Ticket 2 Ride

For a brief time during the 1980s, The Smiths pumped out muscular, yet poignant rock and roll. Jangly guitar riffs met melancholy lyrics. Only four studio albums and a series of standalone singles – and then they were gone. Vocalist/lyricist Morrissey and guitarist/songwriter Johnny Marr went on to successful solo careers, yet it stood difficult to surpass which they created together.

I follow Marr quite closely, but have only occasionally listened to Morrissey (but I did purchase a copy of his first solo album). Check out the blog I wrote about them. After publishing it, a reader sent me a comment stating that I didn’t know what I was talking about. Apparently, he felt that I was disparaging Morrissey. My bad.

Catching up with Morrissey and Johnny Marr

Here are five Smith songs for this lovely Friday. Enjoy!

“There is a Light That Never Goes Out” (1986) from The Queen is Dead. My favorite Smiths tune. I also like the version Marr did on 7 Worlds Collide as part of Neil Finn and Friends.

“Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” (1984) a B-side of a single. Morrissey is criticized for sounding too melancholy and whiny. It’s acceptable here, it’s not over the top. One of Marr’s best melodies, a very sweet song and great arrangement.

“How Soon is Now?” (1984) originally the B-side of a single, tacked onto the U.S. release Meat is Murder. I refer to this as “the meat grinder son” as it has those raw, train-sounding guitars.

“You Just Haven’t Earned it Yet, Baby” (1987) released on the compilation album, The World Won’t Listen. The song was supposed to be the A-side of a single, but it was cancelled. Super jangly guitar song, Marr would make The Byrds jealous with this tune. Instantly hummable.

“Bigmouth Strikes Again” (1986) from The Queen is Dead. Strange name for a song, but hey, all Smith songs are a bit weird lyrically. It actually works here. Great tune.

Further listening…

Here are some crazy titled songs, some memorable, some less so, but you get the idea.

“Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before”, “Girlfriend in a Coma”, “Death of a Disco Dance”, “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”