The Story Of The Smiths: Greatness and Controversy (Full Documentary) | Amplified
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- čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
- The full story and music of The Smiths. It features rare musical performances, videos, TV appearances, interviews with the band, and expert comment and review from an esteemed panel of experts including John Porter, Stephen Street, Tony Wilson and more.
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The sad thing about this documentary is the lack of how important Andy Rourke was to The Smiths sound. One of the most criminally underrated bass players ever.
His bass parts are indeed unique and integral to their sound. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now is a great example.
@GreenieMcGreen yes. A sad truth. And Joyce was an unbelievable drummer
Totally agree. As I read your comment his bass on This Charming Man kicked in. If Johnny’s guitar is the icing then Andy’s bass & Mike’s drums are the cake. Morrissey’s vocals are the story. It was also sad his death in May went pretty much unnoticed. 😔
No one talks about how groovy the bass is on ‘how soon is now’
Absolutely!!!
The amazing thing is almost 40 years later the Smiths still sound fresh. The music definitely has a timeless quality.
my shits not like that lol czcams.com/video/E_EPP6HQ0dM/video.html
Does it bollocks, it sounded rubbish then and sounds even more rubbish today. Everyone says The Smiths invented indie music and it's completely false. David Bowie, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop were doing it 10 years before and doing it 1000x better.
@@grahamharper8114 OK Boomer!
@@grahamharper8114 💯% facts!!!
@@grahamharper8114 it's whiny, narcissistic baby music.
In 1982, my father took his life. It was a hard time for me as a young teenager. I was drawn to the Smiths and still love them. The Smiths expressed all the emotions I could not during that time. Funny how it takes 40 plus years to realize that. Thank you, Smiths, for helping me during such a bleak time and for helping me deal with my grief. I thank you for helping me and for now enjoying the beautiful music you created.
🙏
9⁹⁹00000
I’m so sorry mate. Glad you hadThe Smiths at least
So sorry to hear of you losing your father in such a tragic way. I lost a member of my family in a similar way.
So glad you were brave enough to share what must have been such a terrible time.
Music has helped me with grief aswell, i believe music is such an important part of all of our lives.
Take Care.🙏
Sorry for you mate. 🙏
Andy Rourke is my favorite! He's such an underrated bassist. Barbarism begins at home bass line for example is a gem.
Good call pal , learning it now. Sounds like a Lynott bass line .
@@silaslangsyd A Bass Line you can dance too, he was key for Marr's sound, even Marr himself said that, you need a good base to carry all the sounds that came from Johnny Marr's guitar.
@@alfredoarevalo725 Too true.
@@silaslangsyd when I first heard that song I instantly began learning the bass. I know it now and it’s incredibly fun to play. How are you coming along on it?
@@IndieBassJA26 Loving it , that's no lie . Very cool to play 😎
It fascinates me that The Smiths were considered in the same breath as charting pop groups. No other group would dare write some of those lyrics, and certainly couldn't chart with anything titled such as "Girlfriend in a Coma." The subject matter itself was so far removed from mainstream pop sensibilities, and even when the band did write a song about love, or loss, or celebration, or whatever other themes were considered acceptable, the approach was so drastically different to the other artists competing for attention, it's really a wonder that The Smiths survived that entire era. A band to be able to break through almost-impregnable walls of clad that stand between the audience and the tastemakers, and still be relevant today, is incredible.
The Smiths are one of the greatest bands of all time.
Pure gold. Thanks for the comment.
I think that’s precisely what makes them still relevant today
The Smiths sucked, easily the most OVERRATED band of the era. One good tune and every other song sounds the same. I'm 57 by the way, that was my era.
@@Johnnywhamo You're not wrong. Many songs followed a pattern. I like Morrissey in small doses.
@@Johnnywhamo exactly
The Smiths were our Beatles . Every single was an event . Something to cherish and make our worried teenage lives exciting in the Thatcher years . I was so lucky to see them 3 times live . Even prouder to have grown up on the same estate as Johnny F*ckin Marr !
Thatcher was a great leader. Are you a self hating leftist?
It really was - especially because a) the photographic covers were a treat, and b) singles often weren't on albums!
There were a few years where they were not only brilliant but prolific with it.
(btw, I'm guessing Biff there is a trolling friend?)
@@stevelaw3886 yes just messing around.
@@biffbifferson5042 who are you mate
Insult to the Beatles.
Knowing that they barely lasted for 5 years, the amount of quality music they've created in such a short time is astonishing...
And for such a short lasted band, they made a huge impact.
Funny how back in the 80s #JohnTaylorDuranDuran said #TheSmiths weren't a musical force hahahaaa
I think Johnny Marr is a guitar genius and his collaboration with Morrisey in the Smiths was astounding.😏
just like the pixies. 5 yrs together
@@masonlowemusicwasn't that funny.
