Ask (single): Difference between revisions
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[[Category:The Smiths Lyrics]] | [[Category:The Smiths Lyrics]] | ||
[[File:Ask.jpg | thumb | right | Cover art]] | [[File:Ask.jpg | thumb | right | Cover art]] | ||
{{ | [[File:Askaustralia12.jpg | thumb | right | Australia 12" cover art]] | ||
[[File:Askgermany12.jpg | thumb | right | Germany 12" cover art]] | |||
{{Discobox | |||
| Name = Ask | | Name = Ask | ||
| Total Length = | | Total Length = 2:29 (Single version)<br>3:15 (Album version)<br>3:26 (Demo version) | ||
| Recorded = | | Recorded = June 1986 | ||
| Writer = Morrissey/Marr | | Writer = [[Writer::Morrissey]] / [[Writer::Johnny Marr]] | ||
| Producer = | | Producer = [[Producer::John Porter]] <br>then mixed by [[Steve Lillywhite]] | ||
| Mastered = | | Mastered = | ||
| Art = Yootha Joyce | | Art = Cover star: [[Mention::Yootha Joyce]] in [[Mention::Catch Us If You Can]] (1965) by John Boorman / Germany 12" Vinyl: [[Mention::Colin Campbell]] in "[[Mention::The Leather Boys]]" (1964)<br>Layout: [[Mention::Caryn Gough]] | ||
| Vinyl Etching = | | Vinyl Etching = A: "ARE YOU LOATHSOME TONIGHT?" <br>B: "TOMB IT MAY CONCERN" | ||
| Publisher = [[Rough Trade Records]] (UK)<br>[[Sire Records]] (US) | | Publisher = [[Rough Trade Records]] (UK)<br>[[Sire Records]] (US) | ||
| Format = 7" Vinyl, 12" Vinyl, CD | | Format = 7" Vinyl, 12" Vinyl, CD | ||
| Release = | | Release = 20 October 1986 | ||
| Chart = UK # | | Chart = UK #14<br>UK #62 (reissue) | ||
| Type = Single | | Type = Single | ||
| ArtistType = The Smiths | |||
| Previous = Panic | | Previous = Panic | ||
| PreviousLink = Panic (single) | | PreviousLink = Panic (single) | ||
| Next = | | Next = Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others | ||
| NextLink = | | NextLink = Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (single) | ||
| Reissue = true | |||
| ReissueDescription = WEA reissue | |||
| ReissuePrevious = There Is A Light That Never Goes Out | |||
| ReissuePreviousLink = There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (single) | |||
| ReissueNext = Sweet And Tender Hooligan | |||
| ReissueNextLink = Sweet And Tender Hooligan (single) | |||
}} | }} | ||
==Information== | ==Information== | ||
* [[Backing Vocals::Kirsty MacColl]] provides backing vocals on this song. | |||
* An alternate take of this song appears on [[The Smiths – Unreleased Demos & Instrumentals (LP bootleg)|The Smiths – Unreleased Demos & Instrumentals]] bootleg LP. | |||
* The Australian cover is a cropped image sourced from a press photograph credited to Jo Novark (actually [[Pat Bellis]]). | |||
==Track list== | ==Track list== | ||
===7" Vinyl=== | ===7" Vinyl=== | ||
UK - [ | UK - [Rough Trade RT 194] | ||
{{tracklist | {{tracklist | ||
| 01 = | | 01 = Ask | ||
| 01link = | | 01link = Ask (single) | ||
| 01-duration = : (Morrissey/ | | 01-duration = 2:59 (Morrissey/Marr) | ||
| 02 = | | 02 = Cemetry Gates | ||
| 02link = | | 02link = Cemetry Gates | ||
| 02-duration = : (Morrissey/Marr) | | 02-duration = 2:39 (Morrissey/Marr) | ||
}} | }} | ||
===12" Vinyl=== | ===12" Vinyl / CD=== | ||
UK - [ | UK - [Rough Trade RTT 194 / RTT 194CD] | ||
{{tracklist | {{tracklist | ||
