Your all time top 10 Morrissey and Smiths songs

Great selection. I thought I was the only one to love that song. The weirder ones like 'Dykes,' 'Lifeguard,' 'Spring-heeled' and 'Mama' very much appeal to me.

I love LSGD too! It's just so f***ing funny! And dark! I love the way he's so understated about the whole thing.
 
"- Sing Your Life
(Suddenly I don't feel so confident in my choices, yet I don't want to remove any... What to do?)"


I love 'Sing Your Life' too! Not to get into the needless band (or more specifically, Jesse Tobias)-bashing but I did love the band he had then.

What is this Jesse hate??? I keep seeing it pop up but have no idea what it's about!
 
My least favorite - I can only do 5:
Slum Mums – I feel like I should like it, it’s Morrissey after all, but just can’t get into it.
Sweetie Pie – the lyrics are OK but the special effects grate on my ears
Trash – sorry Morrissey, but I find this song pretty repetitive and one note
Do your best and don’t worry – a little anemic
Tony the Pony – a little TOO cheesy
 
...I like the line about misguided trousers/mascara/Fender guitar in 'Get Off The Stage'.

Have never even heard of 'Papa Jack, never mind actually heard the song.

Songs I dislike:

1. Dagenham Dave: Apart from "He'd love to touch, he's afraid that he might self-combust" (and the fact he looks good in the video.) He can just do so much better!

2. Slum Mums

3. Roy's Keen (keener window cleaner...)

4. I Don't Owe You Anything.

They are the ones I could think of off the top of my head, anyway.
 
A lot of people think Jesse is a talentless guitarist and poor songwriter. I'm one of them. I don't understand why he's cherry-picked such a mediocre musician. The last two songs on YOR are the two that are below the standards of the rest of the record and no surprises for guessing who wrote them.

I do agree 'I Don't Owe You Anything' is dreary, as is the 'Immerse the Baby's Head' song.
 
A lot of people think Jesse is a talentless guitarist and poor songwriter. I'm one of them. I don't understand why he's cherry-picked such a mediocre musician. The last two songs on YOR are the two that are below the standards of the rest of the record and no surprises for guessing who wrote them.

I do agree 'I Don't Owe You Anything' is dreary, as is the 'Immerse the Baby's Head' song.

Well I don't really know anything about his guitar skills so would be talking rubbish if I tried to have an opinion on it, but if that's the case then they are the weakest ones...
Other peoples bitching about Jesse personally and the "He's not going anywhere, he's Mozza's lover" comments are pathetic and pointless though.

It is dreary and a bit weird but I really like "This Night Has Opened My Eyes".
 
Well I don't really know anything about his guitar skills so would be talking rubbish if I tried to have an opinion on it, but if that's the case then they are the weakest ones...
Other peoples bitching about Jesse personally and the "He's not going anywhere, he's Mozza's lover" comments are pathetic and pointless though.

It is dreary and a bit weird but I really like "This Night Has Opened My Eyes".

I have no musical ear with which to judge Jesse.

As for This Night Has Opened My Eyes - Beautiful and tragic lyrics, Morrissey's most obvious and filled out homage to "A Taste of Honey." I love the song.
 
The Smiths
There is a light...
Still Ill
I know it's over
Shoplifters...
Please, please, please...
Heaven knows...
I won't share you
Back to the old house
Meat is murder
Rubber Ring

Morrissey
The Never-Played Symphonies
Seasick...
Life is a Pigsty
Everyday is like sunday
Now my heart is full
Late night, Maudlin Street
Jack The Ripper - Who Put The M in Manchester?
Trouble Loves Me
Come back to Camden
Such a little thing...

This was terribly hard...
 
...I like the line about misguided trousers/mascara/Fender guitar in 'Get Off The Stage'.

Have never even heard of 'Papa Jack, never mind actually heard the song.

Songs I dislike:

1. Dagenham Dave: Apart from "He'd love to touch, he's afraid that he might self-combust" (and the fact he looks good in the video.) He can just do so much better!

The line about misguided trousers and mascara is all the more poignant for having watched the 'I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris' video.

Dagenham Dave is indeed a bit much. However, if he ever plays it live again, he can always change the lyric to "Dagenham Stace" and "'I love Simon, I love Cheryl' on the windowscreen.... never a reason to think or to question a single thing"

You've never heard Papa Jack? Where were you in 1997? Don't tell me you had a life? I kept listening to it, searching the lyrics for meaning and the song for melody. In the end, I decided to watch 'Sunset Beach' instead.
 