Some bands are just a whisper in time. Blink and you'll miss them. And somehow, the impact is huge. I can't imagine any of them being aware at those young ages, how important they'll be decades later. Think about how quickly Nirvana appeared, and they were gone in a couple of years. Both them and The Smiths look and sound timeless.
My love for this band is so bittersweet. I was addicted to MTV & Duran Duran videos. And then one drunken night my best friend introduced me to Morrissey & The Smith’s! The bleak lyrics sung to the incredible music was life changing. My dear friend died at just 50 years old and she is now the only thing I think of when I hear The Smith’s.
So sorry for your profound loss.
Sorry for your loss, I'm happy that you can celebrate your friendship memories through music. God Bless!
Was it Panic? That's always a good one to sing pissed lol.
@@fongy200 Please Let Me Get What I Want!
@@NapaValleyVegan Fantastic song. I know you lost a friend but it's great how music can give you some memory back. It may be vague but it prevokes emotion, emotion for your friend. Best wishes Tonia.
If The Smiths were great (and I think they were) then Joyce and Rourke were a vital and integral part of that greatness. They weren't "replaceable'" any more than Marr or Morrissey were. The sum of those 4 parts was magic. Peace.
Andys bass playing is most of the smiths sound to me , the guitar from Johnny is playing picked out chords , Andy is playing the song , the smiths are a massive part of my life , Johnny Marr lived 200 metres from where I grew up in the 80s , he often came back to the estate with new 12 inch records for his old mates , Andy used to go out with a girl on our estate, and we saw him about a lot , in my later years I’ve met Andy and Mike and they are both perfect gentlemen , Andy used to come and see my old band INERTIA , it was nice to connect with my old heroes, when Andy and Mike released their own version of events in a DVD documentary, they asked us to play at the launch , it was one of my best days ever , love the smiths
@@valley_robot Very cool. It's always nice to hear that people you admire are actually good people. And I absolutely agree that Andy's bass is playing the song, he carries the chord progressions and the rhythm, he's a monster bass player. I stole a lot of my playing style from him. I owe a good portion of my music career to his influence. Peace.
Many forget that Joyce and Rourke stayed for Bona Drag and Viva Hate; the best Morrissey albums in my opinion. I went to see them when the first Kill Uncle tour kicked off. It was just like Hulmerist.
Session Musicians that was Morrisey Awful Take on Them.
spot on
The Smiths music escorted me through my teenager years. The dark humour, incredible lyrics and Marrs guitar blissfully intertwined to perfection.
A lot of folk, especially at the time, missed the joke. Lyrically, The Smiths, were funny as f...
I agree 100%
@@gart9680 Really! and from a band that wrote "This joke isn't funny anymore." yes it was.
A life that is lovely is the Smiths
The album covers were pure art
They’re iconic! My personal favourite is the shot of Joe Dallesandro. Such a beautiful man!
I agree. I think they said they were pictures Morrisey collected with the same font on every release. They remind me of the great early Blue Note jazz covers.
The Smiths have had a big impact on me. I get chills when i hear other people talk about them
💕💕👍👍
I saw them play in the Hacienda, they were coming up at the time but had a name for themselves in Manchester. Fantastic band and went on to become a great band, superstar great.
I can’t put into words what they mean to me. A flood gate of fond memories.
Love the Smiths. A revelation when I finally "got" them. Some of the most sublime music of the entire rock era, not just the 80's.
Whats to "get"? They are the best English group since the fab four
@@iggypopisgod9 means he captured these blokes, someday we may see them again hopefully
@@iggypopisgod9 They are the best English group since XTC.
Took me til Hatful of Hollow to get The Smiths...love the guitar and the lyrics..
I heard that guitar sound and those chords and that was all I needed to “get” them (as a young, aspiring guitar player).
I was 14 in 1984 and became a fan the first time I heard "What difference does it make?" on the radio back then. Great band.
Just like me!
Same for me but I was 15 I still listen to them
Same here, with "Hand in glove"
What difference does it make. Yes! The Peel session version. It's dirtier. More forceful.
I was 4 in 1984 and was twirling heavily to every song of theirs! Thank you Grams for letting me be me! 🙌🏽🙌🏽💯💯❤❤❤
Andy Rourke's basslines were extremely important to the sound of the band.
The Queen is Dead is an absolute masterpiece.
Yes along with louder than bombs
yes yes yes, I am hearing what you're saying good point, definitely yes....GIVE US YOUR MONEY!!
Only for
THE BOY WITH THE THORN IN HIS SIDE
There aren't many perfect albums; The Queen is Dead is one of them.
I agree
I always hate it when critics say to musicians "Stop complaining about the industry, shut up and give us the music" as if it's not their place to be concerned about their job. Easy to say when you're not contractually obligated, isn't it? The ordinary person isn't interested", how patronizing too. This was a great doco on the band but those guys spoilt it at the end by that guff. That song, Paint A Vulgar Picture, is entirely correct, and maybe it hits uncomfortably close to the bone for them, who are no doubt beholden to the same industry that exploits musicians.
