On my favourite band - indie legends The Smtihs.
Four misfits who came to be spokesmen for a million others. In Morrissey-Marr, music history finds itself the oddest of collaborations - the former adored Oscar Wilde and 60s girl-groups; was a recluse and sang in a self-absorbed, detached, woebegone manner. The latter was inspired by more traditional artists such as The Who, Patti Smith and George Harrison; was an extrovert and carried a lively, jangling sound with his nimble guitar-playing. Their different styles, surprisingly, jelled well, and together with Rourke & Joyce, helped create a distinctive sound never before heard in rock music.
Morrissey provided the lyrical direction and stage persona. Their songs resonate with the hapless romantic, the maladjusted adolescent, the introverted wallflower and just about everyone who has ever had a lovelorn heart. They aren't miserabilists, mind you, oh no, instead they are the antidote to depression. Their lyrics offer a humorous slant on the most emotional of matters, comforting you out of your misery. That's Moz for you, friends - the potent poet, the sagacious seer, the witty nut.
Morrissey, shy, introverted off-stage yet the most outlandish of performers on it. British NHS glasses (hip much?), loose-fitted shirts and gladioli stuffed in his back pockets were his trademark. Marr, outgoing, extroverted off-stage worked his magic on stage in the background. In the Smiths' live shows, he was hardly there yet made his presence felt. Absurd, right? The Smiths do tend to have that impression.
Marr, on the other hand, provided the musical genius and kept the band together. His guitar melodies are so complex, so unique that he himself couldn't perfectly replicate them. The Stone Roses and Oasis (and therefore every other Brit guitar rock act) owe their sound to him. He is not a guitarist you identify by a cute riff or a pompous solo, but by his entire body of work.
"That man's a f****** wizard" - Noel Gallagher (of Oasis fame). 'Nuff said.
So what do we have here?
A band that lasted for a mere 5 years
Made just 4 proper albums
Never released a bad, shitty song (I might be a teeny bit biased here)
But left an enduring legacy.
By the bye, Perks of Being a Wallflower and 500 Days of Summer were responsible for introducing me to the Smiths. Not the best of ways to discover them, but boy am I glad that I did.
There are only so many bands that write life-saving songs. Songs which rescue listeners from abysmal lows by breathing a new life into them. So what if the songs are 30, even a 100 years old? Do the universal feelings of love and angst that these songs speak about change? Nope, such songs are timeless. Such bands are timeless. The Smiths are such a band.
There's a lot of clamour for a Smiths' reunion, lot's of money being offered, tons of fans (new ones especially, like me) eager to relive them. Chances are extremely slim, probably nonexistent, but hope never dies. Like the ephemeral dazzle of fireworks or the delicate fractals in a snowflake, some things are not meant to be relived, or replicated. Maybe The Smiths are such a snowflake, such a firework. The aftereffects of their combustion will however, never die. The beacon of solidarity they lit in every heart they touched, that light, will never go out.
(Lyrics).The most romantic song ever written IMO. Has many interpretations due to its sexually ambiguous nature - which makes it even more romantic!
Ask me if this is one of their good songs, I won't say no, how could I?
 |
| The Smiths (from left to right):Andy Rourke (bass), Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (lead guitar) & Mike Joyce (drums) |
Morrissey provided the lyrical direction and stage persona. Their songs resonate with the hapless romantic, the maladjusted adolescent, the introverted wallflower and just about everyone who has ever had a lovelorn heart. They aren't miserabilists, mind you, oh no, instead they are the antidote to depression. Their lyrics offer a humorous slant on the most emotional of matters, comforting you out of your misery. That's Moz for you, friends - the potent poet, the sagacious seer, the witty nut.
Morrissey, shy, introverted off-stage yet the most outlandish of performers on it. British NHS glasses (hip much?), loose-fitted shirts and gladioli stuffed in his back pockets were his trademark. Marr, outgoing, extroverted off-stage worked his magic on stage in the background. In the Smiths' live shows, he was hardly there yet made his presence felt. Absurd, right? The Smiths do tend to have that impression.
 |
| The Smiths on stage. Moz in front (with shades, loose shirt and gladioli and all) while Marr and the others in the background. |
Marr, on the other hand, provided the musical genius and kept the band together. His guitar melodies are so complex, so unique that he himself couldn't perfectly replicate them. The Stone Roses and Oasis (and therefore every other Brit guitar rock act) owe their sound to him. He is not a guitarist you identify by a cute riff or a pompous solo, but by his entire body of work.
