The song's lyric includes the couplet 'Writing frightening verse / To a buck-toothed girl in Luxembourg', which has been interpreted as a reference to Morrissey's youth, in which he frequently wrote letters to pen pals. Morrissey said: 'If the next single had been a slight protest, regardless of the merits of the actual song, people would say, 'Here we go again''. 'Ask' was written as an intentionally more lighthearted song than its predecessor single, ' Panic'. It can be found on the compilations The World Won't Listen and Louder Than Bombs (both 1987) as well as the live album Rank (1988). Like most of the Smiths' singles, it was not included on a studio album. Filmmaker Derek Jarman directed the song's music video. It reached number nine on the Irish Singles Chart. 'Ask' continued the Smiths' top-20 streak in their native country, peaking at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. Craig Gannon, who at the time was rhythm guitarist for the group, has claimed he wrote – and was denied credit for – the song's chord structure.

Its multiple guitar parts and complex production led to disagreements regarding its final mix. Its lyrics discuss shyness and encourage listeners to overcome their inhibitions.

Credited to vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, 'Ask' is an ostensibly upbeat, positive pop song built around major chords.

It was released as a single on 20 October 1986 through Rough Trade Records. ' Ask' is a song recorded by the English rock band the Smiths.

Penpals tell me why sheet music