Its sad to see shit hasn't changed. Even after all the tragedy that has happened to people like Syd Barrett, Kurt Cobain and Chris Cornell.
its all kinds of dull and a boring track, and the smiths and morrisey repackaged their stuff endlessly so not even sure what they are trying to say on this track.
I've always considered Paint A Vulgar Picture to be one of their best songs. Nice guitar solos from Marr also.
I remember when How Soon Is Now was released. I had never heard anything like it! The guitar work blew me away. Such unique sounds and arranged in perfect order. One of the best songs of the 80's.
I think How Soon Is Now is 1 of the greatest tracks of all time, it's just an incredible piece of songwriting and recording.
@@kevanbrown7620 👍
@@maxine3587 🆗👍
I had the single, but can't believe it was a b side - I'm certain it was on the record sleeve as the title.
My favorite band. Crazy to see how many people are still checking for them today and how many movies their songs are in.
im 14 and the smiths have been the only band ive listened to for the past year. fucking love them
@@wokeupnew you’ll have some great times then through your teen years. Playing their songs in car rides with friends etc. It’s something about their music that’s hella soothing like makes me feel better through hard times
Hä?
"Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" made me a Smiths fan. My best friend's older sister had the "Singles" album, and he played that song, and that was it for me in high school. I had to get into this band.
I didn't have my Smiths epiphany till 96'(I had known about them prior though). Was dealing with a depression. Went to my friends house. Entered his room and heard this music that injected me like medicine. I was like; "What is this?". "It's The Smiths" he said. He gave me "Louder Than Bombs" and a book about Morrissey primarily and the band. Then there it was..Definite inspirations/influences for the music I make.
what about style influence * looks at beard *
I discovered them through Horrible Histories. Sorry its not that romantic
I discovered them about the same time, when I was 19, severely depressed, Hatful of Hollow came in on tape at the thrift store I worked at. It was like instant relief hearing them. To this day I put on Morrissey when I'm sad. Always makes me feel better.
@@JusticeSkeptik 24 years later and I too put them on when I'm not feeling quite "right" ... Sometimes I just need an hour of The Smiths/ Morrissey, it just helps.
music can touch us in vital ways
Correction: The Smiths didn't break up during the recording of Shelia, Take a Bow in January 1987 as this video suggests. They still hadn't even recorded Strangeways yet. The Smiths broke up in May 1987 when they were recording Work Is A Four-Letter Word and I Keep Mine Hidden as b-sides for Girlfriend in a Coma, which was the first single off Strangeways.
I was a complete metal head when I joined the USMC in 89. I met, who would become my buddy, Mike Bush. He introduced me to the Smiths. That was it. I went and bought every album- tape thay had. I was hooked from the get go!! Thanks Mike, love you brother!
John Underwood I was introduced to their music in 1986 by my cousin Johnny who was living in California and visiting us in NY at the time. He had tapes with songs to learn because he was singing with a band at the time. I went out and immediately bought The Queen is Dead, and it just grew from there. He also introduced me to the Housemartins. Two bands practically nobody in the States were even aware of at the time. So R.I.P. Johnny, and thank you 💙
Metalhead turned Smiths fan? Then you'll love the movie Shoplifters of the World (2021)
@@babaroga73 Most of metal is boring and Smiths is boring. Makes sense.
@@marguskiis7711 ugro-finnish languages are weird and Aki Kaurismaki is not funny but boring.
@@babaroga73 agree 100%
The smiths is a unique band there will never be another band like them…..
Agree 👍
Never will there be a band like them again . I was lucky enough to see them live and meet them .
Lucky lucky you. I got heavily into them into them in 1986. Bought all their albums in the space of a month and played them to death. They split up a few months later. I was devastated. I think I’m just about over it. 😏
you got THAT right
Thankfully there won’t be a band like them... unless Death Cab For Cutie or any other whiny 2 album soiboy band comes along. There will never be another band as influential and diverse as The Cure though.
@@kylekuehne6964 the smiths are infinitely more influential than the cure bud
@@tommy_12z22Not to mention infinitely better.
During the 1980's i was mainly listening to Punk & Metal but my high school crush was a Smiths fan so i started listening to them impress her. The Smiths were my gateway to discovering Joy Division, The Cure, Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Stone Roses, Lush, Slowdive, etc...
I love Joy Division!
@Saint Martins. And there it is! They really were a gateway into some incredible music that I suppose we were fortunate enough to hear and see through the 80s because kids nowadays are still waiting on their ‘80s’. Such a special time both musically and politically. Thatcher, the miners strike, AIDS, Nelson Mandela, I could go on and on. Great times but very dismal times at times. We had a choice of causes to March to and music to give us the sound track to it all. Stay safe.
