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The Smiths

bags
Joined: October 30, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 8545
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 03:43 PM UTC #
My Smiths story is similar to Bearman's. While I'd gotten Hatful of Hollow as a gift early in my senior year of high school, it was my sophomore year of college that cemented what the band meant to me. I was SO depressed, and would lay on my bed in my dorm room with the blinds drawn and listen to the Smiths catalogue to that point over and over. It truly lifted my spirit - not to giddiness or happiness, but out of the really deep blackness. Listening to them I thought, if someone as intelligent and sensitive and utterly cool as Morrissey could feel as sad and depressed as I, than clearly it's a 'normal state of being' for any person. That meant a lot, to at least be able to compartmentalize my 19-year old funk for what it was, yet another stage of growth or, hell, just being.

I agree that I don't know how someone could hate the Smiths across the board. Although, I will say, there are genres of music that I viscerally dislike – it's not happening in any logic part of my brain at all, it just drives me nuts (when even bands I love verge into Jam land, I go berserk). So, perhaps that can happen to other people as well – it's a more emotional reaction, they just don't 'get it.'

On a more general front, I have this recurring thought often in the middle of a really great sont: "Man, just one song can fill me with so much happiness for 4 minutes that it's literally enough to live for."

Clearly, for some of us, music is our drug. ;)
bags
Joined: October 30, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 8545
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 03:46 PM UTC #
This is the response I got to Doom's initial post from a friend of mine who LOVES music. We love many of the same bands, but we each diverge into territory the other doesn't get (he into the Dead, me into really sweep pop). He's not a Smiths fan, but I never knew if he actively disliked them, or just didn't care for them:

eh–i personally always found the Smiths a little dull also. i've never really gotten their appeal. but i decided to give them more of a listen before the Moz show, and thought it was a little better and would have been interested to see them live.
beetsnotbeats
Joined: May 18, 2005 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1181
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 03:47 PM UTC #
Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
Originally posted by Fadger:
This is an interesting topic. As I write I am listening to the Beatles who are still, in my opinion, the greatest band ever.
Ugh, where did you come from?
:roll:
bnyced0
Joined: March 02, 2006 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 894
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 04:05 PM UTC #
Originally posted by xneverwherex:
this doesnt have anything to do with the smiths, per se … but i loved hearing morrissey talk about the dolls in the movie - new york doll. how great it was when he got them to perform in 2004 at his festival (which im completely blanking out on the name). its definitely worth checking out, if only to see Moz.

besides - arthur kane was pretty fascinating. its on IFC this month so anyone can see it if they have cable.
That would be Meltdown darling, and stay on topic!
xneverwherex
Joined: September 27, 2004 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 2109
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 04:10 PM UTC #
thanks darlin'! (i knew youd know and/or respond). well my response did involve morrissey - and we all know morrissey's love for the dolls. perhaps its the way we all feel about the smiths - on topic enough, right? at least i didnt go on about the beatles :D
renton007
Joined: May 18, 2005 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 305
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 05:12 PM UTC #
I have a much different The Smiths story. I bought my first The Smiths album 2 summers ago, at age 28. I was always aware of them but had never heard so much as a song. I thought they were great instantly and wished I had been listening to them in the awkward teenage years. I just felt like sharing that.
TheDirector217
Joined: August 02, 2006 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 999
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 05:23 PM UTC #
Learn to love me
Assemble the ways
Now, today, tomorrow and always
My only weakness is a list of crime
My only weakness is … well, never mind, never mind

Oh, shoplifters of the world
Unite and take over
Shoplifters of the world
Hand it over
Hand it over
Hand it over


Learn to love me
And assemble the ways
Now, today, tomorrow, and always
My only weakness is a listed crime
But last night the plans of a future war
Was all I saw on Channel Four


Shoplifters of the world
Unite and take over
Shoplifters of the world
Hand it over
Hand it over
Hand it over


A heartless hand on my shoulder
A push - and it's over
Alabaster crashes down
(Six months is a long time)
Tried living in the real world
Instead of a shell
But before I began …
I was bored before I even began


Shoplifters of the world
Unite and take over
Shoplifters of the world
Unite and take over
Shoplifters of the world
Unite and take over
Shoplifters of the world
Take over

Pure. Fuckin'. Genius.

Note: Sorry to swagger-jack your trademark, B. :D
sweetcell
Joined: July 18, 2006 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 22608
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 05:43 PM UTC #
Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
The most amazing thing about the Smiths was that from the time they released "Hand in Glove" (May 1983) to the time Johnny Marr spoke the words: "I didn't form a group to perform Cilla Black songs" (August 1987) it was four years and three months.

