The Smiths - The Best British Band Of All Time? - God Is In The TV

The Smiths - The Best British Band Of All Time? - God Is In The TV
By Loz Etheridge

Excerpt:

Morrissey cuts a more controversial figure than ever these days, now well past the point where anyone could feasibly even attempt to defend his offensive comments or totally unacceptable views. He has been reported as having said some truly shocking things in recent years, which none of us in our right minds would ever condone. To that end, for the sake of this article, I would like you to imagine, difficult as it may be, that after The Smiths split up there was nothing but an eerie silence, at least from one quarter of Manchester’s favourite sons.

Instead, let’s go back to a happier time – a simpler time when we found ourselves punching the air in delight at the lyrical genius of ‘Mozzer’, marvelling at the seemingly very intelligent, eloquent but shy, gangly individual who was brightening the lives of society’s outsiders, and, indeed, sometimes even playing a part in some of those kids’ minds that hey, maybe life isn’t so bad after all – I’m NOT ALONE.

 

[Deleted member 28251]

You don't believe in England or Britain. You believe in neo-liberal globalism.

Not guilty.

 

[Deleted member 29417]

You don't believe in England or Britain. You believe in neo-liberal globalism.

England/Britain was at the forefront of Liberalism.

The Enlightenment, The Industrial Revolution, Empire, technological change... all part of our history & heritage.

I belong to our socialist, internationalist tradition, which goes back over 100 years.

 

[Deleted member 28251]

England/Britain was at the forefront of Liberalism.

The Enlightenment, The Industrial Revolution, Empire, technological change... all part of our history & heritage.

I belong to our socialist, internationalist tradition, which goes back over 100 years.

In Britain, we talk about The Industrial Revolution like it was a good thing. That’s always confused me. It’s as if were asked to separate it from the world wars and current environmental and employment and social issues.

 

[Deleted member 29417]

The definitive top 10

1. The Bee Gees
2. The Beatles
3. Pink Floyd
4. The Smiths
5. The Sex Pistols
6. The Who
7. New Order
8. Eurythmics
9. Status Quo
10. Symarip

Honourable mention: OMD

My favourite music list would go:

1. Morrissey
2. Kate Bush
3. Kylie Minogue
4. Beyonce
5. Britney Spears
6. ABBA
7. Diana Ross
8. Sophie Ellis Bextor
9. Marianne Faithful
10. Dusty Springfield

11. Randomness

He clambered his way into my heart by wringing every last bit of emotion out of a note & being funny with it.

He might fume a bit - but he loves Twinkle & Sandie Shaw, so he KNOWS why.

 

[Deleted member 28251]

My favourite music list would go:

1. Morrissey
2. Kate Bush
3. Kylie Minogue
4. Beyonce
5. Britney Spears
6. ABBA
7. Diana Ross
8. Sophie Ellis Bextor
9. Marianne Faithful
10. Dusty Springfield

11. Randomness

He clambered his way into my heart by wringing every last bit of emotion out of a note & being funny with it.

He might fume a bit - but he loves Twinkle & Sandie Shaw, so he KNOWS why.

Who is ‘Beyoncé’? What should I listen to?

 

[Deleted member 29417]

In Britain, we talk about The Industrial Revolution like it was a good thing. That’s always confused me. It’s as if were asked to separate it from the world wars and current environmental and employment and social issues.

I'm torn - Dad's an engineer & I love industrial history & architecture. Manchester is famous all over the world for its pioneering factory design.

But I also want to rewild the UK & have sustainable local economies.

The Industrial Revolution is still part of our history & legacy, good or bad.

 

[Deleted member 28251]

I'm torn - Dad's an engineer & I love industrial history & architecture. Manchester is famous all over the world for its pioneering factory design.

But I also want to rewild the UK & have sustainable local economies.

The Industrial Revolution is still part of our history & legacy, good or bad.

I share something of your ambivalence. But for the environmental movement to get traction, there has to be a critical revision similar to the review of slavery.