@@headron66 I'm from Aberdeen, is it any wonder we get nostalgic? The city was booming after the discovery of North Sea oil, the football team under Alex Ferguson was challenging for European honours and the soundtrack to it all was amazing. New Order and The Smiths being the bands of choice. Substituted by Stone Roses and Happy Mondays in 89. The only marching was done by the soccer casuals lol
@@MrJoj1977 Awe your from the granite city that built the Houses of Parliament, Waterloo bridge etc. I’ve been many times. I’m from Stirling, Bannockburn actually, steeped in history here. Yes looking back the music was the soundtrack to our lives. My daughter has found the music through my record collection a bit like me finding my dads 50s music collection. I always wished I was born when rock and roll hit the tv for the first time. Now I appreciate the times and music of the eighties, it was my time. Stay safe pal👍❤️
Greatest band ever- from🇨🇦and in 1987 a girl friend of mine put on strange ways and “Last night” came on and I couldn’t believe what I had just heard - it has haunted and stayed with me for over 30 years. Thousands of hours have been spent listening to Morrissey and The Smiths since that day. 🔥
Excellent comment. I definitely share a similar experience and your sentiment.
Never understand the adoration. Very boring band, especially musically. I like Moz and Marr solo stuff btw.
@@marguskiis7711 you have bad taste in music
I remember exactly where I was when I heard that album the first time, and that song.
If you're just a starter...and you're not sure if you want to get into this band, listen to "Louder Than Bombs"......it's a great starter album.
I loved the rough sound of the first LP. No, it wasn't their most musically accomplished piece but it had this crazy, wild energy to it. Even the slow tracks.
I first heard of The Smiths from their first John Peel session in May 1983, then two months later through a connection, I was hired by Rough Trade to drive three of their people from London up to Manchester for a gig at The Hacienda. Seems like a lifetime ago.
I can settle for the short period of time that their light shined so bright versus it not ever having existed. Period. It was intense for the band as it was for those of us that had our lives changed because of it.
Yeah its great that it was there at all. Can't really understand the last bit of your comment
@@adonaiyah2196 I edited my response.
I meant to say that many of OUR lives were changed because of the existence of The Smiths.
yes but that light never goes out
@@antiksankarmajumder2498 you got to it first!
Hello Monica, I recommend a song called 'Where I Come From' By Robert Nix
Morrisey was a great combo of Bryan Ferry and Jim Morrison. And yes. Johnny Marr was amazing. The more time that goes by, the better they sound.
That is actually quite sharpe but you missed he had a dash of skeeter davis
I was introduced to The Smiths at a time when I didn't think pop music really meant that much. I was mostly into prog rock and metal, with a few exceptions, notably XTC, The Cure and a few others, but The Smiths caught my ear and I was one of the first in my group of long haired friends, to fight Morrissey's corner as a singer and Marr as a guitarist. A legendary classic British group who will never be forgotten.
Everything you just said is exactly my experience. My record collection was Metallica, Megadeth, Iron Maiden etc but Smiths and Cure albums took equal pride of place much to my fellow metal heads amusement. Eventually they came around to my way of thinking 😉
Yes..climbed on buffalo ny roof to hear canadian radio..USA kinda snuffed them
@@margorowe9052 Yeah I can't imagine Morrisey goin down too well in the U.S.
I don’t care what anyone says. The first Smiths album is their best and my all time favorite.
Grew up listening to the smiths, still listening to this day, one of Britain's best.
Johnny Marr is such a bad ass guitar player. Song writer. Sorta unsung.
And singer too. He is amazing.
His solo career is rubbish
@@ethanc1719 I thought electronica with Bernard from New Order was a let down too.
@@theculturedthug6609 agreed
And a proper top geezer 👍
The Smith's a breed of their very own... Absolutely love them.
I was a metal head in 1990 and I had a crush on a girl who listened to The Smiths. I can damn near recite every single smiths song lyrics wise word for word. Thanks Jessica where ever you are for turning me on to the smiths and Morrissey. My now wife thought I was (afunny guy) cause I'd sing these words w/ attitude. 😆
Just saying, thats not what you would typically do in any Texas Town in the 90`s
@@stuartewoldt1513 You learned a new life skill from her.
I was in the shower at my brothers apartment in New York City when I pressed play on the bathroom CD player without knowing what was in there. Out came “This Charming Man” and I was immediately a major Smiths fan.
😂
How soon is now was my anthem for 1984 and only 20 years old, how lucky us oldies had it. One of my top ten favourite songs of all time.
fun story: In HS my older brother (old enough to have a license) would us all to parties an blast music. One time he was driving a couple of lineman from our High School football team (HUGE GUYS for those who dont know American Football) when How Soon is Now came on. After the hearing the 1st 7 words of the song one guy belts out "I AM THE SUN????!!! I AM THE AIR!?!?! WHAT KIND OF HIPPY BULL$#!& IS THIS!!???""