All they accomplished: Four albums, seventeen singles (eight(!!!) of which weren't on a proper studio album) and millions of fans whose lives were changed.

Fifty-one months and they were gone. You can place their entire career in the time between Radiohead albums.

Johnny Marr was only 23 when they BROKE UP!

Amazing what they accomplished in that time.
FYI, you are lauding a band that released albums before you were born (if you were alive, you were very young - too young to make them relevant to your life). why are you defending this golden oldie shit? how can it possibly compete with AFI or fallout boy?

confused.
Brian_Walalce
Joined: May 16, 2005 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1484
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 05:47 PM UTC #
Originally posted by sweetcell:
how can it possibly compete with AFI or fallout boy?

confused.
A Fire Inside, My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy all ROCK! They are awesome.

Brian
sonickteam2
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 05:49 PM UTC #
hmm, i want to join the Smiths debate, but i cant since i probably couldnt name 3 songs they sing.

i was 10 when they broke up.


but what i can say is that if these kids were in their early to mid twenties, then its possible that, being younger than i, they knew no one who listened to or like the smiths.

sometimes music needs to be happening at the time for people to really get their real importance of musical talent. sure, the beatles and the beach boys influenced TONS of bands that i listen to today but their music was always just classic songs to me, never really songs that tie memories or remind me of my life at all.

i think this is why "rip-off" bands like Interpol, White stripes, wolfmother, etc exist because sure, you could just put in some sabbath, but that was someone else's band, every generation needs bands to call their own. I find it hard to believe that anyone who puts in RATM's debut album and listens to it for the first time today will get the same feeling from it as some of us who did in 1993.

and lastly, i am guilty of denouncing the talent of world famous musicians after i've had a few too many so this could be the simple reason.
Brian_Walalce
Joined: May 16, 2005 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1484
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 05:54 PM UTC #
Originally posted by le sonick:

every generation needs bands to call their own.
Amen. I agree 100%. I'm going to get that tattooed on my forehead.

Brian
sonickteam2
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 05:55 PM UTC #
Originally posted by Brian Wallace:

The most amazing thing about the Smiths was that from the time they released "Hand in Glove" (May 1983) to the time Johnny Marr spoke the words: "I didn't form a group to perform Cilla Black songs" (August 1987) it was four years and three months.

All they accomplished: Four albums, seventeen singles (eight(!!!) of which weren't on a proper studio album) and millions of fans whose lives were changed.

Fifty-one months and they were gone. You can place their entire career in the time between Radiohead albums.
sounds like Blink 182 to me!!!!

perhaps if the smiths did this sort of stuff now, they would be a "flash in the pan"???
sonickteam2
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 05:56 PM UTC #
Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
Originally posted by le sonick:

every generation needs bands to call their own.
Amen. I agree 100%. I'm going to get that tattooed on my forehead.

Brian
how about on your forearm, you may live to regret a forehead tat!

:D
Rhett Miller
Joined: November 15, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 17762
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 05:58 PM UTC #
You're more sarcastic than I am!

Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
Originally posted by sweetcell:
how can it possibly compete with AFI or fallout boy?

confused.
A Fire Inside, My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy all ROCK! They are awesome.

Brian
Brian_Walalce
Joined: May 16, 2005 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1484
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 06:12 PM UTC #
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
You're more sarcastic than I am!

Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
Originally posted by sweetcell:
how can it possibly compete with AFI or fallout boy?

confused.
A Fire Inside, My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy all ROCK! They are awesome.

Brian
My sincerity is often mistaken for sarcasm. That's my curse. I really do like those bands. Whether I have gladioli hanging out of my back pocket or not…

Brian
bunnyman
Joined: November 19, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 5542
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 06:19 PM UTC #
I thought that was the case…my sarcasm-meter was surprisingly still when I read that post.
Rhett Miller
Joined: November 15, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 17762
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 06:25 PM UTC #
You're at least 20 years younger than I am!

Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
You're more sarcastic than I am!

Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
Originally posted by sweetcell:
how can it possibly compete with AFI or fallout boy?

confused.
A Fire Inside, My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy all ROCK! They are awesome.

Brian
My sincerity is often mistaken for sarcasm. That's my curse. I really do like those bands. Whether I have gladioli hanging out of my back pocket or not…

Brian
bnyced0
Joined: March 02, 2006 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 894
Re: The Smiths August 14, 2007 at 06:55 PM UTC #
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
Note: Sorry to swagger-jack your trademark, B. :D
NO CE PROBLEMA, BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT….

