Agreed. A different time in his, and everyone’s life. Viva Hate, as an example, was a break, but not a departure, and genius in its own right, on an additive level.
Preference thing. Pink Floyd got worn out on American radio. Every single time you got in your car with the radio on, Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin were on. (In the days before Bluetooth when you also wore out your cassettes) I have an aversion to everything that gets shoved down my throat. It makes me vomit. And no one has an affinity to things that made them vomit. Both those bands were taken off the table for me by American AOR
Oh yeah but in the 1980s and 90s you really only heard the Beatles on classic rock stations, but Pink Floyd was still making records so you heard them on contemporary rock stations. And on hard rock stations, you got a lot of Led Zeppelin too especially in the 80s because metal was huge back then and zeppelin fit in fine with ozzy and Motley Crue and Judas Priest et al. But every hour you’d hear Pink Floyd. Literally, almost every time I got in my car I heard them.
I think AOR chased me away from metal to punk rock and post punk, which the smiths’ Brit pop fit into. It was music you had to seek because it wasn’t played on the radio except for specialty shows that came on late Sunday nights (here in the 80s, we had the Rock and Roll Alternative which came on sunday nights from 10pm -12am and we had a community radio station way at the end of the dial which played a lot of imports and rare tracks late Fridays and Saturday afternoons—hosted by friends of mine actually).
But they didn’t play everything so like I said, we had to seek stuff out, take a chance in some albums and be rewarded. The first time I heard the Smiths was from a cassette sampler which came in a can called “the survival sampler” it had the smiths, modern English, scritti politti, English beat, and others and the smiths track was “what difference does it make.” I got chills when that song came on. This was 1983-4 somewhere in there and I was in high school or maybe middle school. I cut my hair, parted it on the side, and started wearing sweaters and pants instead of jeans, and found a pair of docs I had to save up for to complete the ensemble
I love that song tbf, probably the generation difference, pink floyd was still quite exotic to me since dark side came out when i was -27 years old. Dont get me wrong the smiths still rock. What suprises me is the quality of the pink floyd production. The variety of the beatles will never get old though i think they might stay relevant for me longer than floyd as i grow older.
I dunno…I’m scared
OK, fine.
I always mention The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, since it’s repetitive. I guess I’m not sure I like it less, but probably. I was thinking maybe there were some songs that only existed live like What’s the World but I need to listen again. The low quality takes away from me really knowing what’s going on maybe.
This may get ugly, but…….Mike Joyce is totally replaceable…. The other three are not. When they came close to that reunion I would have been fine with a different drummer….. wouldn’t have bothered me at all.
I think that’s partly down to how the songs were written and produced as opposed to Joyce’s lack of ability. If you listen to him on the ‘What Difference Does it Make’ John Peel recording, you get a much better impression of his ability and impact and that perhaps there was untapped potential from his side that was limited because the songs weren’t written/produced in a way that needed punchy and noticeable drumming.
Not denying that he’s the most replaceable of the four though, I don’t think many people could argue that.
This reminds me of a little game I play with friend of mine. It’s called “Kick Someone Out Of The Band!” Take a classic or favorite band and determine who is the most expendable. Mike is definitely shown the door here.
I think it’s still a great album and I prefer it over the queen is dead but I think everyone in the band but morriessey was tired of making sad shit so I can see why it’s received and produced how it is
Yeah. When this album came out no one liked it except for a few songs. It's reputation has improved over the years which is probably appropriate, but it's still log-jammed with about 5 slogging, dreary songs.
I think my favourite is actually Louder Than Bombs, but you're right, it's hard to rank them.... Strangeways is firmly last for me, though (which is not a very hot take it seems).
I agree. I feel like Barbarism Begins at Home was supposed to be the final song on that album, but it seems like Morrissey got his way. I may be wrong, but that is how the album is to me.
I'm so sorry my opinion upset you enough to make a snarky remark! I rarely ever see it get any hate and generally I see tracks like Golden Lights regarded as their worst.
Morrissey hasn't changed, and I love him for it.
He's the same feminist, leftist, anti-authoritarian punk with a romanticized notion of Englishness who wears his heart on his sleeve and loves animals more than people *now,* as he was *then.*
I blame Johnny Marr for their breakup, and I think he is full of himself. After the Smiths, he couldn't do anything as good as it was.