😂🤣😂 Good ole homophones!!
To get psyched for my day (dumbass kid in the '80's), i would put in the cassette and blast How Soon is Now in the morning. Sometimes I danced, naked! Johnny Marr guitar would scrape the shit off my soul, and make me new.
(therefore, I thought nakedness was appropriate.)
"Oldies"? I'm 45 and don't consider myself old! Also, almost all of the 1980s was absolute shit.
I agree. I was 20 in 1984. I connected with them immediately. About to retired and still listening to them.
I feel so sad that I’ll never be able to see them live, their songs are magical and their stage presence is so much better than any other band’s. The way that the songs speak to people will continue for decades to come
I saw them during The Queen is Dead tour. Morrissey writhed around on the stage and forgot there was an audience during 'I Know It's Over.' He had a sudden realisation that he was meant to be performing, but he was actually crying during the song. He sat up at the end of the song, seemed to become aware of the audience, and then wiped his tears away. When I looked around at the audience, everyone was completely mesmerised by him. I will never forget that and when I listen to that song nowadays, I can still see him crying.
The guitar on How Soon is Now absolutely blew my head off.
Instant fan! 51 now, first heard them in high school.
I was late to the smiths. Only because of a podcast i listen too (xfm) played a few of their tracks and now I'm hooked, obsessed even. Nothing I love more than to drive my car on a long trip while listening to the smiths
- it was 2000 when a friend introduced me to the band...i was hooked. Then got hooked on Morrissey as a solo artist. Oy! ...i still love the band today..and Morrissey still has me mesmerized..it is f#%kin' crazy....😎 but i love it!
I’ve been listening to them for 40 years and I never get tired of it
I loved the Smiths music. Not because I related to the music, but it changed the way I felt about those who were different from me.
The Smiths still sound dangerous. Beautiful timeless music!
I never, ever get tired of their stuff. So sad Johnny Marr and he let stuff drive a wedge. They worked so well together in their prime.
Mesmerizing song, 'What difference does it make'. The opening bar is so distinctive. Gives me goosebumps. Still one of my favorite bands of all time and I love stuff from The Eagles to AC/DC.
You’re right. You mentioned two of my favorite bands besides The Smiths. I’m the same way. I like the heaviest of metal but dig the Carpenters too, you know? People can like a wide variety of music. Some people seem to think that’s impossible.
Learned a lot, thank you.
I was pretty sad they didn’t talk about Andy more tho.
He away an incredible bassist. And as they point out briefly, often at the heart of the song.
Also ‘Barbarism Begins At Home’ is my favorite of their songs and deserved some love
Yes. They skimmed over Andy and Mike!
As a fan of The Smiths and as a guitar player and musician, Johnny Marr created a guitar sound that effects music till this day. Check his work out with The The, he dropped amazing guitar their too! Shout out to all in The Smiths, I expect you to one day be up for a vote for the Rock n Roll of Fame. Who cares about that but I do expect that even that academy is gonna nod their heads toThe Smiths.
Johnny Marr is AT LEAST the equal of Peter Buck. (probably better)
It’s the Hall that’s a joke really for not already having The Smiths inducted.
@@dukeoni agree, a few years back I went to Hall and did a tour , went to this theatre part where they showed a film of different decades of music and how the different genres changed the landscape of music and as soon as the 80's came up, they mentioned The Smiths style and the new wave genre, so i thought since the Hall knows how important The Smiths were. Why aren't The Smiths in the Hall of Fame?? They need to be inducted definitely
I didn't get into the Smiths til' early 90's...but once I got it....Their music, the feel, the geniusness of them....WOW!!!....They are another kind of Beatles...Since 2020...my eldest Daughter asked me once..." What other kind of music can you prefer me to??...I wrote a list of bands I think She would like...one of them being the Smiths,...She picked ONLY the Smiths off my list and foundit to be one of my HAPPIEST days since!!!....
who else was on list?
smart girl, good taste
The Smith's will always be my favorite band in the 80's. I lost count at the amount of time I saw them and I was so devastated when they broke up and couldn't believe it because they were such an important band. To this day they are still my favorite and we should have had way more albums but I'm happy we got as many as we did.
The Smiths are the union of literature and music.
Johnny Marr wrote the music, Morrisey was given the creations to add his lyrics, his expression. Marr built the house Morrisey was able to create. Incredible symbiotic relationship.
The interplay between Marr's guitar with the moving bass lines from Andy Rourke, made such dynamic sounds. If I told someone that there was a keyboard or synth on Charming Man, many would believe me, because it sounds so lush actually only includes bass, drums and guitar.