"That man's a f****** wizard" - Noel Gallagher (of Oasis fame). 'Nuff said.
So what do we have here?
A band that lasted for a mere 5 years
Made just 4 proper albums
Never released a bad, shitty song (I might be a teeny bit biased here)
But left an enduring legacy.
By the bye, Perks of Being a Wallflower and 500 Days of Summer were responsible for introducing me to the Smiths. Not the best of ways to discover them, but boy am I glad that I did.
There are only so many bands that write life-saving songs. Songs which rescue listeners from abysmal lows by breathing a new life into them. So what if the songs are 30, even a 100 years old? Do the universal feelings of love and angst that these songs speak about change? Nope, such songs are timeless. Such bands are timeless. The Smiths are such a band.
There's a lot of clamour for a Smiths' reunion, lot's of money being offered, tons of fans (new ones especially, like me) eager to relive them. Chances are extremely slim, probably nonexistent, but hope never dies. Like the ephemeral dazzle of fireworks or the delicate fractals in a snowflake, some things are not meant to be relived, or replicated. Maybe The Smiths are such a snowflake, such a firework. The aftereffects of their combustion will however, never die. The beacon of solidarity they lit in every heart they touched, that light, will never go out.
Here are a few 'essential' Smiths songs for your wonderment.
1. Hand In Glove
(Lyrics).The most romantic song ever written IMO. Has many interpretations due to its sexually ambiguous nature - which makes it even more romantic!
"No it's not like any other love, this one is different because it's us"
2. This Charming Man
Found this cute stick animation video! This song is trademark Smiths - Moz's croon overlaying jangly, driving guitars.
"Why pamper life's complexities when the leather runs smooth on the passenger seat"
3. How Soon Is Now?
This song is to the Smiths what Stairway to Heaven is to Led Zeppelin. Iconic tremolo opening, profound lyrics. Probably their most respected masterpiece.
"I'm human and I need to be loved, just like everybody else does."
4. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want
Following their longest song (How Soon Is Now?) is this, the shortest song in their catalogue at 1:52. Its length doesn't undermine its beauty, simplicity and feeling one bit.
5. What She Said
(lyrics) One of their lesser-known hardest, jangliest songs. Polarising. Piercingly witty.
"I smoke cuz I'm hoping for an early death. And I need to cling to something, what she said"
6. The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
4. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want
5. What She Said
"I smoke cuz I'm hoping for an early death. And I need to cling to something, what she said"
6. The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
3 minute pop perfection.
"How can they see the love in our eyes, and still they don't believe us"
7. Ask
"Coyness is nice, and coyness can stop you, from saying all the things in life you'd like to"
"If it's not love, then its THE BOMB THE BOMB THE BOMB THE BOMB THE BOMB that will bring us together"
8. Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
No seriously, stop me if you think you've heard this one before. I won't give any excuses, only laugh at you.
"Nothing's changed, I still love you, oh I still love you, only slightly, only slightly less than I used to, my love"
9. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
Starts off with a piano played over the voice of protesters. The wait for the chorus is worth it, I tell you, for it'll leave you with guaranteed goosebumps. Beautiful, soul-wrenching lyrics.
"Last night I felt real arms around me. No hope, no harm, just another false alarm."
10. Asleep
Hauntingly beautiful.
Any other comment on this song would be a sin.
"Don't feel bad for me, I want you to know.
Deep in the cell of my heart, I will feel so glad to go."
11. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Probably their most popular song. One listen and it's not hard to say why. Bleakly romantic. It would be a privilege to die by the side of your loved one, wouldn't it?
"And in the darkened underpass, I thought, oh god! My chance has come at last."
But then a strange fear gripped me and I just couldn't ask."
Happy listening, and I hope you find the Smiths beautiful in ways I haven't yet.
8. Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
"Nothing's changed, I still love you, oh I still love you, only slightly, only slightly less than I used to, my love"
9. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
"Last night I felt real arms around me. No hope, no harm, just another false alarm."
10. Asleep
Any other comment on this song would be a sin.
"Don't feel bad for me, I want you to know.
Deep in the cell of my heart, I will feel so glad to go."
11. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
"And in the darkened underpass, I thought, oh god! My chance has come at last."
But then a strange fear gripped me and I just couldn't ask."
Happy listening, and I hope you find the Smiths beautiful in ways I haven't yet.
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