From the NME.
The first-ever demo by The Smiths has surfaced online after the 1982 recording was placed on YouTube, apparently by their original bassist.
Snippets of ‘I Want A Boy For My Birthday’ had circulated among the band’s fan community for several years. But the version seemingly posted by early bassist Dale Hibbert is the first time the full three-minute version has been heard.
‘I Want A Boy For My Birthday’ is a cover of ’60s girl group The Cookies, who released their original version as a B-side in 1963.
Morrissey and Johnny Marr made their version in 1982 on Marr’s TEAC tape recorder so that Hibbert could learn it for the band’s first official demo recordings.
Hibbert left the band after The Smiths’ first gig as Morrissey and Marr were unhappy with his playing. He was replaced by Andy Rourke, who became the band’s permanent bassist.
The existence of the demo was only uncovered in 2013 in Simon Goddard’s Smiths biography Songs That Saved Your Life. Marr said in the book: “I’d never heard the song before, but I thought ‘Great, this will freak them out!’ I was really happy to encourage it.”
Hibbert left the music industry after The Smiths. He went on to run a bar in Manchester and now runs a vegetarian café, Kava, in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, with his wife Svet.
The leaking of the demo comes as Morrissey prepares to release his new album ‘I Am Not A Dog On A Chain’ in March. Marr recently released ‘Single Life’, a box set which compiles the ten 7″ singles he’s released as a solo artist.
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MORRISSEY Suedehead (1988 UK 3-track 12" vinyl single, his debut solo single with 'Dreams Are Just Dreams' etched into the runout groove, also including the non-album recordings I Know Very Well How I Got My Name and Hairdresser On Fire, housed in picture sleeve with black die cut inner. The sleeve shows little shelfwear, whilst the vinyl remains in Excellent condition with just a few light hairlines. 12POP1618)
- The Smiths - The World Won't Listen - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £25.00, $32.75, €29.75 (New Item) (arrived 03-Sep-2024 16:02)on September 8, 2024 at 9:58 am
THE SMITHS The World Won't Listen (1987 UK 16-track LP compilation, complete with illustrated lyric inner and picture sleeve. The sleeve shows a little shelfwear. The vinyl is in Excellent condition with some faint superficial hairlines and only light signs of play. ROUGH101)
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MORRISSEY Beethoven Was Deaf | Live In Paris (2024 UK/EU limited edition 16-track LP remastered at Abbey Road Studios and pressed on Black BioVinyl - Originally released in 1993, Morrissey's first live album was recorded during the 'Your Arsenal' tour in '93. The gatefold picture sleeve displays brand new cover artwork created by Morrissey and remains factory sealed with its hype sticker)
- Morrissey - Beethoven Was Deaf | Live In Paris - Orange BioVinyl - Sealed - UK - vinyl LP - £34.99, $45.84, €41.64 (New Item) (arrived 28-Aug-2024 12:37)on September 8, 2024 at 9:58 am
MORRISSEY Beethoven Was Deaf | Live In Paris (2024 UK/EU limited edition 16-track LP remastered at Abbey Road Studios and pressed on Orange BioVinyl exclusively for retail stores. Housed inside a gatefold picture sleeve with brand new cover artwork created by Morrissey. Hype sticker & factory sealed. Recommended)
- Morrissey - Pregnant For The Last Time - Solid - UK - 7" vinyl - £25.00, $32.75, €29.75 (Back In Stock) (arrived 28-Aug-2024 15:45)on September 8, 2024 at 9:58 am
MORRISSEY Pregnant For The Last Time (Rare 1991 UK pressed solid centre 7" vinyl single released exclusively in the UK & Australia only, also including Skin Storm and comes housed in the glossy picture sleeve. With a few light surface scuffs, the vinyl remains in excellent condition POP1627)
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