I discovered The Smiths a few years after they split up as I was too young at the time. They remain my all time favourite band, I still listen to them almost every day and it never gets old or boring. Johnny's guitars are magical and Morrissey's lyrics sublime. Andy's bass playing in criminally underrated as is Mike's drums. A truly unique band brought together at a never to be repeated moment in time to produce some of the greatest music ever recorded.
Not saying Marr's guitar work on 'This Charming Man' isn't brilliant because it is but everything about the song musically is perfect. The drum and bass work is as good as Marr's guitar.
I was a Thrasher ,Punk, metal kid in the 80s , I was influenced in the early 90's by a friend at work to listen to Morrissey, when I discovered how good he was I then went back and listened to all the Smith' s Music which I must say was quite refreshing . I actually went to a Morrissey show in Detroit in 92 or 93 which was Kool. Haven't heard this music in decades....
Growing up in L.A. in the 80’s I got to see the Smiths twice - once at the Forum and the other which was their best show at the Universal Amphitheater which is an outdoor venue. I feel lucky to have lived in L.A. at that time because if a British band was any good, they had to play in L.A. and had KROQ as the radio station to play their music. The cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, Siouxsie, New Order………damn what a great time for music.
And I am still a fan - seeing Johnny Marr open for The Killers in Pittsburgh in October. Johnny is still a legendary guitar player.
Of all the music I've ever listened to, these guys will always be my #1. It's real experience translated into music. I think this is why they just touch a certain place in all generations' hearts. It's timeless. Lyrics are so funny and outrageous. Marr's musicality is central. Rourke is his perfect sidekick. Joyce does his thing. Their music showed range, depth, beauty and truth. Please tell me who beats this?
I don't care what the armchair critics say, Strangeways Here We Come is the Smiths most accomplished album as far as I'm concerned and Paint A Vulgar Picture is a great track although it's no big surprise record industry insiders might think otherwise
yes! i absolutely agree. ‘Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loves Me’ is one of their greatest songs. one of the best songs of the 80s and beyond.
the whole album is full of incredible songs. i couldn’t believe it when they broke up. truly devastating.
@@msbadkittie some critics no doubt think it's over-produced but from the intro of Last Night I dreamt to the final note it's one of the all time greats
yeah but how often are they right anyways?!
The best album they ever did
Agreed
THIS CHARMING MAN - my fav song and fav quote!
In this song, a male protagonist, who has punctured his bicycle tire on a desolate hillside, is approached by a "charming man" in a "charming car." After a brief hesitation, the protagonist climbs into the car with the man, who flirts with his passenger and invites him out later that evening. The protagonist rejects the man's offer, because he hasn't "got a stitch to wear." Front man, Morrissey, told Undress in 1984 that this latter line was written from personal experience: "For years and years I never had a job, or any money. Consequently I never had any clothes whatsoever. I found that on those very rare occasions when I did get invited anywhere I would constantly sit down and say, 'Good heavens, I couldn't possibly go to this place tonight because I don't have any clothes, I don't have any shoes.' So I'd miss out on all those foul parties. It was really quite a blessing in disguise."
I've been surprised that we're not hearing The Queen Is Dead on the radio as of late.
I first can across The Smiths when I was 15 (2016), because How Soon is Now was used in ‘The Wedding Singer’. I have been absolutely enthralled by them ever since. Their music spoke to me in a way that no other artists had before.
Meat is Murder best album. I was 15 when I went everywhere trying to find that album after seeing “how soon is now” on MTV in 1997
Let's see, I'm pushing 40 and my first experience with The Smiths was when I was 17-18. My boyfriend was 6 years older and played Girlfriend in a Coma... I was immediately intrigued
Simply the greatest band ever. Quite a few great ones but they are a cut above.
One of the best bands. Depends on your taste of music. I love The Smiths, and they will be the top 5 for me.
Favourite band ❤️
The 1980's was the last decade that rock and roll was king. The Smiths were a very cool part of it.
90s had nirvana and oasis at the top
The 90s has that privelege& actually right up to the early 00s... Proper bands were all over the place in the early 2000s
Definitely the 90’s
Wrong. Like being hit in the head by a hammer.
Still sad to this day that I never got to see The Smiths live. I'm 50 and been a fan most of my life and have met all the members over the years and seen Morrissey and Marr umpteen times. I always hoped that they woudl regroup and do a tour for us oldies that just missed them - but alas with Andys passing in May - will never happen now. RIP Andy. The best band that has ever been.
The background of the interviewee's is just as creative as the music they're talking about.
One guy has people wandering back and fourth behind him, another is in front of ProTools, while another guy looks like he's chosen his favourite grandmother's living room.
Ah of course the synth bashers raise their heads again in this documentary. Hate how so many fans go on as if any other 80s pop was complete crap which simply isn't true. There was nothing 'stale' about the music scene of the early-mid 1980s when The Smiths were active. Yes this band were important and influential but so were the likes of Depeche Mode, New Order, Tears for Fears, Prince, Blondie, Gary Numan- even ultra mainstream bands like Duran Duran made some bloody decent music. Love The Smiths' sound but honestly, listening to some fans I feel like a sinner for daring to actually enjoy these other bands too.