Here's my 'subversive top 10' for use in the car in the presence of family members who don't like 'depressing Morrissey.' I call it my subterfuge list. It sounds innocent enough but he'll soon get under their skin.

1 Sheila, Take a Bow
2 TLOTFIPBs
3 Hard to Walk Tall
4 Ouija Board
5 The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get
6 What She Said
7 The Operation
8 Gf in a Coma
9 Shoplifters of the World Unite
10 Suedehead
 
I tried to do a thread on this too and found my list extremely difficult. My favourites have changed a bit since then though, so this is an update. All of these are important to me lyrically and most appeal to me musically too. Off we go...

Smiths

10. 'A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours' musically has a fantastic intro and is really rhythmic. Morrissey's vocals are great and "There's too much caffeine in your bloodstream and a lack of real spice in your life" is a fantastic line. The pure energy of this song actually kept me going through my GCSE History exam (it was stuck in my head that day). :p

9. 'Accept Yourself'. "I am sick and I am dull and I am plain, how dearly I'd love to get carried away" perfectly encapsulates the last few years of my life, and there's such a fantastic amount of positive energy and passion- "When will you accept yourself, for heaven's sake?". I find it really hopeful and comforting.

8. 'Nowhere Fast'. This was the first Smiths song I ever heard, and I fell in love instantly. The melody, rythym and expression of small-town inertia are captivating. What's not to like?

7. 'I Started Something I Couldn't Finish'. A great rockabilly-esque tune, with passionate vocals and possibly one of the best intros ever.

6. 'Is It Really So Strange?' is great fun, but also really emotionally charged.

5. 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' amazes me on every listen. I really like the juxtaposition of tragedy and romance. "And in a darkened underpass I thought, 'Oh God my chance has come at last', but then a strange fear gripped me and I just couldn't ask"- enough said. The vocals on the outro are fantastic.

4. 'Reel Around The Fountain'. It's beauty lies in its simplicity I think. Despite what was regarded at the time as questionable subject matter (I don't see it that way, but I know some people did and probably still do), I find it romantic, and heartbreaking in parts. "Fifteen minutes with you- well, I wouldn't say no".

3. 'The Boy With The Thorn In His Side'. I couldn't explain this in words if I tried. Suffice to say it means a lot to me.

2. 'Paint A Vulgar Picture' Who knew a dual attack on the greed of the music industry and an exploration of music fandom could be so beautiful? So many of the lyrics reflect my opinions and experiences ("You're just the same as I am- what makes those people feel happy leads us headlong into harm"), and the melody is :love:. I first heard it shortly after Michael Jackson died, and the first few verses were the perfect antidote to the constant publicity and commercialism surrounding his death. Perfection.

1. 'How Soon Is Now'. This feels like an odd and awkward choice as number 1 for me. Maybe it's because it's often seen as quite overrated. However, the lyrics are uncannily appropriate for me and- dare i say it?- actually helped me in a way. I couldn't specify a particular favourite line from this though.

An honourable mention goes to: 'Rubber Ring' 'I Know It's Over', 'Frankly, Mr Shankly', 'I Want The One I Can't Have', and 'Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me'.

Morrissey Solo

10. 'I Have Forgiven Jesus'
Can't think of a way to explain these two atm. Both really brilliant though.
9. 'Speedway'

8. 'Friday Mourning' See number 2 on this list. *sigh*

7. 'Girl Least Likely To'. "Well she lives for the written word, and people come second or possibly third". I'm with dailyalice on this one. It's an immensely (but strangely) comforting song to listen to when you feel like you'll never succeed in your passions.

6. 'In The Future When All's Well' intensity, passion, desperation with a dash of positivity. Again, really important to me.

5. 'It's Not Your Birthday Anymore' has incredible vocals. Also, the epic melody makes a really nice contrast with the bitterness of the lyrics.

4. 'Late Night, Maudlin Street' is so emotional and simple. Another one that makes me cry if I'm in the right state of mind. :o

3. 'Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed' is the best track from YOR in my opinion. It stopped me in my tracks when I first heard it. It's sung with great passion against an elaborate and thundering musical backdrop. Just great.

2. 'Seasick, Yet Still Docked'. Again, I really can't explain this. Almost painful to listen to in its emotional insight and expression of despair.

1. 'Now My Heart Is Full' is just beautiful. It's epic, sweeping and brilliantly sung. Despite the relative mystery of most of the lyrics, the chorus so clearly conveys a feeling of relative happiness and maturity. My all-time favourite.