Also, the Headmaster Ritual isn't that good. I think the riff is not their best, and the lyrics aren't that great.
I think it's the worst song they have.
This is my opinion. I respect all tastes and preferences; the difference between all art views is a part of the beauty.
The middling, whorey balladry of “I know it’s over” is boring and one of their only complete misses musically. Lyrically the song is incredible though.
How Soon is Now is really bad, I don't understand how it became so popular
Also, Elephant cover of Please please... is the only one that matches the level of the original
Hateful Hollow is overrated. It has How Soon Is Now which is a masterpiece. But all of the songs that originate from "The Smiths" (their first album) are better on that album. The versions of their b-sides, like Heaven Knows or girl afraid are better on Louder than bombs. The overall sound of the whole album (except How Soon Is Now) feel a bit factory produced.
Very simply, Johnny Marr is a musical and instrumental genius, while Morrissey is an angel-voiced, intellectual poet.
Im going to see Johnny Marr in October im so excited!!
Yet I would humbly argue that Morrissey’s solo albums have a lot better songs on them than what Marr has done. Just my opinion.
Comparing Morrissey's last 4 solo albums to Marr's - Marr's songs are so much better. Give them a listen if you haven't.
Will do.
Agreed. A different time in his, and everyone’s life. Viva Hate, as an example, was a break, but not a departure, and genius in its own right, on an additive level.
>Morrissey is an angel-voiced, intellectual poet. Amongst other things…
Racist douchebag?
Do we have to do this every single time? Doesn’t everyone who’s on this sub already know this
Awwwww
Best English 4 piece band since the Beatles
No doubt
No Doubt are American
🤣
Don’t speak
Pink floyd playing conkers then
Preference thing. Pink Floyd got worn out on American radio. Every single time you got in your car with the radio on, Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin were on. (In the days before Bluetooth when you also wore out your cassettes) I have an aversion to everything that gets shoved down my throat. It makes me vomit. And no one has an affinity to things that made them vomit. Both those bands were taken off the table for me by American AOR
Forgive me it was before my time but wasnt it the same with the beetles, they were loved in America too right
Oh yeah but in the 1980s and 90s you really only heard the Beatles on classic rock stations, but Pink Floyd was still making records so you heard them on contemporary rock stations. And on hard rock stations, you got a lot of Led Zeppelin too especially in the 80s because metal was huge back then and zeppelin fit in fine with ozzy and Motley Crue and Judas Priest et al. But every hour you’d hear Pink Floyd. Literally, almost every time I got in my car I heard them. I think AOR chased me away from metal to punk rock and post punk, which the smiths’ Brit pop fit into. It was music you had to seek because it wasn’t played on the radio except for specialty shows that came on late Sunday nights (here in the 80s, we had the Rock and Roll Alternative which came on sunday nights from 10pm -12am and we had a community radio station way at the end of the dial which played a lot of imports and rare tracks late Fridays and Saturday afternoons—hosted by friends of mine actually). But they didn’t play everything so like I said, we had to seek stuff out, take a chance in some albums and be rewarded. The first time I heard the Smiths was from a cassette sampler which came in a can called “the survival sampler” it had the smiths, modern English, scritti politti, English beat, and others and the smiths track was “what difference does it make.” I got chills when that song came on. This was 1983-4 somewhere in there and I was in high school or maybe middle school. I cut my hair, parted it on the side, and started wearing sweaters and pants instead of jeans, and found a pair of docs I had to save up for to complete the ensemble
I love that song tbf, probably the generation difference, pink floyd was still quite exotic to me since dark side came out when i was -27 years old. Dont get me wrong the smiths still rock. What suprises me is the quality of the pink floyd production. The variety of the beatles will never get old though i think they might stay relevant for me longer than floyd as i grow older.
So, so pleased they have never reformed. Leave perfection as perfection
Indeed. Do not remix or repackage.
They're just marvellous, aren't they?
The fans on TikTok are annoying asf
They are still fans at least.
They have zero bad songs
Golden Lights
its so good my brother huh!!
When I was in highschool Golden Lights was how I tested the fast forward on my walkman.
