an interesting version for international collectors. Although the error was corrected on later CD pressings, Johnny Marr removed the track entirely from the album for the 2011 Rhino re-issue, thereby restoring the original U.K running order worldwide.

Side One

1. The Headmaster Ritual
2. Rusholme Ruffians
3. I Want The One I Can't Have
4. What She Said
5. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore

Side Two

1. How Soon Is Now? (not listed on sleeve or lyric sheet)
2. Nowhere Fast
3. Well I Wonder
4. Barbarism Begins At Home
5. Meat Is murder

Matrix / Runout 

(Side A): 1 25269 A REI SR3

(Side B): 1 25269 B REI SR3

This first-press U.S.A. album on the Sire records label is close to like-new condition and has never been played.

Condition

• Sleeve - Near Mint
• Vinyl - Mint /Un-played

• From a smoke-free, pet-free home
• Please review photos carefully as they form part of the description

Packaging

Record will be carefully packaged and shipped in a in a sturdy cardboard box to ensure safe delivery.

Important Notes

This is a vintage item and is sold as-is.

The photographs show the exact record you will receive.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions prior to purchase.

Seller Note

I am currently listing several original Smiths and Morrissey vintage items— please see my other listings if you are interested.