The Smiths - Shakespears Sister 12" Single Vinyl

Artist: The Smiths

Title: Shakespeare's Sister

Label: Rough Trade

Catalogue Number: RTT 181

Country: United Kingdom

Original Release Year: 1985

Pressing Year: 1985 UK Original Pressing

Format: 12" Vinyl Single

Speed: 45 RPM

Description

Shakespeare's Sister is one of The Smiths' finest standalone singles, released in March 1985 between the albums Meat Is Murder and The Queen Is Dead. Built around Johnny Marr's rockabilly-inspired guitar riff and Morrissey's distinctive lyrical wit, the single became another UK Top 30 hit and further cemented the band's reputation as one of Britain's most original and influential groups.

Featuring the superb B-sides What She Said and Stretch Out And Wait, this original 12-inch release offers an essential snapshot of The Smiths during one of the most creative periods of their career.

Pressing Notes

Original 1985 UK first pressing on Rough Trade, catalogue number RTT 181. Issued in the original picture sleeve with a full-colour picture inner sleeve featuring a Smiths discography on one side. The front cover features actress Pat Phoenix in her famous role as Elsie Tanner from Coronation Street. First pressings were manufactured by Damont and feature the hand-etched run-out inscription "HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS" on Side One, making them instantly recognisable to collectors. Complete original copies remain highly sought after among Smiths enthusiasts.

Track Listing
Side One
Shakespeare's Sister
Side Two
What She Said
Stretch Out And Wait
Additional Information
Original 1985 UK First Pressing
Rough Trade
Catalogue Number: RTT 181
Original Picture Sleeve
Original Full-Colour Picture Inner Sleeve
12" Vinyl Single
45 RPM
Produced by The Smiths
Recorded at Ridge Farm Studios, Surrey
Features Shakespeare's Sister, What She Said and Stretch Out And Wait
Front cover features actress Pat Phoenix as Elsie Tanner
Hand-etched run-out inscription: "HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS"
One of the most collectible Smiths 12-inch singles and an essential release from the Meat Is Murder era.
Condition

Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Record: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Rockabuy Records Grading Guide
Near Mint (NM)

Virtually flawless condition. Played only a handful of times with no visible marks or signs of wear.

Excellent (EX)

Lightly played and exceptionally well cared for. May show only minimal signs of handling with no significant marks affecting playback.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

A well-preserved copy with only light signs of use. The sleeve remains clean and structurally sound, while the vinyl shows minimal surface marks that do not significantly affect playback.

Very Good (VG)

Noticeable signs of use with light surface marks and handling wear, though the record plays well throughout without major faults.

Good (G)

Visible wear with more pronounced marks. Playback remains enjoyable with some background noise.

Poor / Fair (P/F)

Heavy wear and significant scratches affecting playback quality.

Shipping

All records are visually inspected and conservatively graded for both sleeve and vinyl condition. Records are securely packaged in professional record mailers with protective stiffeners and dispatched via a fully tracked delivery service to ensure safe arrival.