| 01 = | | 01 = Ask | ||
| 01link = | | 01link = Ask (single) | ||
| 01-duration = : (Morrissey/Marr) | | 01-duration = 2:59 (Morrissey/Marr) | ||
| 02 = | | 02 = Cemetry Gates | ||
| 02link = | | 02link = Cemetry Gates | ||
| 02-duration = : (Morrissey/Marr) | | 02-duration = 2:39 (Morrissey/Marr) | ||
| 03 = | | 03 = Golden Lights | ||
| 03link = | | 03link = Golden Lights | ||
| 03-duration = : ( | | 03-duration = 2:38 (Twinkle) | ||
}} | }} | ||
=== | ===12" Vinyl=== | ||
Australia - [Rough Trade RTANZ 12019] | |||
{{tracklist | {{tracklist | ||
| 01 = | | 01 = Ask | ||
| 01link = | | 01link = Ask (single) | ||
| 01-duration = : (Morrissey/Marr) | | 01-duration = 2:59 (Morrissey/Marr) | ||
| 02 = | | 02 = Shoplifters Of The World Unite | ||
| 02link = | | 02link = Shoplifters Of The World Unite (single) | ||
| 02-duration = : (Morrissey/Marr) | | 02-duration = 2:56 (Morrissey/Marr) | ||
| 03 = | | 03 = Cemetry Gates | ||
| 03link = | | 03link = Cemetry Gates | ||
| 03-duration = : | | 03-duration = 2:39 (Morrissey/Marr) | ||
}} | }} | ||
== Lyrics == | == Lyrics == | ||
<poem> | |||
Shyness is nice | |||
And Shyness can stop you | And Shyness can stop you | ||
From doing all the things in life you'd like to | From doing all the things in life you'd like to | ||
Line 135: | Line 136: | ||
So, ask me, ask me, ask me | So, ask me, ask me, ask me | ||
Ask me, ask me, ask me | Ask me, ask me, ask me | ||
</poem> | |||
</ | |||
==Music Video== | ==Music Video== | ||
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoo9Vu1a9bU</youtube> | |||
===Credits=== | ===Credits=== | ||
* Directed by [[Director::Derek Jarman]] | |||
= | {{CommonSongSections | Artist = The Smiths | Song = {{#replace:{{#replace:{{PAGENAME}}| (single)|}}| (song)|}}}} | ||
{{Page | |||
|RelatedForumThreads=149010 | |||
|DiscogsReleaseId=703296 | |||
|DiscogsAdditionalReleaseId=487333, 789350, 2915476, 385491 | |||
|WikipediaPageTitle=Ask_(song) | |||
}} | |||
{{PageDate | |||
|Date=1986-10-20 | |||
}} | |||
= | |||
Latest revision as of 08:45, 17 February 2023
THE SMITHS Single | |
---|---|
Name | Ask |
Release | 20 October 1986 |
Total Length | 2:29 (Single version) 3:15 (Album version) 3:26 (Demo version) |
Recorded | June 1986 |
Writer/composer | Morrissey / Johnny Marr |
Producer | John Porter then mixed by Steve Lillywhite |
Art work | Cover star: Yootha Joyce in Catch Us If You Can (1965) by John Boorman / Germany 12" Vinyl: Colin Campbell in "The Leather Boys" (1964) Layout: Caryn Gough |
Vinyl Etching | A: "ARE YOU LOATHSOME TONIGHT?" B: "TOMB IT MAY CONCERN" |
Publisher | Rough Trade Records (UK) Sire Records (US) |
Format(s) | 7" Vinyl, 12" Vinyl, CD |
Chart position | UK #14 UK #62 (reissue) |
Single chronology | |
Panic ← Ask → Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
| |
Single WEA reissue chronology | |
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out ← Ask → Sweet And Tender Hooligan
|
Information
- Kirsty MacColl provides backing vocals on this song.
- An alternate take of this song appears on The Smiths – Unreleased Demos & Instrumentals bootleg LP.
- The Australian cover is a cropped image sourced from a press photograph credited to Jo Novark (actually Pat Bellis).
