And behind door number 22... a guide to some music of the more traditional kind
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And behind door number nine... some dazzling musical delights
The complete arts guide, for week 9
The Smiths were one of the defining bands of the 80s, and they had an innate ability to speak for the common man. Recording during Thatcher’s reign, their music reflected the fractured state of the nation during one of the most socially divisive administrations Britain has ever seen. The Queen is Dead, released in June 1986, hit number 2 in the UK charts and features an eclectic mix of upbeat humour and social satire, and almost desolate depictions of Morrissey’s own life experiences.
The album begins with the fast-paced track, 'The Queen is Dead'. The Smiths managed to create sounds that were so unlike any other band of the time, getting away from the synth-laden pop which defined so much other music of the 80s. The title track is no exception. Influenced by The Byrds and Neil Young, guitarist Johnny Marr mixed major rock chords with minor, jazzy sounding embellishments, to which Morrissey wrote lyrics describing Britain at the time. The opening song is a pumping, often discordant track that instantly grabs your attention, as Morrissey comments that “some 9-year old tough peddles drugs”, ending with the somewhat philosophical line, “life is very long, when you’re lonely”.
'Frankly, Mr Shankly' moves the album into the more light hearted regions of social satire, as it tells the story of a character telling his boss precisely where to stick it. This is one of the reasons The Smiths became so popular – their music was easy to identify with. Morrissey sings of a job that “pays my way but it corrodes my soul” – we’ve all been there, right? This optimistic track is bound to make you laugh even if you’re having the worst day in the world working at a job you hate. Just imagine telling your manager that they’re a “flatulent pain in the arse”.
After two slower, more subdued songs, 'I Know it’s Over', and 'Never had No One Ever', the album continues with 'Cemetery Gates', a track that on the surface is a cheerful song that you might find yourself listening to on a sunny summer afternoon, with relaxed guitar melody and a great hook. However, the music is itself contrasted with the opening lyric, “A dreaded sunny day”, the words wonderfully discordant with the tone of the song.
'Vicar in a Tutu' and 'Bigmouth Strikes Again' once again display the characteristic dry humour of the band – 'Bigmouth Strikes Again' opens with “Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking when I said I’d like to smash every tooth in your head”. However, the gem of this album is in 'There is a Light That Never Goes Out'. This song focuses on Morrissey’s feelings of having the street and neighbourhood where he grew up completely demolished and replaced with looming tower blocks. “Oh please don’t drop me home, because it’s not my home, it’s their home and I’m welcome no more.” Morrissey’s forlorn lyrics coupled with Marr’s appealing guitar sound struck a chord with many of their fans and became one of their most anticipated songs to hear live, whipping the crowd into a frenzy as everyone bellowed out the words.
The Queen is Dead is one of the most iconic albums of the 80s, as The Smiths reached millions of people with their great guitar sound, poppy hooks and lyrics which spoke of ordinary life. They’ve inspired bands such as Oasis, Radiohead, and more recently Modest Mouse. Morrissey’s lyrics combined with Marr’s music created a sound that spoke to, and for. thousands. For this reason, The Smiths are and will remain one of the most influential bands of the 20th century.
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