I found this way more difficult than the Smiths one- there were so many songs I felt bad about leaving out, so I'll mention those too as they're all ones I love: 'Mute Witness', 'November Spawned A Monster', 'On The Streets I Ran', 'You Know I Couldn't Last', and 'Ordinary Boys'.

God knows my favourites will change again soon though.
 
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I tried to do a thread on this too and found my list extremely difficult. My favourites have changed a bit since then though, so this is an update. All of these are important to me lyrically and most appeal to me musically too. Off we go...

Smiths

10. 'A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours' musically has a fantastic intro and is really rhythmic. Morrissey's vocals are great and "There's too much caffeine in your bloodstream and a lack of real spice in your life" is a fantastic line. The pure energy of this song actually kept me going through my GCSE History exam (it was stuck in my head that day). :p

9. 'Accept Yourself'. "I am sick and I am dull and I am plain, how dearly I'd love to get carried away" perfectly encapsulates the last few years of my life, and there's such a fantastic amount of positive energy and passion- "When will you accept yourself, for heaven's sake?". I find it really hopeful and comforting.

8. 'Nowhere Fast'. This was the first Smiths song I ever heard, and I fell in love instantly. The melody, rythym and expression of small-town inertia are captivating. What's not to like?

7. 'I Started Something I Couldn't Finish'. A great rockabilly-esque tune, with passionate vocals and possibly one of the best intros ever.

6. 'Is It Really So Strange?' is great fun, but also really emotionally charged.

5. 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' amazes me on every listen. I really like the juxtaposition of tragedy and romance. "And in a darkened underpass I thought, 'Oh God my chance has come at last', but then a strange fear gripped me and I just couldn't ask"- enough said. The vocals on the outro are fantastic.

4. 'Reel Around The Fountain'. It's beauty lies in its simplicity I think. Despite what was regarded at the time as questionable subject matter (I don't see it that way, but I know some people did and probably still do), I find it romantic, and heartbreaking in parts. "Fifteen minutes with you- well, I wouldn't say no".

3. 'The Boy With The Thorn In His Side'. I couldn't explain this in words if I tried. Suffice to say it means a lot to me.

2. 'Paint A Vulgar Picture' Who knew a dual attack on the greed of the music industry and an exploration of music fandom could be so beautiful? So many of the lyrics reflect my opinions and experiences ("You're just the same as I am- what makes those people feel happy leads us headlong into harm"), and the melody is :love:. I first heard it shortly after Michael Jackson died, and the first few verses were the perfect antidote to the constant publicity and commercialism surrounding his death. Perfection.

1. 'How Soon Is Now'. This feels like an odd and awkward choice as number 1 for me. Maybe it's because it's often seen as quite overrated. However, the lyrics are uncannily appropriate for me and- dare i say it?- actually helped me in a way. I couldn't specify a particular favourite line from this though.

An honourary mention goes to: 'I Know It's Over', 'Frankly, Mr Shankly', 'I Want The One I Can't Have', and 'Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me'.

Morrissey Solo

10. 'I Have Forgiven Jesus'
Can't think of a way to explain these two atm.
9. 'Speedway'

8. 'Friday Mourning' See number 2 on this list. *sigh*

7. 'Girl Least Likely To'. "Well she lives for the written word, and people come second or possibly third". I'm with dailyalice on this one. It's an immensely comforting song to listen to when you feel like you'll never succeed in your passions.

6. 'In The Future When All's Well' intensity, passion, desperation with a dash of positivity. Again, really important to me.

5. 'It's Not Your Birthday Anymore' has incredible vocals. Also, the epic melody makes a really nice contrast with the bitterness of the lyrics.

4. 'Late Night, Maudlin Street' is so emotional and simple. Another one that makes me cry if I'm in the right state of mind. :o

3. 'Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed' is the best track from YOR in my opinion. It stopped me in my tracks when I first heard it. It's sung with great passion against an elaborate and thundering musical backdrop. Just great.

2. 'Seasick, Yet Still Docked'. Again, I really can't explain this. Almost painful to listen to in its emotional insight and expression of despair.

1. 'Now My Heart Is Full' is just beautiful. It's epic, sweeping and brilliantly sung. Despite the relative mystery of most of the lyrics, the chorus so clearly conveys a feeling of relative happiness and maturity. My all-time favourite.

I found this way more difficult than the Smiths one- there were so many songs I felt bad about leaving out, so I'll mention those too as they're all ones I love: 'Mute Witness', 'November Spawned A Monster', 'On The Streets I Ran', 'You Know I Couldn't Last', and 'Ordinary Boys'.

