“Burn down the disco
Hang the blessed DJ
Because the music that they constantly play
It says nothing to me about my life.”
This is a verse that tells us the opposite of what The Smiths are about; a verse sang by Steven Patrick Morrissey, lead singer and half of the main composing duo of The Smiths. It’s a quote from one of the hit singles of the band that reached a peak of number 11 on the UK singles chart and has been recognised as the single of the year by the readers of the influential New Musical Express.
The music of the Smiths is somewhat an image of an era, a chronicle of aesthetic influences and public moods of the British eighties. It's a period of time I find very interesting and colourful, not deprived of social drama and some kind of sadness coming from economically extremely significant time for the British society.
The band originates from Manchester, just like many important English musicians – The Buzzcocks, Joy Division, New Order or Oasis (not forgetting about The Beatles whose members were born and grew up in nearby Liverpool), making the musical scene of the Manchester municipal area a place at least as interesting as the one of the British capital.
The Queen is dead
What I find the most amusing about the band is first of all the music - surprise. Completely unobvious melodic lines composed into very catchy musical arrangements; reflective and clever lyrics full of intertextuality and interesting literary references, written by “The Moz”, brilliant compositions and guitar parts of Johny Marr (with appreciation for the bass and drum lines), and the wonderful, slightly kitschy (or one should say “camp”) vibe of the musical eighties – these are the things that in my opinion make them a great band.
http://musiqueindieegeste.blogspot.com/2007/12/smiths.html
- Can I call you Steven?
- No.
Second of all, the frontman. Or, The Frontman. Morrissey has always been a charismatic leader of the group, attracting attention with both his on-scene behaviour and way of dressing. He never avoided controversial statements, mostly as a strongly involved animal rights activist and propagator of vegetarianism. Also his sexuality was the matter of discussion, with himself stating that he does not recognise the terms homo-, hetero- or bisexual, claiming everyone has the same needs that cannot be differentiated. It was rumoured that he is a closeted homosexual, at the same time talking about some kind of celibacy Morrissey practices. This matter becomes unclear until now, what makes Moz an even more interesting person.
“I always thought my genitals were the result of some crude practical joke.”
Morrissey
It is a known fact for Morrissey’s fans that the particular kind of sensitivity he shows, is a blessing and a curse at the same time. On the one hand, all these songs would never become what they are without this interfering sensitivity. On the other, that characteristic of The Moz makes it hard to interact with him ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZDI4PIq8_s ), also for the fans during a concert. There were several occasions, on which he felt someway insulted and left the stage during a gig (the last time being in November at a Warsaw concert).
Lately Morrissey has revealed that he is fighting cancer, a fact not known until an interview for a Spanish magazine he gave in September. Partially his behaviour at the famous Stodoła concert might have been caused by this, the artist himself stated that he was offended by someone from the audience regarding his health issue. No one knows the truth but Morrissey and the offender.
http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,1019393,opage,3,title,Morrissey-przerwal-koncert-w-Warszawie,wid,17045489,wiadomosc.html?ticaid=11430c
To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die
Third of all – the sentiment. The Smiths’ songs are in some way sad and sentimental, and for what’s the most important – critical. At the same time that sadness does not deprive Morrissey’s lyrics of humorous elements and does not make the musical layer sound depressing. On the contrary – sometimes you can hear the eighties in a less fortunate arrangement of a song that if the right decisions were made, would sound just brilliantly. Right now it sounds only very very good (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoo9Vu1a9bU)
Exemplary questions:
1) What do you think about artists who are eccentric/have a difficult character? Is it acceptable if it results with extraordinary accomplishments? Can it change ones judgement of the artists personality?
2) If you familiarise yourself with the mentioned Warsaw concert incident, can you put yourself in that situation and choose your side: the offended artist vs the 'ignored' crowd?
3) Did you know that a lot of musicians of the younger generation consider The Smiths and Morrissey one of their major influences? Examples? Deftones, Muse, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, Placebo, Dinosaur Jr., Panic! At The Disco, Belle and Sebastian, The Killers.
Do you hear any resemblance?
The Queen is dead
- Can I call you Steven?
- No.
Second of all, the frontman. Or, The Frontman. Morrissey has always been a charismatic leader of the group, attracting attention with both his on-scene behaviour and way of dressing. He never avoided controversial statements, mostly as a strongly involved animal rights activist and propagator of vegetarianism. Also his sexuality was the matter of discussion, with himself stating that he does not recognise the terms homo-, hetero- or bisexual, claiming everyone has the same needs that cannot be differentiated. It was rumoured that he is a closeted homosexual, at the same time talking about some kind of celibacy Morrissey practices. This matter becomes unclear until now, what makes Moz an even more interesting person.
“I always thought my genitals were the result of some crude practical joke.”
Morrissey
It is a known fact for Morrissey’s fans that the particular kind of sensitivity he shows, is a blessing and a curse at the same time. On the one hand, all these songs would never become what they are without this interfering sensitivity. On the other, that characteristic of The Moz makes it hard to interact with him ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZDI4PIq8_s ), also for the fans during a concert. There were several occasions, on which he felt someway insulted and left the stage during a gig (the last time being in November at a Warsaw concert).
