Can't have an 80's music thread without talking about the greatest band in the World, ladies and gentleman I give you:-
THE SMITHS.
Discuss.
Posted by Ali_with_an_i (Member # 27) on :
I love The Smiths. I always wondered what it would be like if they ever got together and made an album again. I always listened to them when I was upset because there was always a song that I could connect with. Maybe one day Morrissey and Johnny will get along again and continue to make there great music.
p.s. There is a light that never goes out....
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
Devolution here,
Ask. One of the great songs that I listen to when I am driving. Great group, but sometimes real smith fanatics try to shove it down your throat. Totally unnecessary.
WE are DEVO
Posted by Nice Guy Sammy_Hain (Member # 3150) on :
Smiths were good but the Cure was better.
Posted by Louden Swain [formerly The Pixies] (Member # 3671) on :
Smiths Rule......still love the Cure though
Fav. Smith songs:
Reel Around The Fountain Girl Afraid Sweet and Tender Hooligan Shakespeare's Sister Barbarism Begins at Home The Headmaster Ritual A Rush and A Push and The Land Is Ours Unhappy Birthday Bigmouth Strikes Again Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others The Queen is Dead (Take Me Back to Dear Old Blightly) There Is A Light That Never Goes Out Ask
Sorry, got a little carried away... Posted by Riptide (Member # 457) on :
The Smiths weren't even around that long 83-87 to be exact, but boy did they make up for it with four solid albums and countless singles with some amazing covers. I mean Hatful of Hollow which is just an odds and sods collection is better than most groups main albums. Morrissey's lyrics were genius, he just seemed to fire on a lot of cylinders for a generation decimated by the bleak Thatcher era and all the betrayal they felt. Marr became one of the best creative guitarists with his mastery of chiming chords and impossibly jangly riffs. There was no one like them when they arrived on the scene, they were a reaction to the new wave synth era, a rock scene where rich rock stars paraded in yachts and glitzy clothes. With 1986's the Queen is Dead, they were untouchable, but they always seemed to be a volatile group within. If you ever want to read a reall good book as to what happened to Marr and Morrissey, then read Johnny Rogan's The Severed Alliance. A real good book that talks about the tensions, such as never having a stable, long term manager, the pressure on Marr to do the lion's work of the albums and Morrisey's eccentricities.
It would
Posted by Ali_with_an_i (Member # 27) on :
Thanks Riptide, I'll have to check that book out.
Posted by Canyoudigit The Sequel (Member # 4506) on :
Riptide hasn't left me much to say, you fountain of all music knowledge you.
For me, the way Morrissey wore his heart on his sleeve had a huge impact on me. His lyrics were relevent, poetic, humorous and heartbreakingly honest. He helped me get in touch with my own emotions as a then typical 'I'm all right about everything' male. Only Ray Davis and David Gedge have had similar sort of impact.
Here's what I consider his masterpieces of poetic prose:-
Back To The Old House This Night Has Opened My Eyes I don't Owe You Anything Reel Around The Fountain I know It's Over There is A Light That Never Goes Out Well I wonder
[ 26. February 2006, 09:27: Message edited by: Canyoudigit The Sequel ]
Posted by Riptide (Member # 457) on :
Morrissey really put on a clinic with lyrics didn't he? Actually he is still doing it with his solo work. Je's just such a romantic at heart, even the bleak stuff makes me feel better. The pain of adolescence, the hypocrisy of royalty, diatribes of the unloved, he said it all.
I just got back from seeing an amazing concert by a Smiths influenced group, Belle and Sebastian. They put on a really good show, Stuart Murdoch's lyrics are very descriptive like Morrisey's and I just love reading them.
A lotof people say that the Queen is Dead is their masterpiece, I thought so too, but the past few years I am inclined to think it might be Strangeways Here we Come.
Posted by mamamiasweetpeaches (Member # 1715) on :
If morrisey ever starts taking Prozac it will all be over!
THE SMITHS is one of those bands I like that absolutely NONE of my friends listen to. It's one of those cds that I blast when I'm alone in my house and sing and dance along to. I like to play it when Im cleaning the house too.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)