Many things have been said about them.
They've been called the" most anti-capitalists of bands." Critics described them as "miserabilists" for evoking imagery and experiences of gloom, angst and despair.
Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher cites them as an influence.
They've been called the "most influential artiste ever" according to a 2002 poll.
They've also been described as "the band that inspired deeper devotion than any British group since The Beatles"
The English rock band The Smiths is certainly a cult favourite and easily the most iconic and defining independent artistes of their time. And they almost always feature in a mixtape about heartbreaks.
A form of release for the misanthropic teens growing up in the 1980s, a period known for its tumultuous taste in fashion, music, arts and culture, their presence has since permeated the soundtracks of some of the most iconic romance films and television series, such as "The Wedding Singer," "Never Been Kissed," "Not Another Teen Movie," "The History Boys," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," "Pride," "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and 500 Days of Summer.
Today marks the 30th anniversary of the release of their third album, titled "The Queen is Dead."
This album released the infamous track "There is a Light That Never Goes Out," which has been covered by many musicians such as Miley Cyrus and Noel Gallagher, and used as the name of a chapter in Irvine Welsh's famous book "Trainspotting," which was later adapted into an eponymous movie directed by Danny Boyle.
The album also has many Easter eggs.
For instance, the release of the first single, "The Bigmouth Strikes Again," contained a photograph of James Dean, who was idolised by The Smiths' frontman Morrissey.
It is also believed by some that the basic narrative of the song "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" is similar to that of the James Dean film "Rebel Without a Cause," in which Dean leaves his tortuous home life, being the passenger to a potential romantic partner. A line from that movie ("It is not my home") is quoted in the song.
It has also been suggested that the earlier version of the song orignally read: "There is a light in your eyes and it never goes out".
According to the Guardian, to celebrate this 30th anniversary, a soundscape and photographic exhibition will pay homage to The Smiths in Salford later this year.
On this momentous occasion, pitchfork.tv shared a "Liner Notes" documentary about the album that mentions interesting references and lesser known facts.
Did you know, for instance, that the album title was taken from a section of American author Hubert Selby's 1964 novel "Last Exit To Brooklyn"?
Also, the jumping man on the cover of "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" single is a young Truman Capote, who wrote "In Cold Blood."
This single had another special literary allusion inserted in the album.
The line "talent borrows, genius steals" by Oscar Wilde was aimed at critics.