 

[Deleted member 29417]

Who is ‘Beyoncé’? What should I listen to?

I spent an entire Summer trying to perfect this dance routine. I failed, but it was fun. She goes between soul ballads & dancey hip-hop.

 

[Deleted member 28251]

I spent an entire Summer trying to perfect this dance routine. I failed, but it was fun. She goes between soul ballads & dancey hip-hop.

I’ve just listened to a song called Sorry: yes, I liked it. Great summer song.

 

[Deleted member 28251]

I spent an entire Summer trying to perfect this dance routine. I failed, but it was fun. She goes between soul ballads & dancey hip-hop.

I tried to dislike this, but I couldn’t.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

A good list, I'd take out the Cure, they do nowt for me, put in an honourable mention for the Stone Roses, The Stones and Arctic Monkeys, Buzzcocks, and were done. That's the most I've ever agreed with anyone ever.

Can’t believe I forgot to mention the Roses and the Stones. Buzzcocks also deserve a mention.

Also: can’t believe people who don’t like the Clash. One of the most soulful bands of all time. Pure heart and soul.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

what was it you were spouting about? “American blues and Rock n’ Roll”?

You failed in understanding my post.

I said that Zeppelin were deeply influenced by American blues and rock n roll, and focused on that as their sound.

More than The Smiths or even the Beatles.

No where in my post did I say that The Smiths were not influenced by American rock n roll.

 

[Stephen Hofmann]

England/Britain was at the forefront of Liberalism.

The Enlightenment, The Industrial Revolution, Empire, technological change... all part of our history & heritage.

I belong to our socialist, internationalist tradition, which goes back over 100 years.

I don't think the original Liberal Party was set up for millions of people to come here from Africa or the Middle-east somehow.

 

[Stephen Hofmann]

I tried to dislike this, but I couldn’t.

Her one good song.

 

[Stephen Hofmann]

My favourite music list would go:

1. Morrissey
2. Kate Bush
3. Kylie Minogue
4. Beyonce
5. Britney Spears
6. ABBA
7. Diana Ross
8. Sophie Ellis Bextor
9. Marianne Faithful
10. Dusty Springfield

11. Randomness

He clambered his way into my heart by wringing every last bit of emotion out of a note & being funny with it.

He might fume a bit - but he loves Twinkle & Sandie Shaw, so he KNOWS why.

God knows how you stumbled into Morrissey. You should be down the gay discos.

 

[Stephen Hofmann]

England/Britain was at the forefront of Liberalism.

The Enlightenment, The Industrial Revolution, Empire, technological change... all part of our history & heritage.

I belong to our socialist, internationalist tradition, which goes back over 100 years.

And mass immigration. You left that out.

 

[Deleted member 29417]

I don't think the original Liberal Party was set up for millions of people to come here from Africa or the Middle-east somehow.

Liberalism, not the party.

And it wouldn't care - we're not The Lost City, we've never clamped our borders shut & kept doing the same old rituals forever.

 

[Deleted member 29417]

God knows how you stumbled into Morrissey. You should be down the gay discos.

There may be a reason why he appeals to people who like gay discos.

 

[Anonymous]

I would rank The Smiths at #3 in the best British band stakes, just behind The Beatles and Right Said Fred.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Everything came from the blues. No blues, no rock and roll.

I agree, but it’s what the band focuses on that becomes their sound.

For example, both bands listened to American blues and rock n roll.

But the Rolling Stones focused on American Blues as their sound, their identity. The Beatles blended their influences better as their sound, largely from music hall which I could hear as another major influence.

from the the two bands, Stones or Beatles, I would say that The Beatles, (like The Smiths) sounded more British.

And I would say that The Kinks (60’s output) sounded more British than The Beatles.

Everyone was influenced by early American music, but it’s about what the band chooses to focus on as their identity and sound.


Though I guess everyone has their own definition as to what is British music or what is a British sound.