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Artists like The Smiths — and the music that made them

Indie Pop · 1982-1987
Jangly guitars, devastating wit, and beautiful melancholy defined indie rock
The Smiths were a Manchester band (1982-1987) featuring Morrissey's theatrical vocals and Johnny Marr's chiming guitars, creating some of the most influential alternative rock ever recorded. Their combination of literary wordplay, emotional vulnerability, and infectious melodies laid the blueprint for indie rock and inspired countless bands.
Essential tracks
This Charming Man
How Soon Is Now?
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
Did you know
Morrissey and Johnny Marr never wrote songs in the same room together
Their debut album was recorded in just 13 days for £6,000
The band never had a UK #1 single despite massive influence
“Melancholic melodies paired with literary wit and jangling guitar virtuosity.”
2
generations
of influence
Influence tree
Trace The Smiths's roots back through history
Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.
The Smiths
1982-1987
Orange Juice
1979-1985
cited
The Buzzcocks
1976-1981
cited
Wire
1976-1980
sonic
T. Rex
1970-1977
cited
David Bowie
1969-1983
cited
Television
1973-1978
sonic
The Velvet Underground
1965-1973
cited
The Kinks
1964-1979
sonic
↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.
What makes the sound
Sonic elements
Jangly, chiming guitar arpeggios
Morrissey's distinctive crooning vocals
Prominent, melodic basslines
Literary, melancholic lyrics
Start with these tracks
This Charming Man
How Soon Is Now?
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
Hand in Glove
If you like The Smiths, try these
Belle and Sebastian
They share literate lyrics, jangly guitars, and melancholic indie sensibilities.
1990s · Indie Pop
Radiohead
Early work features similar Manchester-influenced alternative rock and introspective themes.
1990s · Alternative Rock
Pulp
Jarvis Cocker's wit and social observation echoes Morrissey's lyrical approach.
1990s · Britpop
Suede
Brett Anderson's vocal style and theatrical persona directly channels Morrissey.
1990s · Britpop
Orange Juice
They pioneered the jangly guitar sound and indie sensibility that defined The Smiths.
1980s · Post-Punk
The Stone Roses
Fellow Mancunians who shared similar guitar textures and alternative rock foundations.
1980s · Madchester
About this page

Music like The Smiths — The Smiths were a Manchester band (1982-1987) featuring Morrissey's theatrical vocals and Johnny Marr's chiming guitars, creating some of the most influential alternative rock ever recorded. Their combination of literary wordplay, emotional vulnerability, and infectious melodies laid the blueprint for indie rock and inspired countless bands.

Artists like The Smiths today include Belle and Sebastian, Radiohead, Pulp, Suede. If you enjoy The Smiths, these artists share similar sonic qualities, influences, and emotional range.

Bands like The Smiths and songs like The Smiths are among the most searched music discovery queries — rootz.guru goes deeper by tracing the roots of the sound itself, not just surface-level similarity.