It’s impossible to understate how important Johnny Marr’s music has been to me for the past couple of decades. In honour of his 54th birthday today, I thought I would highlight 54 underrated and/or lesser known songs that Johnny’s played on or written.

1. Lost In Sound (Malka Spigel, Everyday is like the first day, 2012)
Israeli musician/artist Malka Spigel is one of my favourite discoveries through Johnny’s myriad of collaborations. Dreamy and delicate with just a hint of melancholy wistfulness, Johnny’s gorgeous guitar complements Malka’s ethereal voice perfectly.

2. Get Me Wrong (Johnny Marr + The Healers, B-side, 2003)
I remain smitten to this day by every note played by Johnny in his Healers days, but this tune stands out to me as both particularly brilliant and criminally overlooked. It’s hypnotic and sensual, conjuring up images of dark, late, hedonistic nights. Best listened to with the lights out.

3. Heisenberg (Chris Spedding, Joyland, 2015)
An acoustic instrumental that conjures up mental images of the “old west”, there’s definitely a bit of a ghost-town feel to this song. One could even imagine this stunning composition standing alongside those of Ennio Morricone in a 1960s spaghetti western…

4. Exit Connection (Johnny Marr, B-side, 2015)
One of Johnny’s best B-sides, in my very humble opinion. It’s raw and spunky, and proof that Johnny’s never lost sight of his post-punk roots. My musical lexicon is sadly far too lacking to be able to adequately describe what I’m hearing around the 0:47 mark, but listen out for it. Pure magic.

5. Home and dry (Pet Shop Boys, Release, 2002)
Oh how this one tugs on the heartstrings… There’s just something in its bittersweetness that recalls many of Johnny’s own prettiest tunes, and so it came as no surprise to me whatsoever to discover that was his guitar I was hearing in it.

Top tip: If you’re a masochist like myself and enjoy listening to this on the plane home after a trip, have some tissues on hand.

6. Imitation of life (Electronic, B-side, 1996)
It’s probably rarely more obvious than in Electronic’s tunes how versatile Johnny’s work is. Great beat and synth lines, nice melody (once it kicks in), and yes, you can dance to it. What’s not to love?

7. Freeheld [Suite] (Johnny Marr & Hans Zimmer, Freeheld OST, 2015)
Though it tends to be eclipsed by their work on Inception, Johnny’s and Hans’ work on the Freeheld soundtrack is just as stunning and worth checking out. This piece in particular is painfully pretty – especially the guitar part starting around the 5½ minute mark – as well as very moving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRsl7_mYzHA

8. Lonely Planet (The The, Dusk, 1993)
Fantastic album track from Johnny’s second period of collaboration with The The. It’s both powerful and empowering, highlighted by Matt Johnson’s poignant lyrics. “If you can’t change the world, change yourself.”

9. The house I grew up in (Tweaker, 2 a.m. Wakeup Call, 2004)
What is Chris Vrenna’s secret? No, seriously – what magical spell must one be capable of casting to get both Johnny Marr AND David Sylvian to co-write songs for your album? My awe of Vrenna’s obvious charisma aside, Johnny’s contribution to the album is a breathtaking electro-ambient gem with a dark and haunting build-up throughout. Mystical, otherworldly, and utterly addictive listening.

10. Run in the dust (7 Worlds Collide, The Sun Came Out, 2009)
One of several brilliant Johnny-penned contributions to the 7 Worlds Collide charity album, there’s a slightly eerie and mysterious feel to this song, accentuated by Johnny’s smooth, breathy vocals. It reminds me of a hot, dry summer – in the best possible way.

11. A woman like you (Johnny Marr & The Healers, Bert Jansch cover, 2010)
Recorded for a Bert Jansch tribute album, Johnny’s rendition gives the song a distinctly dark, sensual mood: an atmosphere that fits perfectly with The Healers’ sound, and that would later reemerge in songs like ‘Say Demesne’. Johnny has a habit of doing an extraordinary job with any song he covers, but this is hands-down one of my favourites.

Unfortunately the song doesn’t appear to be online anywhere, but you can at least listen to a sample on Amazon.

12. Ordinary Millionaire (Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3, Propellor Time, 2010)
Some of Johnny’s most delicate, prettiest guitar work can be heard in this mesmerising Robyn Hitchcock tune. One of my personal favourites.

13. Turning Point (Electronic, B-side, 1996)
Criminally overlooked instrumental techno/dance track from Mssrs Marr & Sumner, released as a B-side to Second Nature. Why this isn’t raved about more amongst Electronic fans, I don’t understand. It’s a perfect encapsulation of the sort of understated brilliance Electronic was capable of.

