The title reflects Morrissey's belief that mainstream radio and record buyers weren't paying attention to the band. The compilation was succeeded three months later by ""Louder Than Bombs,"" released in the US by Rough Trade and featuring a similar, but extended track listing. "The World Won't Listen" contains two versions of songs that do not appear on "Louder Than Bombs": the single version of "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" and the single edit of "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore". Additionally, "The World Won't Listen" contains different versions of two songs that would appear on "Louder Than Bombs:" "Stretch Out and Wait" features an alternate vocal, and "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby" appears in a slightly different and longer mix. The 2011 reissue replaced the single version of "The Boy With a Thorn in His Side" with the album version. Also of note is the fact that "Ask" appears on both "The World Won't Listen" and "Louder Than Bombs" in a slightly different and longer mix than its single version.