Mate dragged me kicking and screaming to Red Wedge Tour, Royal Court. Billy Bragg (ok), John Cooper Clarke (hilarious), New Order (feet tapping), The Fall (now on my feet) and then …. on they marched to Prokofiev with a delicate ‘Hello’ in the darkness and that was that …. totally addicted for the rest of my life. Astonishing live and singularly the most consistent part of my music and poetry intake.
Being a Smiths’ fan during the early 80’s was a life style, and I was a proud one of them. I loved Morrissey, still do, he changed my life, he changed my musical taste. I remember when I listened “Hand in Glove” for the first time. My English wasn’t good at the time, I didn’t know what Morrissey was singing about, but o had the feelings that I wasn’t alone anymore.
😭😭😭💕💕💐💐
You can tell John Porter really didn't like Morrissey, whereas Stephen Street loved him.
I just got to say that there is not one song that I don't hold as a favorite. They all have a special memory and mood that gets recalled every time I hear them.
I love the Smiths. They're music is so Universal! and sounds fresh on the radio today compared to new releases!
A massive smiths fan at 14, they helped me through my depression and their genius will stay with me the rest of my life
Where are we going? We're going mad. Love it!
Fucking legend!
I didn't appreciate them so much in the 1980's in England, but when I moved to the States I was surprised how many people were fans, which sparked my interest in them. Finally got to see Morrissey live in 2013, sadly he only sang 2 Smiths songs, but he was good regardless.
Morrissey's voice will never die. I love it when people try to analyze art. Who the hell are u? Lol
Artists, and commentary on art (critics) are two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other. It is natural. If nothing were ever written about music...... you would only have 5 recordings, you would only listen to musicians in your village, and you would never find all the others that make life a rich and interesting experience.
Hi I recommend taking a listen to a song called 'Where I Come From' By Robert Nix
I hate it when people call something art. Pretentiousness and cries of “art, art what sublime art” are eternally conjoined and they should be.
Love the Smiths. Will always be one of the greatest bands ever. Love Morrissey more..... A pure lyricist..
In 1982 I was a little bit glum, firstly it was because I was leaving primary school and starting at a locally notorious secondary modern school for boys, secondly my favourite band The Jam had spit up, by my second year at school, it was no better, the schools reputation wasn't unjustified, it was a hellish place, with psychotic teachers and a fair few psychotic pupils, the music scene wasn't much better in 1983, most of the boys in school were into "break dancing" & "body popping" along with the awful music that accompanied it....Then one boring late Thursday afternoon, my art teacher Miss Power asked the class "are you all watching Steven on top of the pops tonight?"...."Who's Steven?" several of us asked in unison, Steven Morrissey, she answered, Steven was a former pupil of our school and was making his first appearance on TOTP's that very evening, she explained.... With my interest piqued, I watched that evening and was very pleasantly surprised, The Jam were dead, long live The Smiths, I've been a fan ever since that day in 1983, and with the added kudos of having a former pupil from MY school leading the way!...Yes I was a pupil at the infamous St Mary's RC secondary modern for boys in Stretford Manchester, I was even more thrilled a couple of years later after the release of Meat is Murder, especially the first track on side 1.... Morrissey wasn't exaggerating about the place, my headmaster wasn't as amused as I was about that particular song!!! 😂
Your account adds a lot of meaning to The Headmaster Ritual. I’m glad you managed to make it out of that hole in the Earth.
Thanks for the memories. Great story
How Soon is Now changed my life. I went into recording arts and indie forever. When I went to Underground Rock Garden and sat where they played, it was beyond anything I can describe in 1990. It sealed my future. I also lost my virginity to this song after about a year of it playing each weekend in his room. It worked:), highly recommended.
RiP Andy - superb bass player.
Chills every time I hear this magical song. Over 3 decades, still powerful.
great video.
Thanks ❣️
No mention of the greatest love song ever written - There is a light (and it never goes out)
The Smiths were one of the most underrated bands ever, all 4 just made the music and band perfectly suited for them, but while Marr was one of the best guitarists ever Morrissey is the pinnacle of musical genius !
Underrated. Not in England.
Never ever underrated. They were and are hailed as being one of the most influential bands of the 80s . And rightly so.
Not underrated in Britain, they are considered timeless and rock royalty. Can’t speak for the rest of the world but yes definitely underrated in the US.
Some of the most hilariously ironic lyrics set to the most wonderful music of all time.
I was in the military in Texas when I bought my first cassette with a Parental Advisory label, having had the choice of that or a censored version. It was "The Queen is Dead". And I still listen to the Smiths regularly. This love can never die. 💖😭😅
Great doco. They were the defining soundtrack for my time in LA '86, '87, '88, how I do miss those years.
