Shoplifters of the World Unite

Infobox Single
Name = Shoplifters of the World Unite


Artist = The Smiths
from Album = The World Won't Listen
Released = January 26 1987
Format = 7", 12"
Recorded = Autumn 1986
Genre = Alternative rock
Length = 2:58
Label = Rough Trade
Writer = Johnny Marr
Morrissey
Producer = Johnny Marr
Chart position = * #12 (UK)
Video director = —
Reviews =
*
Last single = "Ask"
(1986)
This single = "Shoplifters of the World Unite"
(1987)
Next single = "Sheila Take a Bow" (1987)

"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.

Another newly completed song, "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby," was originally intended to be the a-side of this single. The single even made it to the white label test pressing stage and approximately 900 stock copies of the single were manufactured before the proper single was issued. This aborted single mix can be heard on the UK compilation "The World Won't Listen," while the song was later remixed for the American compilation "Louder Than Bombs".

The title alludes 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.ref|s28 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".ref|panic 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.

Track listing

7": Rough Trade / RT195 (UK)

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

12": Rough Trade / RTT195 (UK)

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

Etchings on vinyl

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

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

Artwork

Photograph of Elvis Presley by James R. Reid.

References