The album is a collection of the band's singles and select B-sides from 1985 to 1987. Additionally, the scrapped single "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby" (which was passed over for " Shoplifters of the World Unite") and the near-single " There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" (a single candidate from The Queen Is Dead that was passed over in favour of " Bigmouth Strikes Again") were included. [9] Fletcher, T, 2012. A Light That Never Goes Out: The Enduring Saga of the Smiths. 1st ed. U.K: Random House. P. 520.

Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrateded.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p.279. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Wolk, Douglas (18 November 2011). "The Smiths: The Smiths Complete". Pitchfork . Retrieved 6 March 2012. In effect, the album performed a similar role to 1984’s Hatful Of Hollow. Assembling B-sides, killer radio sessions and a couple of the band’s recent hit singles, that earlier title had bridged the gap between The Smiths’ debut album and Meat Is Murder, while The World Won’t Listen was the perfect stop-gap for fans waiting for the band to follow The Queen Is Deadwith Strangeways, Here We Come. Listen to The World Won’t Listen here.

Companies, etc.

British album certifications – The Smiths – The World Won't Listen". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 5 August 2023. the world won't listen | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com . Retrieved 24 April 2020. Goddard, S, 2013. Songs That Saved Your Life - The Art of The Smiths 1982-87. 2nd ed. U.K.: Titan Books. P. 171. Dutchcharts.nl – The Smiths – The World Won't Listen" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 August 2023.

The Smiths | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com . Retrieved 24 April 2020. Offiziellecharts.de – The Smiths – The World Won't Listen" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 5 August 2023. Craig Gannon – rhythm guitar on "Panic", "Ask", "London", "Half a Person", "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby" and "Golden Lights", lead guitar on coda of "London", [21] mandolin on "Golden Lights" [22]The group were still the darlings of the British music press, but articles alleging everything from racist connotations in ‘Panic’ to potential splits began to increase paranoia within the band. Marr wanted a break, but instead, decided to leave the group in the summer of 1987 following the completion of Strangeways. With business affairs in disarray and no clear direction forward without Marr, Morrissey, Rourke, and Joyce decided to split up a short time later. Goddard, S, 2013. Songs That Saved Your Life - The Art of The Smiths 1982-87. 2nd ed. U.K.: Titan Books. P. 222. The album was released on 23 February 1987. [6] It first charted on 3 March 1987, remaining in the top 100 for 15 weeks and peaking at No. 2. [15] The World Won't Listen returned to the UK top 100 for two weeks in 1995, following its re-release by WEA. [16] In 2011, The World Won't Listen was included in the Smiths' compilation box set Complete. [12] This marked the first time the album was officially released in the US. Fletcher, T, 2012. A Light That Never Goes Out: The Enduring Saga of the Smiths. 1st ed. U.K: Random House.P. 453.