The Smiths

  • 67 Replies
  • 2033 Views
*

an tha

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 18949
  • And you can swallow, or you can spit....
The Smiths
« on: August 19, 2021, 03:26:45 AM »
Surprised there has never been a thread dedicated to them before.

Was about to post the below in the miscellaneous music thread and then thought no it would make a good opener for a dedicated Smiths thread....

https://guitar.com/guides/essential-guide/the-smiths-greatest-guitar-moments-ranked/

174

*

Smee

  • *
  • 3262
  • Howdy
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2021, 11:50:43 AM »
I like the Smiths. had a number of their singles, back in the 80s. They long since disappeared. Great music.
In the garden I was playing the tart
I kissed your lips and broke your heart
You
You were acting like it was the end of the world

*

an tha

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 18949
  • And you can swallow, or you can spit....
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2021, 01:34:28 PM »
Morrissey may just be the greatest lyricist of his generation.
174

*

guest582

Re: The Smiths
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2021, 02:09:54 PM »
One of my favourite lyrics.

"In my life, why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die?"



*

mariamontreal

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 1780
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2021, 02:17:37 AM »
Love the Smiths...I am criminally broken I am human and I need to be loved just like everyone else doesTop of my. favorite  bands after U2 of course.
She moves in mysterious ways

*

an tha

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 18949
  • And you can swallow, or you can spit....
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2021, 05:46:57 AM »
Love the Smiths...I am criminally broken I am human and I need to be loved just like everyone else doesTop of my. favorite  bands after U2 of course.

The lyric is "Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar" but i know what you mean!
174

*

mariamontreal

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 1780
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2021, 06:16:36 AM »
Love the Smiths...I am criminally broken I am human and I need to be loved just like everyone else doesTop of my. favorite  bands after U2 of course.

The lyric is "Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar" but i know what you mean!
Spot on,still ,I  am criminally broken are good lyrics, don't you think?I have not put them on for a while, indeed you are correct.
« Last Edit: August 20, 2021, 06:18:41 AM by mariamontreal »
She moves in mysterious ways

*

an tha

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 18949
  • And you can swallow, or you can spit....
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2021, 04:22:15 AM »
Love the Smiths...I am criminally broken I am human and I need to be loved just like everyone else doesTop of my. favorite  bands after U2 of course.

The lyric is "Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar" but i know what you mean!
Spot on,still ,I  am criminally broken are good lyrics, don't you think?I have not put them on for a while, indeed you are correct.

I like the idea of a lyric 'criminally broken'......opens up all kinds of possibilities as to how became 'criminally broken'/what being so is....!
174

*

an tha

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 18949
  • And you can swallow, or you can spit....
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2021, 12:01:41 PM »
174

*

mariamontreal

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 1780
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2021, 02:34:38 PM »
Love the Smiths...I am criminally broken I am human and I need to be loved just like everyone else doesTop of my. favorite  bands after U2 of course.

The lyric is "Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar" but i know what you mean!
Spot on,still ,I  am criminally broken are good lyrics, don't you think?I have not put them on for a while, indeed you are correct.

I like the idea of a lyric 'criminally broken'......opens up all kinds of possibilities as to how became 'criminally broken'/what being so is....!
It is a good  lyric sometimes we love when we know the outcome and consequences and know its wrong.
She moves in mysterious ways

*

Soloyan

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 5098
  • I'm not sleeping
    • GREG LEMOND FANS
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #10 on: August 22, 2021, 02:43:39 AM »
I discovered the Smiths in 1990.
They’ve had a huge influence on me. Maybe too much, if I’m honest.

Morrissey’s punchlines go right to your stomach. Sadly, he became a caricature of himself, but his solo work contains a few gems too.

Johnny Marr is the true genius of the band. The way he plays is truly unique. You should go see him live if you have the chance.

I never knew if Andy Rourke was a great bass player or if JM wrote most of his lines…

Mike Joyce is an interesting drummer for this band. He has a punk sound but he can really play. The lawsuit he did, however, prevents us from any Smiths reunion ever. Not necessarily a bad thing.

There was a time, though, when Johnny Marr released his first solo albums, when I thought his style and Morrissey’s were highly compatible, musically speaking. A Morrissey / Marr reunion could have been nice, as Page / Plant did.
A dangerous idea that almost makes sense...

*

Soloyan

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 5098
  • I'm not sleeping
    • GREG LEMOND FANS
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2021, 08:03:43 AM »
…also : the band greatly benefits from a super short lifespan : they released stuff for only 4 years (84 -> 87). They split before they were bad… or at least questionable.

That said, I think the main problem with the Smiths is the production. IMO they never got to work with a truly impactful, sound designing producer. In fact, my favorite recordings of The Smiths are the Peel sessions.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Stephen Street and he did a great job with Blur but he was just beginning when he worked with the Smiths. Sure it was an improvement compared to the previous records but still not perfect. Again, just my opinion.
A dangerous idea that almost makes sense...

*

an tha

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 18949
  • And you can swallow, or you can spit....
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2021, 09:21:20 AM »
Better to burn out than to fade away...?

Maybe??

The more i hear of bands i used to love who are now clocking up a lot of years the more i think the above statement holds more water.......

As for Marr, totally agree he is a genius, a very very innovative player and it all comes so naturally to him.

He also does a pretty decent turn when it comes to singing some of The Smiths best songs....i love this performance...

174

*

Larry Lovebucket

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 7438
  • Because I’m worth it.
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2021, 09:50:32 AM »
I somewhat agree their records suffered from production issues. Although these were largely absent from their final LP.

That said, The Smiths were absolutely one of the greatest bands of a generation. As for reforming I am delighted this will never happen. I can't think of anything worse.

There are too many amazing lyrics but todays choice is this:

Sheila take a, sheila take a bow
Boot the grime of this world in the crotch, dear
And don't go home tonight
Come out and find the one that you love and who loves you
©2024

*

an tha

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 18949
  • And you can swallow, or you can spit....
Re: The Smiths
« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2021, 10:36:03 AM »
A lyric a day i think is an idea...

I'll go with:

"What she asked of me at the end of the day Caligula would have blushed"
174