I'm first!

"Does anybody else LOVE The Smiths version of"...what?

Am I missing something?

This poll really gets me thinking.

i personally like the old-timey retro vibe of the song, with all the vocal effects, and harmonies /// but what tops it for me is Morrissey's solo equivalent: "East West".

It's a quirky b-side and that's how people would have taken it if Johnny Marr hadn't constantly used it as a reason why he left the Smiths. I don't understand why he isn't criticised for that more really, it's pretty pathetic and obviously just something he made up after the fact.

It's the biggest pile of supercrap that The Smiths have ever done. Even crapper than that crap they did about some girl with fat arse that was even fatter than her mum's fat arse or something. Utter crap.

off his last 2 albums (except IBEH) His concert line up wasn't any better. Moz I pray your next album doesn't suck!!!!

I do not like it at all. I really think there is nothing good about it. On the other hand, I think East/West is great, and so I disagree with an earlier post that identified East/West as the Morrisey solo equivalent of Golden Lights. Overall, I think Morrissey's covers have been good, but Golden Lights is a big exception.

This is where many Morrissey fans try to upset the applecart, and claim that the song was great, so that they can win a trophy for most dedicated Morrissey follower.

The song was incredibly embarrassing, and apparently it was Morrissey's fault during production. A sensible version was attempted, but Morrissey was having one of his usual catty, unspoken spats with John Porter, and used the song as wedge between Porter and Street. Instead of thinking about the most important thing, which is the music, he destroyed a song that they shouldn't have covered in the first place.

If I was Johnny Marr, I would have been enraged. Morrissey was attempting to turn The Smiths into his own personal solo project, and expected everyone else to endure the ride.

Pay attention. "Golden Lights" is what happens when you don't speak up, and create boundaries in a relationship.

but not as bad as "Ask"

all the band are a little embarassed by it.
espec. marr.
one moment of mozz madness 'hey lets do a cover of this Twinkle single its great isnt it'....

well, er, quite frankly, nope it sucks.

Popular rumour in the U.S. was that The Smiths were to cover The Association's "Cherish" for the "Pretty in Pink" soundtrack-

Can anybody comment on this? The original version of "Cherish" was played during one particular scene in this movie.

Sweet nostalgia. HEY- can ANYONE comment on the prospects of Morrissey covering Jobriath? There are rumours about that, too!

See ya' in Indiana

Ken Stavitzke

I do like it, but I'm a fan of over the top innocent melodrama...

If only it were on Kill Uncle instead... we could all finally move on with our lives...

-Man of Vision

I mean ok.....it is not "up there" with the rest/best but after listening and relistening to the classics it is nice to pop in and look at the "other" songs they did.

"The songs that saved your life" says it all really but still.....it's not THAT BAD!

Sheridan

There must certainly be a difference of how this track (or any other) is perceived by someone becoming exposed to it after the fact of its release as opposed to how it fit into the cannon at the time.

During that prolific period where single followed single (in contradiction of the single-album-tour schedule other bands followed), each single release was anticipated and loved (by me, at least) in its entirety. Each country-twang-infused track, each obscure throwback to a past decade's mediocrity, was accepted as something unique that ONLY the Smiths would have attempted, that only they could make interesting regardless. How could you not love something so fresh for the immediate time surrounding the release, despite its origins in something so stale?

I hated the song at first and would push fast forward on the tape (original Smiths fans had the choice of records or tapes back then). Once I got the CD (1988 or 1989) I started to just let it play and the song grew on me. I can't believe the Smiths broke up 20 years ago! It all feels like yesterday.....
thetexasbloke

Why is Kirsty not credited on the version from Louder Than Bombs. I found that odd. Or am I wrong?

This is the only song i have always skipped on the old record of Louder than bombs, latterly the CD and more recently the IPOD. I just find it cringeworthy. I dont know what it is i hate about it but for me it just does not have any place as a Smiths song.

Sorry if that sounds a bit pompous. Its not meant like that I mean from a really personal perspective I just dont see the song in anyway reflective of the group I addore and idolise.

I love it but not as much as I love Morrissey's cover for "Redondo Beach"!!! Anyone else love that song?

People say it's one of the Smiths weakest songs, but I can't agree.

No and I wonder... if Morrissey and Marr themselves wrote it, would these people still claim it to be sub-par? Probably not.

It's unique, as far as Smiths songs go, and I think that's part of its intrigue!

But what about the original Twinkle version?

I disliked at first, in fact, I was embarrassed by it. But then one day, I couldn't make it to the stereo to skip the cd and I found myself wondering why on earth I'd avoided it for so long. It's kitsch yet heartfelt, and the choice of Kirsty MacColl as backing vocalist is just the right side of strange to be perfect.
It may have been Morrissey's indulgence to cover this song, but overall it's a mixture of everything I love about him; his peculiar, but interesting taste in music, his obsession with odd female stars, his delight in nostalgia and his desire to stick two fingers up to other's ideas of what constitutes credibility. Not to mention the fact that it's an incredibly catchy tune.
I'm sure this current crop of indie bands wouldn't feel half so comfortable covering girly pop tracks if The Smiths hadn't got there first.

I have never heard the original non-Smiths version and always wondered what it sounded like? Any help?

King of your age, who do you turn to?
When you are backstage, Dont you remember you once knew a girl, who loved you more than the world.

Golden Lights

Oh Why Did you change?

Gotta love it!!!
Whats not to love?

I think it was very Morrissey. The tune suited his sweet voice so well, like East West. I understand WHY he wanted to do it. Still, it wasn't right for The Smiths, and Johnny was right o be mad about it. If they had taken time off, like Johnny wanted, he could have done it solo somehow. And Johnny would have rested and maybe... well, that's going too far.

definitely one of the worst things they've ever done.