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Who is your favorite historical figure referenced by a Smiths/Morrissey song? (anonymously suggested)
Displaying poll results.
Caligula   13% 554 / 13%
Marc Antony   1% 71 / 1%
Cleopatra VII   1% 78 / 1%
Oscar Wilde   28% 1139 / 28%
Y.B. Yeats   1% 76 / 1%
John Keats   2% 85 / 2%
Myra Hindley   2% 94 / 2%
Joan Of Arc   10% 418 / 10%
Ronnie/Reggie Kray   9% 386 / 9%
Oliver Cromwell   3% 153 / 3%
Jack The Ripper   16% 681 / 16%
Adolf Hitler   5% 228 / 5%
other   1% 45 / 1%
4008 total votes.

[ Voting Booth | Other Polls | Back Home ]

  • Don't complain about lack of options. You've got to pick a few when you do multiple choice. Those are the breaks.
  • Feel free to suggest poll ideas if you're feeling creative. I'd strongly suggest reading the past polls first.
  • This whole thing is wildly inaccurate. Rounding errors, ballot stuffers, dynamic IPs, firewalls. If you're using these numbers to do anything important, you're insane.

This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Who is your favorite historical figure referenced by a Smiths/Morrissey song? (anonymously suggested) | Log in/Create an Account | Top | 115 comments | Search Discussion
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The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
Yeats (Score:1)
I voted for Yeats because the song made me want to purchase a book of his poems. I wanted to understand why Keats and Yates were on one side whilst Wilde was on the other. What I came to find is that I didn't much like the poetry except for one:

A Drinking Song

    WINE comes in at the mouth
And love comes in at the eye;
That's all we shall know for truth
Before we grow old and die.
I lift the glass to my mouth,
I look at you, and I sigh.
evennow -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @08:30AM (#334416)
(User #17371 Info)
 an empty heart...it sets me free
  • Myra Hindley? Hitler? by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 16 2009, @08:53AM
      Re:Myra Hindley? Hitler? (Score:2, Funny)
      Anyone's and its.

      However, despite your unfamiliarity with our good enemy the apostrophe, I agree.

      Jack the Ripper's in the lead?

      How...why...what?

      "Yeah, obviously I like Hitler and Jack the Ripper but Myra Hindley's my favourite. I've got a statue of her. It weeps."
      kissmyshades -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @09:02AM (#334419)
      (User #12542 Info)
      [ Parent ]
    • Re:Myra Hindley? Hitler? by Anonymous (Score:0) Saturday June 20 2009, @01:30PM
    • Re:Yeats by Celibate Cry (Score:1) Wednesday June 17 2009, @06:07AM
      On the other end of the scale from Hitler... (Score:1, Interesting)
      ...we're missing Jesus (namechecked in 3 songs that I can thinnk of).

      And doesn't Christian Dior get a mention, as he gets a song title all to himself?
      Anonymous -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @09:34AM (#334422)
      Der Führer (Score:0)
      I want to know, who voted for Hitler? What song is that in?
      Anonymous -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @09:58AM (#334423)
      keats (Score:1)
      keats is my surname so thats way he on my side alone with yates
      sunney01 -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @11:03AM (#334427)
      (User #17417 Info)
        Mike Joyce (Score:0)
        Mike Joyce in "It's hard to walk tall when your small". And don't tell me he not a historical figure because Morrissey made very clear that he is!

        Anonymous -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @12:04PM (#334431)
        • Re:Mike Joyce by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 16 2009, @02:05PM
          • Re:Mike Joyce by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 16 2009, @11:20PM
            • Re:Mike Joyce by Anonymous (Score:0) Wednesday June 17 2009, @08:02AM
            • Re:Mike Joyce by Richey (Score:1) Thursday June 18 2009, @03:47AM
              • Also, by Anonymous (Score:0) Saturday July 04 2009, @05:34PM
              Three men... (Score:1)
              Socrates, Jesus, Morrissey...
              Argyris_Kravaritis -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @12:54PM (#334435)
              (User #3786 Info | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX2tRTuJags&feature=channel_page )
               The only thing that I know is that I don't know anything...Socrates
              love jack (Score:0)
              Jack the Ripper is my hero
              Anonymous -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @02:03PM (#334439)
              • Re:love jack by markmustb1 (Score:0) Tuesday June 16 2009, @08:09PM
                • Re:love jack by Anonymous (Score:0) Wednesday June 17 2009, @12:39PM
                Other (Score:0)
                "Where the president is never black, female, or gay..."

                Obama has already made history. He's arguably the most important figure in this poll. You Americans are so lucky to have him! Hope and Change!