14. Don’t think twice, it’s alright (Johnny Marr, Bob Dylan cover, 2002)
This song is incredibly special to me – not just because I’m a massive Dylan fan, but because this was the first song I heard Johnny sing on (and subsequently wondered why he hadn’t been singing on record much earlier). I’m probably a little biased in saying it’s the best Bob Dylan cover I’ve ever heard, but, well, it is, and I’m saying it.

15. Life is Sweet (Johnny Marr, Todd Margaret theme, 2010)
I challenge anybody to listen to this song and not feel their mood lift. It’s fun, cheerful, and yes, as the title suggests, sweet. You’re bopping your head right now as you listen to it, aren’t you? I know you are.

16. Cindy of a thousand lives (Billy Bragg, Don’t try this at home, 1991)
My favourite Billy Bragg song, as well as the source of my first introduction to the brilliant artist Cindy Sherman. Add Johnny Marr on guitar and you’ve got something pretty damn brilliant on your hands.

17. Tendency to be free (Johnny Marr, Rabbit McKay cover, 2010)
Recorded as a downloadable charity single for homeless charity Centrepoint (https://centrepoint.org.uk), Johnny’s cover of Rabbit McKay’s little-known 1969 single is an energetic, exuberant affair, with more than a bit of swagger. The song doesn’t seem to be available to download anymore, but I’m sure if you ask nicely on a Johnny Marr Facebook group somewhere, someone will be able to hook you up…

18. North (The Cult, rough mix, 1994)*
If you’ve ever wondered what The Cult would sound like if Johnny Marr had joined the band, wonder no longer. It’s a real stomper – classic Cult sound, and I can only imagine how much fun Johnny must’ve had playing this with his old pal Billy. Crank the volume on this one!

*officially released on Rare Cult, 2000.

19. The Big Bang Dig (Johnny Marr, The Big Bang OST, 2011)
From memory, I believe the film itself was not terribly well received – but I personally quite enjoyed it, and Johnny’s score was of course Sublime with a capital S. Healers fans will recognise this as an instrumental remix of ‘Bangin’ On’, and though the track’s heavy, trippy vibe is a brilliant fit for the film’s neo-noir feel, it also stands alone as a worthy addition to Johnny’s/The Healers’ discography.

20. Miyako Hideaway (Marion, The Program, 1998)
There’s more than a hint of late Electronic in Johnny’s guitar work here, which is probably why I love this song so much, as well as a pinch of Quiet Life-era Japan (or is that just my imagination running wild?). In any case, there’s some seriously amazing Marr guitar goodness going on here, and Jaime & co have clearly got talent in their own right. I’m not surprised Johnny was impressed enough to be willing to produce them.

21. People as Places as People (Modest Mouse, We were dead before the ship even sank, 2007)
One of Modest Mouse’s gentler songs, I feel that Johnny’s influence is more obvious here than on many other tracks from the album – but maybe that’s just me. Though very similar in style to ‘Missed the boat’, this one feels somehow rawer; more bleak than simply wistful. I like that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qRQOJ296wA

22. This Tension (Johnny Marr, Playland, 2014)
Playland’s most underrated offering, and the only album track never played live, I feel like this mesmerising tune never quite got the attention it deserved. The melody is Classic Marr Magic™, and the spoken word vocals towards the end send shivers down my spine. Spellbinding stuff.

23. The Draize Train (The Smiths, B-side, 1986)
It’s hard to consider any Smiths song obscure or underrated these days, but if any fit the bill, it’s Johnny’s three instrumental B-sides from the The Queen is Dead era, of which this is my personal favourite. Not to be misinterpreted as a lack of appreciation for Morrissey’s voice (ahem), I love that tunes like this gave Johnny a chance to shine in his own right, and proved early on that his music was every bit as stunning on its own as it was with vocals and lyrics layered overtop.

24. Soldier of fortune (Bryan Ferry, Avonmore, 2015)
Having been released within the same time period as his much more publicised collaboration with Noel Gallagher, several of Johnny’s other recent collaborations seem to have sadly fallen to the wayside in terms of fans’ attention. ‘Soldier of fortune’ is an incredibly pretty, relaxed tune, and although I’ve never been particularly a fan of Ferry’s, I find myself listening to this song surprisingly often.

25. Something to shout about (Johnny Marr + The Healers, Boomslang, 2003)
Let me ensure I’ve made myself clear by now: I fucking love The Healers. Boomslang was a masterpiece, and really needs to be reissued on vinyl ASAP. (Ahem, Johnny, if you’re reading this…)

‘Something to shout about’ is the sort of song you want to unwind with, in a dark room late at night, or out driving in the earliest hours of the morning. There’s a sense of introspection; of things winding down – but combined with awareness of the next great moment beginning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4khYuyDkug0

26. Struck (Johnny Marr, B-side, 2014)
Another brilliant but underrated B-side from Johnny’s recent slew of solo singles, ’Struck’ is exactly the sort of fast-paced, high-energy stomper that makes you want to crank it up and start dancing like a maniac. Not that I’ve ever actually done that, of course… cough.