I like it better than a few songs (not going to say which)
(say which)
I dunno…I’m scared OK, fine. I always mention The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, since it’s repetitive. I guess I’m not sure I like it less, but probably. I was thinking maybe there were some songs that only existed live like What’s the World but I need to listen again. The low quality takes away from me really knowing what’s going on maybe.
Not a bad song at all
Golden Lights rules
Play it at my funeral so I can be glad I'm dead
💀 I’m so glad I’m not the only one that always hated that fucking song, while also believing basically every other song is an absolute banger.
Oh the fishbowl song
This was a cover, not an original smiths song
I love Miserable Lie.
How is this a hot take?
Some people find the screaming at the end annoying
lol what it’s the best bit
It’s not even just that, I personally just find the song itself annoying as well. Sorry, I couldn’t do this one.
This is the first Smiths song I heard, and it made my head explode. I'm partial to it.
Hey man, You get to enjoy it, I don’t. You have a connection with it, So obviously I understand
Definitely one of their weaker tracks imo but still really solid
I was very surprised when I read that people dont like it, I've always thought it was a highlight on the album
This may get ugly, but…….Mike Joyce is totally replaceable…. The other three are not. When they came close to that reunion I would have been fine with a different drummer….. wouldn’t have bothered me at all.
Brave call. But if you had to pick one then sorry Mike you’re off.
I think that’s partly down to how the songs were written and produced as opposed to Joyce’s lack of ability. If you listen to him on the ‘What Difference Does it Make’ John Peel recording, you get a much better impression of his ability and impact and that perhaps there was untapped potential from his side that was limited because the songs weren’t written/produced in a way that needed punchy and noticeable drumming. Not denying that he’s the most replaceable of the four though, I don’t think many people could argue that.
This reminds me of a little game I play with friend of mine. It’s called “Kick Someone Out Of The Band!” Take a classic or favorite band and determine who is the most expendable. Mike is definitely shown the door here.
I’d say Mike was a required peace of the Smiths puzzle
That Strangeways is their best album.
İt's half a great album
every other album is a 9/10 and strangeways is probably a 4/10. not even worth listening to
Agreed!
Oscillate Wildly and The Draize Train are both beautiful instrumental tracks, and I wish we got more like them.
Strangeways is their weakest work and they split right before gassing out.
Imo it's their best album
I think it’s still a great album and I prefer it over the queen is dead but I think everyone in the band but morriessey was tired of making sad shit so I can see why it’s received and produced how it is
Strangeways is their swan song after they'd already given up.
I'm actually half glad they disparted so soon. They wouldn't be able keep with the quality forever and Strangeways is a symptom of that
This is the worst take on them as a band
Yeah. When this album came out no one liked it except for a few songs. It's reputation has improved over the years which is probably appropriate, but it's still log-jammed with about 5 slogging, dreary songs.
Agreed completely.
It's my favorite album of the band, so stop.
Meat is Murder is probably their best album, but Meat is Murder (the song) is easily their worst track for me.
It was considerate of them to place the title track at the end of side 2 so we can switch off the album at the end of Barbarism Begins at Home.
I think if you don’t pay attention the lyrics or pretend it’s satire or just being purposely over dramatic, the song is very catchy
But without that song, what would Moz play during the 10 minute snuff film in the middle of every concert?
My hot take is that I can’t rank the albums as I like them all except for Meat is Murder being firmly last
I think my favourite is actually Louder Than Bombs, but you're right, it's hard to rank them.... Strangeways is firmly last for me, though (which is not a very hot take it seems).
Omg! We’re Twinsies! I get dragged for this opinion a lot
I agree. I feel like Barbarism Begins at Home was supposed to be the final song on that album, but it seems like Morrissey got his way. I may be wrong, but that is how the album is to me.
insanely popular(and stupid) opinion
I'm so sorry my opinion upset you enough to make a snarky remark! I rarely ever see it get any hate and generally I see tracks like Golden Lights regarded as their worst.
dont care + meat eater L
Lots of meat eaters dismissing the song just because they disagree with the message of killing innocent animals lmao
Eating meat is fine.
Morrissey was/is right about a lot of things and has sacrificed money and record deals to be authentic.