                Many blessings.
                Anonymous -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @03:01PM (#334442)
                • Re:Other by markmustb1 (Score:0) Tuesday June 16 2009, @05:42PM
                  • Re:Other by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 16 2009, @06:14PM
                    • Re:Other by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 16 2009, @06:42PM
                  • Re:Other by kissmyshades (Score:1) Wednesday June 17 2009, @06:38AM
                    • Re:Other by Anonymous (Score:0) Wednesday June 17 2009, @06:46PM
                      • Re:Other by Anonymous (Score:0) Sunday June 21 2009, @01:21PM
                        • Seriously by Anonymous (Score:0) Sunday June 21 2009, @05:25PM
                          • Re:Seriously by anonomuirgheasa (Score:1) Monday June 22 2009, @06:23PM
                          • Re:Other by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 23 2009, @04:55PM
                        • Re:Other by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday June 18 2009, @10:35AM
                          • Obama by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday June 18 2009, @07:37PM
                            • Re:Obama by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday June 18 2009, @09:12PM
                              • Palin was his downfall by Anonymous (Score:0) Friday June 19 2009, @01:42PM
                                • Re:Obama by Anonymous (Score:0) Saturday June 20 2009, @10:24PM
                                  • Re:Obama by Anonymous (Score:0) Sunday June 21 2009, @05:20PM
                                    • Re:Obama by Anonymous (Score:0) Monday June 22 2009, @10:57AM
                                      • McCain by Anonymous (Score:0) Monday June 22 2009, @11:51AM
                                        • Re:Obama by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 23 2009, @10:06AM
                                          • Re:Obama by Anonymous (Score:0) Saturday June 27 2009, @07:44AM
                                      • Sorry by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 23 2009, @12:33PM
                                        • Obama Supporters, Where Are You? by Anonymous (Score:0) Saturday June 27 2009, @09:26AM
                                          • I find that by Anaesthesine (Score:1) Monday June 29 2009, @06:48AM
                                            • Still by Anonymous (Score:0) Monday June 29 2009, @11:33AM
                                              • Re:I find that by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 30 2009, @06:40AM
                                                • Re:I find that by Ceiling_Shadow (Score:1) Tuesday July 07 2009, @03:45AM
                                                • Re:Obama Supporters, Where Are You? by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday July 02 2009, @12:54PM
                                                  • lol by Anonymous (Score:0) Saturday July 04 2009, @05:42PM
                                                    • Re:lol by Anonymous (Score:0) Sunday July 05 2009, @06:44AM
                                                  • Re:Other by Bronson (Score:1) Sunday August 09 2009, @04:16PM
                                                    forgot prince charles (Score:2, Funny)
                                                    he is a winner - his teeth take second place
                                                    moho -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @04:22PM (#334445)
                                                    (User #10663 Info)
                                                      Glad I get to say it first ~ (Score:0)
                                                      Although i do recite "hindley wakes" alot
                                                      my fav is "what she asks of me at the end of the day
                                                      Caligula would have blushed"
                                                      How bad must she have been? and always think of him spinning on his heals and running -lol
                                                      markmustb1 -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @05:34PM (#334447)
                                                      (User #13161 Info)
                                                       cos no one ever turns to me to say ...
                                                      Jack the Ripper vs. Joan of Arc (Score:1)
                                                      Good Poll, while it comes down to the real question of it. One of my top fav songs is "Jack the Ripper"...the music, lyrics, Moz's tone...I just love the song but I can't say my fav historical character, no way !! Joan of Arc for sure, a martyr for doing what was right. Truly a saint I can relate to !!!
                                                      Imtwistedchild -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @06:06PM (#334450)
                                                      (User #14880 Info)
                                                       A Hostage to Kindness
                                                        I say... (Score:1)
                                                        Joan of Arc, but I have a special bond with her and that is why. However, I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Jack the Ripper. It's one of my favorite songs.
                                                        hand in glove * -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @07:25PM (#334455)
                                                        (User #827 Info)
                                                         Art is the tree of life. Science is the tree of death. - William Blake
                                                          Joan of Arc (Score:1)
                                                          By a landslide.

                                                          "As the flames rose to her Roman nose and her walkman started to melt"....later on her hearing aid met the same fate! It does not get any better thn that, the Caligula line came closest. Walkman is much funnier than ipod, just wouldn't have been as good if wrote in the modern era.
                                                          Foster88 -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @09:34PM (#334460)
                                                          (User #17605 Info)
                                                           I have spent my whole life in ruin's, because of people who are nice.
                                                          • Re:Joan of Arc by Anonymous (Score:0) Wednesday June 17 2009, @06:28PM
                                                            bloody marc antony (Score:1)
                                                            how or why him?
                                                            Raffael79 -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @09:55PM (#334462)
                                                            (User #17513 Info)
                                                            The past never lasts long these days (Score:0)
                                                            Myra Hindley and the Krays aren't really historical figures. You must be very young to think they are. People are still grieving over their atrocities. Yamaha
                                                            Anonymous -- Tuesday June 16 2009, @10:32PM (#334463)
                                                              great poll (Score:0)
                                                              i voted for ronnie and reggie
                                                              mainly because international playboys is my favourite moz song
                                                              Anonymous -- Wednesday June 17 2009, @04:22AM (#334477)
                                                                Jesus Christ (Score:0)
                                                                Because Moz forgave him & because he may appear in several songs
                                                                Anonymous -- Wednesday June 17 2009, @05:59AM (#334479)
                                                                  little fluffy Claudes (Score:0)
                                                                  what about Claude Brasseur? Wasn't a very good song, but it's a mention...
                                                                  Anonymous -- Wednesday June 17 2009, @08:07AM (#334495)
                                                                  Hitler the front man (Score:0)
                                                                  If you read Mein Kampf you will find that Hitler briefly took part in the prison band, supplying poetry. The poetry was considered too dark and for a very short period he actually fronted the band, although he had a semi-vocal/semi-spoken word delivery.

