The Smiths single The Headmaster Ritual arrives on 30 October

The Smiths’ new seven-inch single The Headmaster Ritual arrives on 30 October 2026 as part of Rough Trade 45s: Volume 2. The release pairs the track with I Want The One I Can’t Have and gives both songs a new place in the label’s single catalogue.

Rough Trade adds The Headmaster Ritual to its 2026 box set

Rough Trade Records describes Rough Trade 45s: Volume 2 as a nine-disc collection of seven-inch singles from the label’s archive. The set combines repressed singles with a ninth Smiths single created at the request of members of the band.

The Rough Trade product listing gives 30 October 2026 as the release date and identifies RT0507SXE2 as the box-set catalogue number. The Smiths entry is listed as RT0507S, with The Headmaster Ritual on the A-side and I Want The One I Can’t Have on the B-side.

Rough Trade says the pairing was requested by Morrissey and Johnny Marr. The track from Meat Is Murder receives a new seven-inch configuration, while Morrissey oversaw new artwork for the release.

The NME account of the release also describes the single as part of the upcoming box set. Its details place the two songs together for the first time as a Rough Trade single, rather than presenting them as a new recording.

The Smiths catalogue and the new Rough Trade seven-inch

The release connects directly with The Smiths’ established catalogue. The band’s official music page lists The Smiths, Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come among its album titles.

The Headmaster Ritual therefore arrives in a format that joins a familiar album track to a newly configured physical release. The B-side also differs from the pairing used for the song’s Dutch single, giving this edition its own track combination.

Morrissey and Marr’s participation extends beyond the song selection. Both contribute to the sleeve notes, while the box set also includes material connected with other artists from the Rough Trade catalogue.

That arrangement links a new label edition with the band’s existing work without presenting it as a reunion or a live return. The October release is a physical addition to The Smiths’ catalogue, centred on one of the songs associated with Meat Is Murder.

The Smiths: what fans in Germany need to know

• Release date: The Smiths single The Headmaster Ritual arrives on 30 October 2026 in Rough Trade 45s: Volume 2.
• Format and label: the release is a seven-inch single in the nine-disc box set from Rough Trade Records, catalogue RT0507SXE2.
• Track pairing: The Headmaster Ritual is the A-side and I Want The One I Can’t Have is the B-side.
• Catalogue page: officialsmiths.co.uk lists the band’s album titles and music catalogue.

The Smiths on social media and streaming platforms

These links open a search for The Smiths on each platform.

The Smiths: frequently asked questions

When is The Smiths single The Headmaster Ritual released?

It arrives on 30 October 2026 as part of Rough Trade 45s: Volume 2.

Which songs are on The Smiths single The Headmaster Ritual?

The Headmaster Ritual is the A-side and I Want The One I Can’t Have is the B-side on 30 October 2026.

What is Rough Trade 45s: Volume 2?

It is a nine-disc box set of seven-inch singles from Rough Trade Records, scheduled for release on 30 October 2026.