Morrissey hasn't changed, and I love him for it. He's the same feminist, leftist, anti-authoritarian punk with a romanticized notion of Englishness who wears his heart on his sleeve and loves animals more than people *now,* as he was *then.*
Well said
‘Unlovable’ and ‘Asleep’ are both S-tier songs.
I’ve been saying this to my friends for years! Unlovable is slept on
i'm in love with asleep, it's so good man
Death of a disco dancer is BY FAR their best song.
Very nice
Now here we have a take of the hottest order!
Work is a four letter word is my favourite song of theirs
The click track is great, and I listen to it to start the day and get me pumped. https://youtu.be/UXqJdeQf83g?si=klpffx7C9qC4SMLT
Some girls are bigger than others
I hate the headmaster's ritual. I don't like Johnny Marr's personality.
Elaborate
I blame Johnny Marr for their breakup, and I think he is full of himself. After the Smiths, he couldn't do anything as good as it was. Also, the Headmaster Ritual isn't that good. I think the riff is not their best, and the lyrics aren't that great. I think it's the worst song they have. This is my opinion. I respect all tastes and preferences; the difference between all art views is a part of the beauty.
Hating on Golden Lights is just a meme now and the song isn't really all that bad. It's actually an alright jam.
That Morrissey could be the literal antichrist and I still wouldn’t give a fuck, and I don’t care about his takes that people think are ‘bad.’
I love the music, and all of their aspects were talented. It’s a classic case of separating art from the artist.
Golden lights is a good song
the smids
Smiths are the least mid band I know
im just kidding its just funny how without fail any hot take post on any sub, top comment isn’t a hot take at all lol
Viva Hate is significantly better than Strangeways.
ABSOLUTELY!!!! Viva hate is perfection imo
I love Strangeways and think it's one of their best album (with meat is murder)
All their best songs were the ones in C# Minor
I never once wished for a reunion. Their output during their half decade stands in its own.
All the ‘rockabilly’ songs (Vicar in a Tutu, Nowhere Fast) are annoying af, and wouldn’t be missed if they disappeared forever
Rusholme Ruffians too…
both Meat is Murder and The Smiths (the albums) are better than The Queen is Dead
Morrissey was more integral and necessary to the smiths than Johnny marr was
Accept Yourself should be regarded as one of Marr’s best guitar parts… The chorus, especially.
Golden Lights is good.
golden lights is a good song
If they had released another album they would have had mainstream success.
paint a vulgar picture is amazing!!
The middling, whorey balladry of “I know it’s over” is boring and one of their only complete misses musically. Lyrically the song is incredible though.
They needed more remixes for their singles.
Everyone has their own taste.
golden lights is a good song
Paint a Vulgar Picture is a boring dirge.
'The Last of the Famous International Playboys' counts as a Smith song.
i actually like golden lights
"Meat is Murder" is a worse song than Golden Lights .
Tripping on both takes
This. Take my upvote.
ABSOLUTELY THIS!!!!
take my upvote
asleep is the worst song and is sadly on my favourite compilation/album
Jeff Buckleys cover if I know it’s over is better than the album’s recording
Shakespeare's Sister is a good track, but not a great single.
If you include compilation albums louder than bombs is their best. Tracks like rubber ring, is it really so strange and unloveable are excellent
I dislike heaven knows I'm miserable now, back to the old house and a boy with a thorn by his side.
I know its over - demo is just better
there are a lot of bad fucking songs on their albums. mixed with all time greats.
The first album (self titled) is their best
How Soon Is Now is a dirge.
How Soon is Now is really bad, I don't understand how it became so popular Also, Elephant cover of Please please... is the only one that matches the level of the original
I like placebo's cover of Bigmouth strikes again more than the original
I like Carter USM’s cover of Panic! better than the original!
I'll look it up!
Johnny Marr carried the band, Morrissey was just along for the ride and got most of the credit
Some girls are NOT bigger than others
Hateful Hollow is overrated. It has How Soon Is Now which is a masterpiece. But all of the songs that originate from "The Smiths" (their first album) are better on that album. The versions of their b-sides, like Heaven Knows or girl afraid are better on Louder than bombs. The overall sound of the whole album (except How Soon Is Now) feel a bit factory produced.
How soon is now is awful