The SMITHS

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Surely we've got some fans of Morissey/The Smiths here on WP . What I wonder is why they appeal so strongly to women, most people I know who LUV them are female(not unlike The Cure). I personally am quite a fan myself .

Well I'm male and I absolutely loved their record "The Queen Is Dead", and quite liked "Strangeways, Here We Come". It's a pity they fell out, I was never very impressed with Morrissey solo.

I particularly like "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" and the lyrics to "Bigmouth Strikes Again":

Bigmouth strikes again
And I've got no right to take my place
With the human race.

And now I know how Joan of Arc felt
Now I know how Joan of Arc felt
As the flames rose to her roman nose
And her hearing aid started to melt...

I like The Smiths, but I don't listen to them much these days. My favorite song is "Half a Person". Other favorites include:
"William, It Was Really Nothing"
"Shoplifters of the World, Unite"
"Unlovable"
"Panic"

Oh, I forgot to add that I've also noticed that they appeal to women in particular and I've wondered why. I've noticed a similar phenomenon with Pulp and Elvis Costello, among others. Maybe women like British guys who write lyrics that are literary, witty, sarcastic, and sad?

I think it's funny when I hear of women having crushes on Morrissey. First of all, he's an extremely introverted likely-aspie, and he was bullied and rejected by everyone before he was famous. Secondly, he described himself as asexual for a long time and I've heard he's gay now.

Now, Jarvis Cocker (of Pulp) on the other hand . . .

I love some of Morrissey's solo stuff, and some of the Smiths. I have a Smiths compilation but I find it difficult to listen to all the way through because the M-dog can get a bit overbearing.

Here's my review of a recent Morrissey best of!
http://rockmidgets.com/releases.php?page=3&id=2533

I love The Smiths. My favourite songs are 'Oscillate Wildly', 'There is a Light That Never Goes Out', 'Barbarism Begins at Home', 'Pretty Girls Make Graves'... I could be here all day, listing titles. The only Smiths song I have never liked and will never like is 'Golden Lights'.

It seems to be a requirement for a Smiths fan to like nearly all if not all of their songs, so I can't call myself a Smiths fan, but their self-titled album and The Queen Is Dead were very good. As far as Morrissey solo goes, I thought Your Arsenal, Vauxhall and I and more controversially Southpaw Grammar was a decent run.

I'm a Cure fan.
However, unlike the stereotype for Cure fans, I adore The Smiths. Morrissey's solo career has left me unimpressed save "Irish Blood English Heart"

Cant say Ive heard much of Morissey's solo work. But *That* seems to be what the ladies really love.............

I love the Smiths. I was obsessed with them for years, and I still listen to them from time to time. Too many songs to list. "Unloveable", "The Boy with the Thorn in his Side", "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" and "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" are close to my heart. Morrissey wrote so many memorable lines. The solo stuff is not so good. I love the songs on Bona Drag, although the sound is very 80s, seriously outdated. Your Arsenal is the best balance of good songs with good sound.

Check out this WP anthem.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAxpvw4qOZQ[/youtube]

I haven't seriously listened to the Smiths or Morrissey for years, but back when I was in high school it infused meloncholia into my life in such a righteous way.

Why oh why did I never see this topic?

The Smiths IMO is the second best band ever (second only to Echo & The Bunnymen) and lyrically the best ever. Period.

The band is so incredibly gifted with words. In a way I always considered them an aspie band. Songs such as How Soon Is Now is an aspie anthem really, while some other songs such as There Is A Light... (which is about not feeling at home anywhere and longing for escape) are very recognisable to many aspies as well I believe.

The Smiths sing about common themes such as being misunderstood, social isolation, depression, politics, ... but they do it in such a great way. Always original, always thoughtful, sometimes very emotional but sometimes also with some black humor (Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others, or Pretty Girls Make Graves, ...) and often tongue-in-cheeck, forcing the listener to think about their message by hiding the real meaning between the lines. Morrissey is the best lyricist ever in my opinion. A line like "No it's not like any other love, this one is different because it's us" is beyond fantastic in all its simplicity.




Best songs: How Soon Is Now, There Is A Light..., Stop me if..., Rubber Ring, Hand In Glove, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Sheila Take A Bow, You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby, ...




Morrissey solo? Well, his last album was amazing and I adore "Every day is like Sunday". Generally though I miss the input of Johnny Marr. His guitar playing was special. I still like Moz solo because it is still a charismatic man on stage with some fantastic lyrics, but it just doesn't match with The Smiths as a collective.

Still, saw Mozzer twice last tour and he was amazing.

PS on the forum www.strangewaysherewecome.co.uk I once wrote a topic about the Smiths and their appeal towards autistic people (I am the only aspie there as far as I know). Reminds me that the forum somehow got out of mind, I should visit again...

i am a huge Smiths / Mozza fan! morrissey is a top hero of mine cause i think he
is just different. i do relate to his lyrics strongly more now than anybody else.
his last album ' Ringleader of the Tormentors' is just genius! the smiths had a terrific
run of albums with Meat is Murder being my personal fav & yep, i am a vege, but it was
nothing to do with morrissey, haha.
great to hear other Smith lovers out there, they are certainly the best band of the 80's for me!