27. The good, the bad and the ugly (Johnny Marr & Billy Duffy, Ruby Trax, 1992)
An adventurous, contemporary interpretation of Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti western classic, with a beat clearly influenced by the music Johnny was making at the same time with Electronic. I imagine it takes some serious guts to take on a track like this and then dare to modify it so much, but Johnny and Billy definitely nailed it.

28. Too Blue (7 World Collide, The Sun Came Out, 2009)
Another of Johnny’s contributions to the second 7 Worlds Collide charity album, ‘Too Blue’ is a bright, uplifting head-bopper that you can’t help but feel more happy and relaxed for having listened to. A feel-good tune if there ever was one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSDig28w56k

29. Central (John Frusciante, The Empyrean, 2009)
Johnny’s twinkling guitar is a striking accompaniment to Frusciante’s emotive vocals, and the shimmering guitar solo just after the 2 minute mark is particularly stunning. Also worth checking out: ‘Enough of me’, from the same album.

30. Finding You (Malka Spigel, Everyday is like the first day, 2012)
Another underrated beauty from Johnny’s work with Malka Spigel, this whirling foot-tapper feels somehow both expectant and calming at the same time. Hypnotic, with a mystical edge. If there was a music video for this song, I bet it would be set in a forest.

31. Did you see me coming? (Pet Shop Boys, Yes, 2009)
There are some songs where you can hear Johnny’s involvement within the first new notes, and this is one of them: that guitar intro is unmistakably Marr. The rest of the song is classic Pet Shop Boys (always a good thing); catchy, danceable, and with just a hint of dreamy wistfulness evident in Neil’s instantly recognisable voice.

32. Concrete Sky (Beth Orton, Daybreaker, 2002)
I was a fan of Beth Orton’s before I knew that this song was actually played on and co-written by Johnny – it was a pleasant surprise, to say the least. Calm and dreamy, with a strong optimistic vibe, it’s a great song to switch on when you need to relax a bit.

33. Windows of the world (The Pretenders, single, 1988)
Absolutely stunning Pretenders track, featuring possibly some of Johnny’s prettiest guitar work ever. Just listen to that intro! One can only speculate what further collaborations could have resulted in…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys8dMfPyUGQ

34. (Nothing But) Flowers (Talking Heads, Naked, 1988)
Admittedly not as obscure or underrated as most other songs on this list, but I nonetheless want to draw attention to this gem from Johnny’s time working with Talking Heads. It’s undeniably a feel-good tune, with its Carribean-style beat and catchy chorus. (Admit it: even if you don’t know all the words, you sing along to the “You got it” line, don’t you?) I defy anybody to sit completely still while listening to this song. It’s like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time. Except harder. And more pointless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3t5nmgRVMs

35. Don’t stop now (Crowded House, Time On Earth, 2007)
I’ve been a “Crowdies” fan since I was a little kid, so this was a particular thrill to me. Pretty and relaxing, it’s a classic Crowded House sound, but with Johnny’s own mark noticeably left on it. A permanent fixture on my playlists while travelling.

36. Radiation (Electronic, B-side, 1999)
Electronic released some truly killer B-sides over the years. ‘Radiation’ is an intense, throbbing combination of synths and guitars, that for some reason I can imagine being the perfect soundtrack to a late night, high-speed car chase. (In a movie, of course. Drive safe, kids.)

37. Time (Hans Zimmer, Inception OST, 2010)
Perhaps more than anything else, Johnny’s work with Hans Zimmer on the Inception soundtrack is what finally put to rest the tired old “jingle jangle Johnny” trope. Emotive but understated, ‘Time’ reaches a climax built on a succession of light touches, and is a testament to how delicately Johnny can handle more subtle material. Also mind-blowing to hear played live, at Hans Zimmer’s recent shows.

38. Blue Topaz / Clair de Lune (Moodswings, Horizontal, 2002)
I wish I could find either of these tracks online, but alas, most of Moodswings’ music has vanished into the ether over the years (coincidentally, also where they sound to have formed in the first place). The best I can describe them is as very chill, ethereal soundscapes; and yes, the latter is exactly what you’d assume it is: Johnny Fuckin Marr playing Debussy.

In lieu of being able to share the aforementioned tracks, here’s ‘Into the blue’, which also features Johnny on harmonica (and Julee Cruise of Twin Peaks fame on vocals).

39. Sodium Light Baby (The The, Dusk, 1993)
The The at their most funky, there’s a bit of a raw, dirty vibe to this song that evokes images of late nights and seedy urban environments. It reminds me of my misguided youth, except that I wasn’t cool enough to be listening to The The as a misguided young person. Maybe I’d have been less misguided if I had been.

