My Leg Ends of Pop Music – Part Twenty – Morrisey/Smiths
After 60 proper legends of pop (OK, you may have thought that some were a bit iffy), it is now time for my Top 20 Leg Ends of pop. These are those groups or artists that have had hits and sold well, but by no means a favourite of mine.
I do know that some of you will really like these, as there is no accounting for taste.
Now, SB does not like the use of profanity in the articles (comments fine, not articles), therefore if I say, for example, “Clut” I mean that well known GP word which is a sign of endearment, and if I say the word “Fluff” it is a well know word beginning with F, four letters, last letter a K, 2nd letter a U and just in case there is doubt, the 3rd letter is a C. The use of the word “Sausage” means that four letter word for when evacuating the bowels.
H/T to Brett of this parish, who very kindly sent me his play list of dire, dreadful, suicidal and basically fluffing songs generally done by right Cluts which are all pretty Sausage.
This week, for the 3 or 4 people that actually like this sort of sausage, I give you the Smiths and Morrisey. They release the most suicidal of dirges known to man. They have never produced a happy song as far as I know. To this day, apart from the featured track, for which the sound is good, but the lyrics the usual dirge, I have never listened to any complete song they have done, it is always turn the radio station over. They are a bunch of cluts as well, forever in-fighting and going to court. Morrisey can be sound on some political issues, but in general, a right proper clut.
The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. They comprised the singer Morrissey, the guitarist Johnny Marr, the bassist Andy Rourke and the drummer Mike Joyce. They are regarded as one of the most important acts to emerge from the 1980s British independent music scene. (Author note: Note by me of course)
The Smiths signed to the independent label Rough Trade Records in 1983 and released their first album, The Smiths, in 1984. They based their songs on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Marr. Their focus on a guitar, bass, and drum sound and a fusion of 1960s rock and post-punk was a rejection of the synth-pop sound that was predominant at the time. Several Smiths singles reached the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart, and all their studio albums reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart , including the number-one album Meat Is Murder (1985). They achieved mainstream success in Europe with The Queen Is Dead (1986) and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987), both of which entered the top 20 of the European Albums Chart
Internal tensions led to the Smiths’ breakup in 1987, followed by public lawsuits over royalties. Since the band’s dissolution, the members have refused offers to reunite and have all separately stated that the band is finished and will never reunite.
Sadly, Morrisey continues to release suicidal dirge like old sausage.
Despite the Smiths’ chart success, Marr left the group in August 1987 because of a strained relationship with Morrissey. Failing to find a replacement, the Smiths disbanded by the time of the release of their final studio album, Strangeways, Here We Come, in September that year. Strangeways, Here We Come climbed to number two in the UK and became the band’s highest-charting release in the United States when it reached number 55 on the Billboard 200. In early 1992 WEA acquired the entire back catalogue of the Smiths and produced two compilations – Best… I and …Best II – the first of which went to the top of the UK Albums Chart. WEA released two further singles compilations in 1995 and 2001, with a further compilation, The Sound of The Smiths, released in November 2008.
Discography
It started off with this dirge: The Smiths – Hand In Glove (Live) – Utter sausage.
The Smiths – This Charming Man (Live) – Utter sausage.
The Smiths – What Difference Does It Make (Live 1984) – Utter sausage.
The Smiths – Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now (Live on Top of The Pops ’84) – I think the first “song” I remember from them. At the time I thought what a load of old sausage. Still is.
The Smiths – William, It Was Really Nothing (Live on Top of The Pops ’84) – Utter sausage.
The Smiths, 06, The Boy With The Thorn In His Side, – Sounds the same as all the rest. – Utter sausage.
I like what I consider to be the best track as the featured track, and finish on one I also like. Sadly, apart from the featured track which is barely listenable to, I leave you with this, but only because of the funny scene in Gavin and Stacey:
Morrissey – There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (live in Manchester) 2005 [HD] – Utter sausage.
I am pleased to say I never come across a similar act. Please do not prove me wrong.
Singalong, enjoy and be happy! (Just kidding)
Featured image: “Morrissey” by Man Alive! is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .
© Phil the ex test manager 2023