Track list
7" Vinyl
UK - [Rough Trade RT 194]
- Ask – 2:59 (Morrissey/Marr)
- Cemetry Gates – 2:39 (Morrissey/Marr)
12" Vinyl / CD
UK - [Rough Trade RTT 194 / RTT 194CD]
- Ask – 2:59 (Morrissey/Marr)
- Cemetry Gates – 2:39 (Morrissey/Marr)
- Golden Lights – 2:38 (Twinkle)
12" Vinyl
Australia - [Rough Trade RTANZ 12019]
- Ask – 2:59 (Morrissey/Marr)
- Shoplifters Of The World Unite – 2:56 (Morrissey/Marr)
- Cemetry Gates – 2:39 (Morrissey/Marr)
Lyrics
Shyness is nice
And Shyness can stop you
From doing all the things in life you'd like to
Shyness is nice
And Shyness can stop you
From doing all the things in life you'd like to
So, if there's something you'd like to try
If there's something you'd like to try
Ask me
I won't say "NO"
- How could I? -
Coyness is nice
And Coyness can stop you
From saying all the things in life you'd like to
So, if there's something you'd like to try
If there's something you'd like to try
Ask me
I won't say "NO"
- How could I? -
Spending warm, Summer days indoors
Writing frightening verse
To a buck-toothed girl in Luxembourg
Ask me, ask me, ask me
Ask me, ask me, ask me
Because if it's not Love
Then it's the Bomb
The bomb, the bomb, the bomb, the bomb, the bomb
The bomb that will bring us together
Nature is a language
- Can't you read? -
Nature is a language
- Can't you read? -
So, ask me, ask me, ask me
Ask me, ask me, ask me
Because if it's not Love
Then it's the Bomb
The bomb, the bomb, the bomb, the bomb, the bomb
The bomb that will bring us together
If it's not Love
Then it's the Bomb
Then it's the Bomb
That will bring us together
So, ask me, ask me, ask me
Ask me, ask me, ask me
Music Video
Credits
- Directed by Derek Jarman
Live History
Play count (The Smiths concert): 18
The Smiths live history:
- Glasgow, Scotland 1986-07-16 (The Smiths concert)
- Newcastle upon Tyne, England 1986-07-17 (The Smiths concert)
- Manchester, England 1986-07-19 (The Smiths concert)
- Salford, England 1986-07-20 (The Smiths concert)
- London, Ontario, Canada 1986-07-30 (The Smiths concert)
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada 1986-07-31 (The Smiths concert)
- Carlisle, England 1986-10-13 (The Smiths concert)
- Middlesbrough, England 1986-10-14 (The Smiths concert)
- Wolverhampton, England 1986-10-15 (The Smiths concert)
- St Austell, England 1986-10-17 (The Smiths concert)
Play count (Morrissey concert): 90
Morrissey live history:
- Cork, Ireland 2008-06-26 (Morrissey concert)
- Dublin, Ireland 2008-06-28 (Morrissey concert)
- London, England 2008-07-04 (Morrissey concert)
- Madrid, Spain 2008-07-19 (Morrissey concert)
- Castellon, Spain 2008-07-20 (Morrissey concert)
- Tel Aviv, Israel 2008-07-29 (Morrissey concert)
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 2009-03-06 (Morrissey concert)
- Durham, North Carolina 2009-03-11 (Morrissey concert)
- Richmond, Virginia 2009-03-13 (Morrissey concert)
- Washington, DC 2009-03-14 (Morrissey concert)
Appears On
- Ask (single)
- The World Won't Listen
- Louder Than Bombs
- Rank
- ...Best II
- The Complete Picture
- Singles
- The Very Best Of The Smiths
- The Sound Of The Smiths
- Complete
Appears On Covers Compilation
- Romantic And Square Is Hip And Aware (A Matinée Tribute To The Smiths)
- How Soon Is Now? The Songs Of The Smiths By...
- Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before: A Tribute To The Smiths
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star: Lullaby Versions of The Smiths & Morrissey
Cover Versions
- Billy Bragg
- Blossoms
- Erlend Øye
- Gene Loves Jezebel
- Gigolo Aunts
- Pete Yorn
- Rick Astley
- Spiritual Front
- The Pines
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star
- Walter Walter
Mentioned In
Discogs Information
Credits
- Bass - Andy Rourke
- Drums - Mike Joyce
- Guitar - Johnny Marr
- Guitar [Second] - Craig Gannon
- Layout - Caryn Gough
- Model [Cover Star] - Yootha Joyce
- Sleeve - Morrissey
- Voice - Morrissey
Notes
Custom inner sleeve is pink or red with cat. no "RTT 194" in white on top right corner.
'Cemetry Gates taken from the LP 'The Queen Is Dead'
Other sleeve notes: 'All songs recorded in London 1986', 'Cover Star Yootha Joyce (1927-1980) Thames Television' [Yootha Joyce on the set of the 1965 film "Catch Us If You Can" known in North America under the title "Having A Wild Weekend"]
A & B1: (C) 1986 Warner Bros. Music Ltd. B2: (C) 1986 Carlin Music Corp.
Images
- Ask - Discogs master release: https://www.discogs.com/master/4005
- Ask (12" 45 RPM Single EMI pressing) - Discogs release: https://www.discogs.com/release/703296-The-Smiths-Ask
Discogs information (additional release)
Notes
Originally released October 1986 on 12".
Cover Star: Yootha Joyce (1927-1980) Thames Television.
All songs recorded in London 1986. ℗ 1988 Rough Trade Records Ltd. © 1986 Warner Bros. Music Ltd. "Golden Lights" © 1986 Carlin Music Corp. Made in England
Images
- Ask (Single) - Discogs release: https://www.discogs.com/release/487333-The-Smiths-Ask
Discogs information (additional release)
Notes
[Label] Hergestellt durch TELDEC Schallplatten GmbH, Hamburg
℗ 1986 Zensor Tracks A, B1: Warner Bros. M. Ltd. Track B2: Carlin Music
[Cover] Coverstar Colin Campbell in 'The Leather Boys' © Cannon Screen Entertainment Ltd 1963
Made in Germany · TELDEC Schallplatten GmbH · 2000 Hamburg 20 ℗ & © 1986 Zensor
According to some Smiths discographies the black vinyl edition is rarer than the clear vinyl edition.
Runout matrix stamped except "NATURE FEED's THE ZENSOR GROUP" and CS-B-III are etched.
Images
- Ask (12" 45 RPM Maxi-Single Clear) - Discogs release: https://www.discogs.com/release/789350-The-Smiths-Ask
Discogs information (additional release)
Notes
Unique Australian only picture sleeve Some copies feature gold stamped ‘Promotion Only Not For Sale’ on rear of sleeve First published ℗ in UK 1986
Images
- Ask (12" Single 45 RPM) - Discogs release: https://www.discogs.com/release/2915476-The-Smiths-Ask
Discogs information (additional release)
Notes
℗ 1986 Warner Music UK LTD © 1995 Warner Music UK LTD Licensed by GEMA
All songs recorded in London 1986
Images
- Ask (Single Reissue) - Discogs release: https://www.discogs.com/release/385491-The-Smiths-Ask
Wikipedia Information
"Ask" is a song recorded by the English rock band the Smiths. It was released as a single on 20 October 1986 through Rough Trade Records. Credited to vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, "Ask" is an ostensibly upbeat, positive pop song built around major chords. Its lyrics discuss shyness and encourage listeners to overcome their inhibitions. Its multiple guitar parts and complex production led to disagreements regarding its final mix. Craig Gannon, who at the time was rhythm guitarist for the group, has claimed he wrote – and was denied credit for – the song's chord structure. "Ask" continued the Smiths' top-20 streak in their native country, peaking at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. It reached number nine on the Irish Singles Chart. Filmmaker Derek Jarman directed the song's music video. Like most of the Smiths' singles, it was not included on a studio album. It can be found on the compilations The World Won't Listen and Louder Than Bombs (both 1987) as well as the live album Rank (1988).
Related Forum Threads
- The Smiths A-Z: "Ask" - Morrissey-solo (Jan 06, 2022)