THE SMITHS - ALL NIGHT AT THE PANIC DISCO

GET A LOAD OF THIS PICTURE........

MEIN GOTT HERR SON !!!

This picture is noneother than Moz in full action pose. But me thinks it also has a bit of a Gerald Scarfe quality to it, (thats the artist behind Pink Floyd The Wall) and maybe a mad touch of Ralph Steadman to boot, (the illustrator to Hunter S Thompson).

On a good day or performance of choice Moz takes on some very interesting animated movements. True to form of most Smith songs, "What Difference Does It Make?" touches upon some raw nerve endings. WELL, ITS SUPPOSED TO... BLECH....

This quick was taken from Top of the Pops, the staple Sunday night music show on the BBC. This one takes me for a bit of a loop. If I'm not mistakened, (and I very well could be) I think this one is a live version? Mayhaps? Even though its well known that bands that appear on this show lip synch. But I have heard this track numerous times on my well worn out copies of, "Hatfull of Hollow". Maybe I'm just imagining things.

Morrissey was seen as a peoples poet during this stage and an oddity. Described in the press as a warbling tortured choir boy and a man who dances like a penguin. I thought it was nothing more than a lucky miracle to see any footage of him at all in the 80's. This was before the big budget videos, (well.... you know what I mean). He had a sonic hairdoo. He looked like Buddy Holly on steroids. When I think of the Smiths I prefer this street savvy peoples poet version of the band. I was forever crawling through his lyrics, trying to figure out the subtleties, there are many levels to these songs.

The later version of Morrissey takes a little more getting used to. I never expected him to grab such a mass world wide appeal. I suspected that this had already happend with the final Smith album but I was way off. He only got bigger as his solo efforts increased.

This clip captures a more dangerous time. Its authenticity lies within the kids who groove on these sounds. Back then there was no alternative music on the radio. Getting near this sound or near the kids took actual work. You had to get into the clubs and meet them in person, and there was no internet.

It was quite marvelous really.
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Cantu writes for the Fascube - Fashion Culture Beauty Network. 2007

THE SMITHS - WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?

MORRISSEY - STILL ILL - 2006

Its amazing how the Smiths sound have endured. But what is even more amazing is how many bands since then haven't come close to touching their raw nerve endings that they left behind. Many musical acts have skirted around the whole notion of human emotion instead of embracing it. Because of this and their unique sound The Smiths have created a time capsule for themselves in the 80's.

STILL.... I wonder if there is any point in continuing this one with Morrisseys new band? Maybe the old songs should be left behind. I am a bit divided on this one because the construction of these songs are beyond brilliant.

What is even more interesting is that the release, "Louder Than Bombs" is a collection of Singles from the early 80's. By the time that came out it was essentially old. These... then.... are old songs. But good ones.

I would dare to state that these songs are even... sacred. Even the way Morrissey looked at the time they were written really do define a period in time. I am not so sure that this entire feel still stands today. If there is some sensibility that thrives today then I am not sure it rings nearly as strong. The sentiments are alive no doubt. But these songs in particular I feel have their own time and place carved in time...... Honestly

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Ted Cantu is the creator of http://www.beautyloungestore.com he has contributed to several blogs and podcasts such as…..http://911copywriters.podomatic.com. He served as a top rated art director for Interactive Web Marketing groups in Chicago and New York City.

The Smiths - Morrissey - STILL ILL (2006 UK TV)

THE SMITHS - THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG !!!

AMAZING.
That is to say, its amazing that anyone could confuse this with being a LOVE SONG. This is not a romantic love song but this is how some fans of the Smiths categorize it. And that is odd to me.

"there were times when i could have strangled her.. but you see, i would hate anything to happen to her etc." well.. for crikeys sake, listen to the lyrics yourself. Its far from loving.

Its perfect in its own way because it is short. The video has scenes in it from a film called, "The Leather Boys" and it adds a nice backdrop to the overall piece. MOZ once again is carrying out his music themes in a cinematic fashion. There is an element of comedy to this too but you have to look very hard to get it.

Someone in college once told me you could see the characters in the movie scenes to mouth the words of the lyrics in this song..... How high was this guy? This film is from the late 50's and although some of the scenes and sounds overlap they are hardly synchronized.
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cantu fascube 2006

THE SMITHS - GIRLFRIEND IN A COMA

THE SMITHS - STRANGEWAYS HERE WE COME

ITS BEEN A LONG TIME......
When I first heard this it sort of floored me. Well, is that really it?
No. It tormented me and I tried vainly to get out of my mind. It was
really disturbing.

From the album, "Strangeways Here We Come". The title lost complete meaning in America. Strangeways is actually a mental hospital in East Manchester. The video retraces all the familiar steps of Morrissey and The Smiths from their inner sleeve graphics for, "The Queen is Dead". This video shows a bunch of kids who took on Stephen Morrisseys disillusioned persona.

The bike ride thing really sort of confused me when I first saw it. It took the sting out of the song.... somewhat. The streets are cold and barren. The shot of the girl pushing the carriage through the dirty alley and holding a bag of trash is sad and a little reminescent of the line, "... in the cold dark streets that trap them". A line from the song, "Ordinary Boys".

Sometimes in life.. or often, depending on your position in this world you come to the realization that people, (for what ever reason) will choose not to love you back. This thing will jar you from your sleep if you let it.

Course past a certain age this sort of attachment fades. Hormones are a strange thing. Director, Franc Roddam, (Quadrophenia) said that young people are strongly attached to certain people but after a certain age it slips. That is to say that it doesn't last -- at least not at that intensity. This song sort of captures that.

It's a very desperate song -- and album too for that matter. It would prove to be the Smiths last LP. The band was caught up in a rush of stardom and fame and lots of things started to overshadow the band, (Morrisseys popularity, Andy Rourkes Heroin addiction.... more possible tours etc.) New Music - or post punk was becoming the IN THING to a lot of kids at this time. Then the band broke up in a pub from an argument which stemmed from being served "mushy peas" of all things.

These songs stood up and stand out -- even today. I still find this album disturbing for another reason. It was the same locale where child killers Myra Hindley and Ian Brady lived and worked. Some of the victims were Morrisseys age and this left an impression on him for life.

Morrissey said he would never move from this area no matter how famous he got. These streets inspired him to write the songs. He was inspired by these very streets that we see in this video. To finally see them in full color, (and not the pea green overcast like in the Queen is Dead shots) are somewhat alarming.

Its so stark and barren.
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cantu fascube 2006

THE SMITHS - STOP ME IF YOU THINK THAT YOU HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE

Morrissey - Excuse Me While I Sing

This clip is hilarious.... get on with the song already.
Moz takes this all very well.... but the song is ruined by the fans.

Get a grip you lunatics.

I Can't Imagine The World Without Echobelly