A sad fact widely known
The most impassionate song
To a lonely soul
Is so easily outgrown
But don't forget the songs
That made you smile
And the songs that made you cry
When you lay in awe
On the bedroom floor
And said : "Oh, oh, smother me Mother…"
No …
Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring
La …

The passing of time
And all of its crimes
Is making me sad again
The passing of time
And all of its sickening crimes
Is making me sad again
But don't forget the songs
That made you cry
And the songs that saved your life
Yes, you're older now
And you're a clever swine
But they were the only ones who ever stood by you


The passing of time leaves empty lives
Waiting to be filled (the passing …)
The passing of time
Leaves empty lives
Waiting to be filled
I'm here with the cause
I'm holding the torch
In the corner of your room
Can you hear me ?
And when you're dancing and laughing
And finally living
Hear my voice in your head
And think of me kindly
No …
Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring
La …
No …
Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring


Do you
Love me like you used to ?
Oh …
Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring
La …


You're clever
Everybody's clever nowadays
You're clever
Everybody's clever nowadays


You are sleeping
You do not want to believe
You are sleeping
You do not want to believe
You are sleeping
You do not want to believe
You are sleeping


….KEEP IT ON POINT.

b. :cool:
lwoxley
Joined: October 06, 2004 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 4792
Re: The Smiths August 17, 2007 at 06:07 PM UTC #
I give up on this board because it became boring and then I have a little lurk one day and come across this topic!

The Smiths - Johnny Marr, a wonderful musician with his own style that nobody has been able to mimick even though some have tried. Mike Joyce a barely average drummer and Andy Rourke an average bassist on a good day. You basically have a one man band who could've been been accompanied by anyone who can tune a bass or hold up a drumstick. Then you have Morrissey who is one of the most gifted and underrated songwriters of any generation. Between Morrissey and Marr you have a songwriting partnership who should be recognized alongside Lennon/McCartney and John/Taupin, but they aren't because of the subject matter of many of his lyrics. The only difference is Morrissey will write a song about uncomfortable subjects that other songwriters either won't or can't - November Spawned a Monster for example. (Post Smiths I know, but still Morrissey)

What do The Smiths mean to me? Well, being the same age as Morrissey and growing up in Manc I really connect with many of his songs. Headmasters Ritual and Suffer Little Children to name just two. At the time, I loved The Smiths but never truly appreciated them. I remember watching them on Top of the Pops singing "Heavens Knows I'm Miserable Now" with my dad sat in his favourite chair smoking like a trooper and making remarks like "Look at that pillock with the twig sticking out of his arse" (if you haven't seen it youtube it) If only my dad knew what that he could've been the subject of a Morrissey song himself, with his victorian views and dry and sometimes hurtful wit.

What The Smiths meant to me as a younger man was that other people feel this angst, fear, depression and helplessness that I felt as a teenager trying to become a man, and it was a great comfort to know that someone was writing songs about it so I didn't feel such a freak. What they meant to me as an adult was totally different. When I first moved to the USA I was hopelessly homesick, which was weird seeing as I'd not really lived anywhere other than on a warship for the previous 10+ years. I think it had more to do with being alone in America with this weird accent that the locals couldn't understand (think Gallagher brothers and the necessity for subtitles when they get interviewed stateside) and this very strange culture shock that I wasn't expecting whatsoever. I was newly married to an American who either didn't get it, or didn't want to get the fact I was finding it hard to settle in. What did I do? I did what I always did during difficult times, I turned to my music collection. All of a sudden The Smiths became something totally different to me. They became 'home' to me. I would sit and listen to them constantly and be back home in manc, and being in the weird country surrounded by these fake people telling me to have a nice day when they really didn't give a toss if a double decker bus killed me as soon as I walked out of the shop, didn't matter so much anymore. I also tried stop trying so hard to fit in and just started to be myself again, instead of just another foriegner trying to become a psuedo American.

I am one of these people who reads the lyrics before playing an album so very much influenced by the words. I admire Bowie - Mike Scott and other great songwriters, but none write songs that touch me like Morrissey. Paul Heaton comes close because he also writes about northern England…kind of a Moz lite if you know what I mean…..
ggw
Joined: December 16, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 14237
Re: The Smiths August 17, 2007 at 08:55 PM UTC #
So, Dylan and the Beatles suck, but My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy are "awesome"….

I thought one had to be at least 13 to post on this board.

Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
You're more sarcastic than I am!

Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
Originally posted by sweetcell:
how can it possibly compete with AFI or fallout boy?

confused.
A Fire Inside, My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy all ROCK! They are awesome.

Brian
My sincerity is often mistaken for sarcasm. That's my curse. I really do like those bands. Whether I have gladioli hanging out of my back pocket or not…

Brian
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