Lately Morrissey has revealed that he is fighting cancer, a fact not known until an interview for a Spanish magazine he gave in September. Partially his behaviour at the famous Stodoła concert might have been caused by this, the artist himself stated that he was offended by someone from the audience regarding his health issue. No one knows the truth but Morrissey and the offender.
Lately Morrissey has revealed that he is fighting cancer, a fact not known until an interview for a Spanish magazine he gave in September. Partially his behaviour at the famous Stodoła concert might have been caused by this, the artist himself stated that he was offended by someone from the audience regarding his health issue. No one knows the truth but Morrissey and the offender.
http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,1019393,opage,3,title,Morrissey-przerwal-koncert-w-Warszawie,wid,17045489,wiadomosc.html?ticaid=11430c
To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die
Third of all – the sentiment. The Smiths’ songs are in some way sad and sentimental, and for what’s the most important – critical. At the same time that sadness does not deprive Morrissey’s lyrics of humorous elements and does not make the musical layer sound depressing. On the contrary – sometimes you can hear the eighties in a less fortunate arrangement of a song that if the right decisions were made, would sound just brilliantly. Right now it sounds only very very good (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoo9Vu1a9bU)
1) What do you think about artists who are eccentric/have a difficult character? Is it acceptable if it results with extraordinary accomplishments? Can it change ones judgement of the artists personality?
2) If you familiarise yourself with the mentioned Warsaw concert incident, can you put yourself in that situation and choose your side: the offended artist vs the 'ignored' crowd?
3) Did you know that a lot of musicians of the younger generation consider The Smiths and Morrissey one of their major influences? Examples? Deftones, Muse, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, Placebo, Dinosaur Jr., Panic! At The Disco, Belle and Sebastian, The Killers.
Do you hear any resemblance?
I'm not a music ignorant but I've never heard about Smiths.
ReplyDeleteI think if you are an artist you are eccentric by default. I know few of them that are crazy or eccentric if they are rich :)
Have you ever read this article : http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/mar/14/top-10-surrealist-weird-art ?
If I pay for something like that and an artist ignores me then I feel offended.
To be honest I'm not the biggest fan of the oldies, neither I'm a fan of such music genre.
Thanks for your comment and the interesting link.
DeleteArtists are often eccentric indeed, but I wouldn't say all of them. To be honest, it's hard to come up with a universal definition of an artist, so it makes it even harder to talk about which of them are eccentric or what it even really means. You're right, money also makes people eccentric, but in a slightly different, worse ;) manner.
I agree with you on who should be blamed for the concert incident - Morrissey should have finished the show.
I have never heard anything about the Smiths. But when I was reading the presentation, I checked out their songs on Spotify. The most popular is
ReplyDeleteThere is the light that never goes out http://open.spotify.com/track/0WQiDwKJclirSYG9v5tayI
Thath's definitely not my type of music, but they have 25mln+ plays of this song, so there are quite popular.
The Smiths are one of those bands that are extremely popular in Britain, at the same time being popular around the world, but not to that extend. Their first album, 'The Queen is Dead' commented on British royalty, like some of their other songs, that - as mentioned in the post - captured the atmosphere of their time.
DeleteIt's also natural that not everyone likes them, of course - I am glad to have shown something new to you, so that you had a chance to form your own opinion :)
I have never heard about the Smiths too...
Delete1. As a teenager I was obsessed about the Smiths. Not anymore, though I still like their music. Morrissey is an exemple of an eccentric musician but there are many others. It's known that great sensibility usually goes hand in hand with difficult character. It also makes people create. That's why so many artists, not only musicians are eccentric. For exemple Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, James Brown.
ReplyDelete2. I think Morrissey could have reacted a little calmer. After all, he's paid for giving a show. That's what performers do. The public had chosen to see it and they should get what they wanted.
3. I would say that I hear some resemblence in the music of Radiohead, Placebo and Muse. I'm not a music expert so I can't really tell you why. Probably that's because of the vocalist's role. In all these bands vocalist's voice is characteristic but unpretentious and soft.
You are right, there are a lot of artists, that had to carry the burden of sensitivity, which - as it turns out - very often made them miserable, depressed, even suicidal. Also literature holds many such examples, like Bukowski, Poe, authors of the Beat Generation, etc.
DeleteAgain, I agree, that he should have more distance and shouldn't have reacted in such a way, leaving the stage after only a few songs.
Glad to hear you notice the resemblance. For me it is most noticeable in Alex Turner's lyrics and singing (Arctic Monkeys, The Last Shadow Puppets).
I have never heard about The Smiths so I was pretty interested how they sounds. Now when I have checked your proposition I regret to say that this band won’t be my favorite;)
ReplyDelete1) To be honest I don’t care about it. Personally I don’t know any famous artist so I just can’t know what exactly he or she really is (based only on information from mass media). But If an artist or someone else is rude just because he/she is famous – hmm for me it is ridiculous. Everyone should treat other people with respect, nothing more:)
2) I choose not to choose any side. Imao both sides behaved in a wrong way…
3) Unfortunately, I didn't know about it. Also as I mentioned I didn't hear The Smiths earlier so I couldn't find any resemblance.