40. It don’t bother me (Johnny Marr & Bert Jansch, unreleased demo, 2000)
Having discovered Bert Jansch through Johnny’s cover version of ‘A woman like you’, it was a pleasure to backtrack and discover their work together on 2000’s Crimson Moon. This version of Jansch’s classic 1965 tune, which includes Johnny on guitar as well, is even more mesmerising than the original. No prizes for guessing why.

41. Out of my League (Electronic, Raise the pressure, 1996)
It’s somewhat unusual to hear Bernard Sumner singing what’s essentially a ballad – but I guess that’s the sort of thing a beautiful guitar melody from Johnny Marr can inspire. Definitely one of Electronic’s prettiest and romantic tunes, and one of my personal favourites.

42. Atom Rock (Quando Quango, 2 from Quando, 1984)
What a tune. Funky dance beat + Johnny Marr guitar = instant Haçienda floor-filler. You can practically see those black and yellow stripes before your eyes…

43. Come Tomorrow, Come Today (Edwyn Collins, Losing Sleep, 2010)
Confession time: I didn’t know this song even existed until a few years ago. After playing ‘A Girl Like You’ on Youtube, it automatically segued into this afterwards, and I saw the photo of Johnny. Catchy and upbeat, you can definitely hear a hint of both artists’ 80s origins in the song, yet it doesn’t feel at all dated.

44. Still Feel the Rain (Stex, single, 1991)
Funky dance number with Johnny channelling Nile Rodgers on guitar. I’d almost forgotten that disco experienced a resurgence in the early 90s, but here you go. I swear I actually remember this from when I was a child – it got a few (hundred) plays in-store at the department store my mother treated as an after-school babysitter. I wish department stores played groovy numbers like this now, instead of Taylor Swift.

45. Lust for Life (Tom Jones, Reload, 1999)
Years before Johnny would cover the song himself as a solo artist, he played guitar/harmonica and provided backing vocals to this fantastic rendition of the Iggy Pop classic with Tom Jones and The Pretenders. It’s got the energy, it’s got the swagger, and it’s got Johnny Marr on guitar. Job well done.

46. Ruby Dear (Talking Heads, Naked, 1988)
Tribal beats fused with a rambling Bo Diddley-esque rhythm creates a fitting background for David Byrne’s rather ominous vocals. Think of it like the yang to (Nothing but) Flowers’ yin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoVsbLl5bxw

47. Paper Doll (Lisa Germano, Lullaby for liquid pig, 2003)
Haunting, dreamy ballad highlighting the gentle beauty of Johnny’s guitar as it creates a framework for Lisa’s lullabyesque vocals. Though in general not the style of music I’m usually drawn to, in this particular case, it works. Must be that bloody guitar again…hmm.

48. City of bugs (The Cribs, Ignore the ignorant, 2009)
My favourite track from The Cribs first (and only) album with Johnny; a haunting, rhythmic anthem with a hint of a late 80s darkwave vibe as it builds up to its intense, shattering climax in the final two minutes.

49. Native Land (Everything but the girl, Everything but the girl, 1984)
Blame ‘Hand in glove’, but I have a serious weakness for Johnny Marr playing the harmonica. Combine an overall catchy tune with not one but TWO Johnny Marr harmonica solos, and I’m completely won over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LUzpiEiRvE

50. Living in Limbo (Jane Birkin, Fictions, 2006)
Have you ever wondered what The Kinks would sound like if they collaborated with Kate Bush? No, neither have I. But in case you have, it would probably sound a bit like this. And it’s a surprisingly good combination: pretty and soothing, with a elegantly captivating rhythm.

51. The boy done good (Billy Bragg, Bloke on Bloke, 1997)
This is such a happy song, I literally feel myself smiling whenever I hear it. What more is there to say? If a song can make you automatically feel that good, it’s probably speaking enough for itself.

52. Prodigal Son (Electronic, Twisted Tenderness, 1999)
Brilliant track from Electronic’s final studio album; a frenetic, ramped up tune with a killer opening vocal. There’s an urgency about so much of Electronic’s later work that I find particularly appealing – almost a sense of foreboding, which is particularly evident in this song.

53. Spiral Cities (Johnny Marr, currently unreleased, 2015)
Full disclosure: this is literally my favourite song on earth, so don’t expect me to be in the slightest bit unbiased about it. Mesmerising, emotive melody and vocals, evoking a sense of wistful longing. In German, that feeling could be described as Sehnsucht. In English, I’m going to describe the song itself as perfection.

54. Birthday Boy (Pet Shop Boys, Release, 2002)
What better song to finish off this list with than this aptly-titled (if not aptly-lyrical) number? A gorgeous, sweeping tune with more than a hint of melancholy, I especially love Johnny’s lilting guitar lines at the start.