Same here - saw them in 86 at the Universal Amphitheater in Irvine - best show ever. KROQ was my favorite station. The best thing about those days is any British band that was good played live in LA - Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, Siouxsie, Mighty Lemon Drops.
Simply the best thing to have happened to the British music scene. The birth of the Manchester dominance. Lyrical genius plus guitar playing wizard paired up with supremely talented bass and drummer. How could they fail ? Pleasure to have been in my early youth when they burst on the scene and introduced me to the wonderful world of music 😎👍
"it's insane to step out of gender or sexuality". How times have changed.
Good opening with that clip from The Southbank Show - I remember watching it when it first aired.
I truly enjoyed this video! I love the smiths, and hand in glove was my first kinda indie music contact. It lead to so much more. I was a few years behind post punks as I didn't really start buying music til 86, but cable hit my town in 1980, and I would stay up all night listening to music on it, watching this new channel MTV, and the public access channel, due to night terrors. My tastes were opened to so much watching those late night videos, 120 minutes later. It was wonderful.
Still so glad I had the 'Hatful of Hollow' tape years before 'The Smiths' CD. Depends what you're into production wise but for me Hatful is far superior.
Les C Gull Hatful of Hollow is my favourite Smiths disc as well.
@@teresathomley3703 I remember hearing 'The Smiths' years after and I was just aghast at how bland it sounded in comparison. Then again everyone who found 'The Smiths' first seems to begrudgingly cling onto it. Hatful is just so much more visceral, raw and immediate.
@@notmyrealname9059 Indeed. Most of the songs are John Peel sessions- so there's more of a live atmosphere. Like "What Difference Does it Make?" on Hatful, to me, is so much better than the version on the first album. Hatful is tops in my book for sure.👍
@@teresathomley3703 Yeah looking back it's The Peel Sessions that really shine for me - What Difference, Still Ill, Reel around the Fountain and Back to the Old House. Time to see if there's an official Peel Sessions on Amazon I think. Thanks!
Andy and Mike were like Steve and Paul from The Sex Pistols. They were integral to the band and contributed a lot but they get overlooked in favor of the more popular members
Steve was the Pistols guitarist, not part of the rhythm section. The bassist was Glen Matlock, then he was replaced by useless Sid Vicious.
@@douglasfreeman3229 yeah. My point was that Sid and Johnny got all the attention while the others got next to none. Just like how Morrissey and Marr get all the attention
Thanks for posting, good times :)
What happened to mentioning the extraordinary double album Louder Than Bombs? The songs on that album show how the Smiths were NOT being pulled apart, they could have really kept going into the future (with epic songs like London).
Ultimately The Smiths were on the brink when suddenly ... Johnny pulled the plug, just when everything was all set for them as a group and that's why Morrissey was such an instant smash as solo, he inherited all that great Smiths momentum, especially in America.... sigh 😔😔😔
Interesting argument, but , erm, ARGUABLE... Johhny Marr 'pulled the plug' because THE OTHER ONES had become impossible to work with... (By that time, Johnny was basically MANAGING the band and all its members. That WASN'T his job, he's a guitarist...) All CREDIT to the problematical Morrissey, but he became impossible to work with... Nobody who loves the band would begrudge ANY of its members the success that followed the imploding of the band, but that CERTAINLY wasn't Johnny Marr's fault... (Morrissey was, and indeed continues to be, a person who remains controversial in terms of the opinions of others...) Marr not so much? (NOBODY has a bad word to say about Johnny Marr...) To finish, Johnny Marr was in a band and he did his best. Morrissey however, was ALL ABOUT Morrissey and continues to be. I quote the judge who adjudicated in favour of Mike Joyce : (Morrisey is) "Devious, truculent and unreliable..." (Hard to argue with that...) xx SF
Er, louder than bombs is a compilation album
@@calebhightower6676 Of all the crap poppy stuff to capture a wider audience at the end of the scene. . I bought it, but rarely played it.
Totally!
@@keithbentley6081 guess you weren’t a fan of new wave music then lol. Be careful to not fall in the “this music is crap because I don’t like it” trap though, because The Smiths are insanely talented. I get if you don’t like them, but you have to admit on tracks like how soon is now, that joke isn’t funny anymore, and even this charming man, the guitar work is superb, if not biblical. Not to mention the bass work. Barbarism begins at home is a super difficult piece to play, especially for the whole track. I get not liking Morrisey’s voice, and their songs and what not, and I’ll admit (even as a Smiths fan myself) the fan base can be a bit annoying lol, but they’re definitely popular for a reason. I suggest you hang loose and break out that record again, because there are some fantastic tracks on it
It was it's own genre. Classic. This bands story is as entertaining as the music. Hilarious but too short a run.