I'm really into music, but to be honest I have never heard about The Smiths.
ReplyDeleteI have been on a lot of concert, most of them was during festivals like Orange Warsaw or Open'er.
I have heard Arctic Monkeys live (during Open'er) - they were fantastic!
About first question I think nothing, artist what you try describe in this article, creates musi what really don't interesting Me. I only heard name "the smiths", thats all.
ReplyDeleteAbout second question, I think, I will chose a ignored crowd. If anybody want's to be artist, they should be prepared for diffrent situation, where can be offended. Each people have the right not to like all artists.
About third question, I like very much Deftones, Placebo is realy good too, but finding resemblance between artists is not for Me, for Me artists are good or they are not good :)
1) I always have problem with “artists” – how much of it is an act and how much is their real personality. I share an opinion that if the music is equally good to the whole “show” around it – it’s OK with me. If celebrity is a “star” only because of his/her strange behaviour – it doesn’t worth a thing to me.
ReplyDelete2) There were many situations like this (for example http://muzyka.wp.pl/title,Peja-sprowokowal-do-pobicia-uczestnika-koncertu,wid,381394,wiadomosc.html) and I think that offended artist should react in a gentle way, by asking such person to stop, because viewer as well as artist should respect one another. Someone from the crowd should react as well, but I’m not sure how I would behave in a situation like this
3) I heard about those bands, but it’s not my piece of cake. That’s great that new bands are inspired by artist from the past, because if their style, brought them success, it’s wise to take best from this heritage.
Thanks for your comments, it is true - in these show business ruled times it's hard to get the truth about a public figure...
DeleteNice one! Nowadays we have a lot of (what I call it) junk music. You turn on a radio and your head can explode of countless songs without any specific reason apart from money. If the music is good it is mostly not accidentally, it is an effect of long cooperation between musicians, a common goal and hours and hours of practicing together to make it as perfect as the band wants it to be. Someone said that none of the nowadays inventions wouldn't be ever created without visualizing it in creator's imagination, same goes to ambitious music, I believe. Strong and remarkable characters are usually easily noticeable in popular bands. In most cases this is the one who keeps everything together, adding many ideas and efforts of a rest of a band.
ReplyDeleteHard topic for me cause I've never heard about them That is why I'll use your exemplar questions :) Thank you for them
ReplyDelete1) What do you think about artists who are eccentric/have a difficult character? Is it acceptable if it results with extraordinary accomplishments? Can it change ones judgement of the artists personality?
There is no rule for that. One are excentric, other are not, you can find that are not but try to be excentric. This is just business and it is all about money. Most of them will do what is needed to earn them, only the best are acting as they truly are and they are the best
About the article, it was interesting lectue thanks for that :)
Thanks and I am glad you found the post interesting!
DeleteI think there are cases when an 'artist', or however we will call them, is truly a weirdo, not just trying hard to be one. I understand what you are saying though and I agree in some cases - f.i. taking Marilyn Manson as an example.
I'm very into music, because I play guitar for 11 years and I know The Smiths very well - oh you handsome devil! - which is actually not really a pure style of The Smiths lol. Int his situation I have to say that eccentric artists always makes the BAND. I know alot of cases where the eccentric person left the band and band lost its power, sound or whatever it was. Basically non eccentric band members creates a contour of some picture but it is black and white, and then there is the eccentric person which fills them with color and this is what makes the band. Show must go on, there must be a personalities in the band which millions or thousands of people will follow, otherwise the band is boring and music is not enough. I can't really say when I place myself in the case of Stodoła gig. No one should ever offend anyone and offending an ARTIST on his own show is just stupid. Let's respect together.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, I agree with your point regarding eccentric artists, they give character to the music and overall image of the band. Usually these guys are the ones to remember.
DeleteI don't like when people say that some celebrity has eccentric personality. I don't agree with calling them eccentric, they are just rude. Should we forgive them bad or inappropriate behvior just because they are artists or they are famous?
ReplyDeleteI think artist are normal people like us. They can and they should control their behaviour.Whe shouldn't justify them!
Every week one of the presentations is not my cup of tea and I must to confess – this is example of them. Reason is very simple – I like to listen something different but thanks a lot for your effort and in overall – interesting presentation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your words of appreciation
DeleteQuite interesting article! Frankly I care only for one thing when it comes to musicians - if the music is good. And this is the case. So it what's most important. Behavior of artist is not very important for me. Little eccentricities only makes them more interesting. Although I would be very mad if someone interrupted a concert I paid for.
ReplyDeleteNever heard about them. It's nice to hear some new music, but I preffer something different. Still your presentation was well writen and a pleasure to read. Regards.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI haven't know anything about The Smiths aprat from the fact that there is a band like that. After listening the songs from this article, it is not my thing - probably that i hate the melancholic music, especially performed by rock bands from that era. Apart from my unmatching taste - a well written article :)
ReplyDelete