God knows my favourites will change again soon though.

I enjoyed your choices and reflections on the songs. Why is it that so few people seem to appreciate the brilliance of 'Mama?' For me, it is an energising and inspiring piece. It helps channel rage appropriately, rather than - as most pop music does - inappropriately.
 
Morrissey;
1. Late Night, Maudlin Street
2. Children In Pieces
3. Ganglord
4. When Last I Spoke To Carol
5. Yes I Am Blind
6. Hairdresser On Fire
7. Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself?
8. Spring Heeled Jim
9. Roy's Keen
10. You Have Killed Me

The Smiths;
1. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
2. Nowhere Fast
3. What She Said
4. Jeane
5. The Headmaster Ritual
6. Shakespeare's Sister
7. Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
8. How Soon Is Now?
9. This Charming Man
10. Hand In Glove

This is in a compilation order, not top 10 because i don't even know what my favourite song is!!
 
The line about misguided trousers and mascara is all the more poignant for having watched the 'I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris' video.

Dagenham Dave is indeed a bit much. However, if he ever plays it live again, he can always change the lyric to "Dagenham Stace" and "'I love Simon, I love Cheryl' on the windowscreen.... never a reason to think or to question a single thing"

You've never heard Papa Jack? Where were you in 1997? Don't tell me you had a life? I kept listening to it, searching the lyrics for meaning and the song for melody. In the end, I decided to watch 'Sunset Beach' instead.

Sunset Beach...I remember it well...the only thing that resembled mahogany more than the tans was the acting. A friend was obsessed by it. (We don't speak now...)
Don't be silly, I wasn't having a 'life' in 1997. I believe I was in school, (how dull) or at least I was on the days when I could drag my miserable self out of bed. Heaven forbid I was having a life!

I'd like to hear the Cheryl/Simon version. Or perhaps even better, SuBo.

The 'Paris' video I thought was OK, but it did seem to be shot in such a way as to make him deathly pale??
 
Sunset Beach...I remember it well...the only thing that resembled mahogany more than the tans was the acting. A friend was obsessed by it. (We don't speak now...)
Don't be silly, I wasn't having a 'life' in 1997. I believe I was in school, (how dull) or at least I was on the days when I could drag my miserable self out of bed. Heaven forbid I was having a life!

I'd like to hear the Cheryl/Simon version. Or perhaps even better, SuBo.

The 'Paris' video I thought was OK, but it did seem to be shot in such a way as to make him deathly pale??

Is my obsession with lists peculiar? You know I have a compilation album for every one of Morrissey's studio records. I simply adore lists.

Here's my Viva Hate:

1 Alsatian Cousin

2 Little Man, What Now?

3 Everyday is Like Sunday

4 Michael’s Bones

5 Disappointed

6 Suedehead

7 The Ordinary Boys

8 Late Night, Maudlin Street

9 Angel, Down We Go

10 Bengali in Platforms

11 East West

12 Sister, I’m a Poet

It's a wonderful listen. Almost as good as my 'Your Arsenal.'
 
(in no particular order)

Morrissey:
Suedehead
Speedway
The Teachers Are Afraid Of The Pupils
Dagenham Dave
My Dearest Love
Life Is A Pigsty
You Should Have Been Nice To Me
The Never Played Smyphonies
On The Streets I Ran
Driving Your Girlfriend Home

The Smiths:
The Draize Train
Suffer Little Children
Rubber Ring
Shoplifters Of The World Unite
Asleep
The Night Has Opened My Eyes
The Headmaster Ritual
I Started Something I Couldn't Finish
Unhappy Birthday
Cemetry Gates
 
Absolutely all of these lists are awesome. The more I read the more I think, "Oh, that one's even better." I love seeing how different people group them, some lists are despair, some lists are comfort, some lists are rocking music. This is fun when there's no distraction and you can read the lists and hear the songs in your head. (I'm housesitting so the place is quiet.)
 
This was really tough, especially Moz-solo but here goes...In alphabetical order

The Smiths
The Boy With the thorn in his side
I Know Its Over
Jeane
Last night I dreamt that somebody loved me
London
Panic
Please please please let me get what I want
Shoplifters of the world unite
That joke isn’t funny anymore
There is a light that never goes out

Moz-Solo
Disappointed
Do Your Best and Don’t Worry
The Edges are no longer parallel
Ganglord
Interesting drug
The last of the famous International playboys
Nobody loves us
Now my heart is full
Speedway
Will never marry
 
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