“A Crack On The Head Is What You Get For Asking…”
On This Date, February 23rd, in 1985: The Smiths’ Meat Is Murder was the #1 album in the UK. Meat Is Murder is a fantastic album just crammed with amazing songs like “What She Said,” “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore,” “How Soon Is Now?” and “The Headmaster Ritual,” but my favorite is “Barbarism Begins at Home.” I’m going to celebrate the spirit of The Smiths by playing this album really loud as soon as I get home today! Smiths!
But I’m Still Fond of You, Whoa Oh…
On This Date in 1984: The Smiths released their fourth single, “What Difference Does It Make?” with a B-side of “Back To The Old House.” This song was my first introduction to The Smiths, a band that immediately became my over-the-top favorite band at the time. I was lucky to see The Smiths in concert probably three times (memory a bit fuzzy) and I still try to see Morrissey perform whenever he passes through NYC with his band. The Smiths’ music will always be very heartfelt to me.
Continue reading Classic Eighties Single of The Day: The Smiths’ “What Difference Does It Make?”
Barry Adamson
June 1st is the Birthday of ex-Smiths drummer Mike Joyce (1963), Alan Wilder (formerly) of Depeche Mode (1959) and Barry Adamson, composer and former bassist for Magazine (born 1958). Although we don’t hear much from Joyce or Wilder these days, Barry Adamson is still making some crazy music and composing soundtracks for mind-tweaking films such as David Lynch’s Lost Highway. The soundtrack of Lost Highway is worth owning on the strength of Adamson’s atmospheric soundscapes alone. Happy Birthday, Guys!
Thanks to The P5 Blogspot: This Day in 80s Music, for bringing the Birthday Love!
Mike Joyce
Andy, Johnny, Morrissey and Mike – The Smiths!
Morrissey (born Steven Patrick Morrissey), singer for The Smiths and worldwide Gay Icon was born on this day, May 22nd, in 1959. If you pay attention to this blog at all, or if you were lucky enough to know me back in the eighties, then you don’t need to be reminded of how important The Smiths were to me back in the day. I was so gay for them. Interviewing Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr was definitely one of the highlights of my life and career. Later on, I am going to play The Queen is Dead over and over until my eardrums cry out for mercy. Happy Birthday, Mozz!
The death of a disco dancer
Well, it happens a lot ’round here
And if you think Peace
Is a common goal
That goes to show
How little you know
The death of a disco dancer
Well, I’d rather not get involved
I never talk to my neighbour
I’d rather not get involved
Love, peace and harmony
Love, peace and harmony
Oh, very nice
Very nice
Very nice
Very nice
…But maybe in the next world
*Thanks to Matt Walker for the VIP Access at last night’s Morrissey Gig