There have been many books written about The Smiths. Some of them are rotten, some are excellent. The two most important references are:
Songs That Saved Your Life by Simon Goddard
Reynolds & Hearn, London (London 2002)
The Smiths: A Visual Documentary by Johnny Rogan
Omnibus Press, London (1993)
Goddard’s book approaches the story of The Smiths through their recording sessions, and follows each song or track from its inception to its release and beyond, thereby telling the story of The Smiths themselves – one of the best rock music books in print. Rogan’s Visual Documentary is a day-by-day, year-by-year account of the band. Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance (Omnibus Press 1992), also by Rogan, was the first serious look at the history of The Smiths.
Also referred to in the text are:
Manchester England by Dave Haslam
Fourth Estate, London (2000)
Haslam’s is a superbly readable history of the music business – largely its musical history – in Manchester, from the Victorian era to the present day. Not just a great book about Manchester, but a fine read in itself.
In Session Tonight by Ken Garner
BBC Books, London (1993)
Even more since his death, John Peel’s legacy is immeasurable. For anyone who listened to Peel over the years, this is a wonderfully readable account of the various sessions recorded not just for Peel but for other Radio One shows such as Kid Jensen and Janice Long.
The Right To Imagination And Madness by Martin Roach
Independent Music Press, London (1994)
A superb collection of interviews with some of indie and left-field rock’s most inspiring voices… not least the largest single interview in book form with Johnny Marr.
Morrissey: The Scandal And The Passion by David Brett
Robson, London (2002)
Not loved by many - the book took too great an interest in Morrissey’s sexuality for most readers - but there are some interesting interviews included, whether one agrees with the authors’ premises or not.
David Nolan’s Granada TV documentary These Things Take Time (2002) was an interesting take on The Smiths, using specially commissioned cartoon versions of the band instead of the real McCoy to illustrate Vic Reeves’ commentary. It also included a number of valuable interviews with members of the Smiths’ entourage.