                                                                  The collaboration was doomed though and Hitler retreate back to his art.
                                                                  Anonymous -- Wednesday June 17 2009, @12:32PM (#334505)
                                                                    Who is... (Score:0)
                                                                    "Y B Yeats"...? I assumed Moz was referencing W B Yeats.
                                                                    Anonymous -- Wednesday June 17 2009, @02:06PM (#334516)
                                                                      Did the poll writer mean perhaps mean to ask... (Score:1)
                                                                      "What is your favourite *reference* to a famous historical figure in a Smiths/Morrissey song"?

                                                                      Because asking which of the figures is our favourite has nothing to do with the songs and makes people who chose "Hitler" look like Neo-Nazi's when they were probably just amused at the lyrics of Oh Phoney.

                                                                      king leer -- Thursday June 18 2009, @06:53AM (#334590)
                                                                      (User #80 Info)
                                                                      The deviant mind (Score:2, Interesting)
                                                                      It's odd how so many people are fascinated with Jack The Ripper. Perhaps we just love a good mystery, not to mention all the conspiracy theories that have sprung up around him. I only hope Morrissey doesn't go in for any of that Royal physician nonsense.

                                                                      One of my main reasons for listening to The Smiths for the first time 10yrs ago, was through the interviews in which Moz waxed lyrical about Wilde. The Happy Prince was one of my favourite childhood stories and later The Picture of Dorian Gray became my favourite novel.
                                                                      Mozzersgirl -- Thursday June 18 2009, @01:45PM (#334612)
                                                                      (User #14229 Info)
                                                                       "There's more evil in the charts than in an al-Qaeda suggestion box" - Bill Bailey
                                                                        Re:The deviant mind (Score:2, Interesting)
                                                                        I was just having this conversation with an eccentric acquaintance of mine (last name Wilder; he named his son Oscar: Oscar Wilder, honestly). It's still about Oscar, for so many people, in so many places, for so many reasons.

                                                                        Ripper and Wilde were both early obsessions of mine, but Jack was a shallow, thrill-seeking thing; Oscar was profound and for life.

                                                                        There is no deviance like Victorian deviance: well-upholstered, recognizably modern, yet still gaslit and exotic; the bridge between the old world and the new. l suppose Oscar Wilde represents one the very best things to come out of that era, and Jack The Ripper is one of the very worst.

                                                                        Oscar and Jack - I'm surprised no one has written a cheap novel about the two of them, or made an awful film. Maybe they have, and I just missed it.

                                                                                   
                                                                        Anaesthesine -- Thursday June 18 2009, @02:58PM (#334620)
                                                                        (User #14203 Info)
                                                                         If Moz did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.
                                                                        [ Parent ]
                                                                      Other notable exclusiosn (Score:1, Informative)
                                                                      History or not history that is the question?

                                                                      Roy Keane - Roys Keen
                                                                      Patric Doonan - Now My HEart Is Full
                                                                      Shelagh Delaney - Sheila Take A Bow
                                                                      Billy Mackenzie - William It Was Really Nothing
                                                                      Prince Charles - The Queen Is Dead
                                                                      Queen Elizabeth II - The Queen Is Dead, Nowhere Fast
                                                                      Margaret Thatcher - Margaret On The Guillotine
                                                                      Bill Shankly - Frankly Mr Shankly
                                                                      Jack Wilde - Little Man What Now (not explicity referenced)
                                                                      William Shakespeare/ Virginia Woolf - Shakespeare's Sister (not explicity referenced)
                                                                      Claude Brasseur - At Last I Am Born

                                                                      And in memoriam:
                                                                      Edward Evans
                                                                      John Kilbride
                                                                      Lesley Ann Downes

                                                                      Still good poll.

                                                                      BB
                                                                      Anonymous -- Friday June 19 2009, @05:49PM (#334660)
                                                                      ernest hemmingway (Score:1)
                                                                      for whom the bell tolls

                                                                      name of his novel
                                                                      Celibate Cry <vauxhall@mail2uk.com> -- Friday June 19 2009, @10:26PM (#334661)
                                                                      (User #220 Info)
                                                                       and the hills are alive with celibate cries
                                                                      myself (Score:1)
                                                                      making cristmass cards with the

                                                                      'Mentally ill'
                                                                      Celibate Cry <vauxhall@mail2uk.com> -- Saturday June 20 2009, @06:18AM (#334666)
                                                                      (User #220 Info)
                                                                       and the hills are alive with celibate cries
                                                                      • Re:myself by Senior Partner (Score:1) Sunday July 05 2009, @04:47AM
                                                                        I miss the guillotine (Score:1)
                                                                        Lest we forget Thatcher.
                                                                        Margaret on the guillotine
                                                                        WillieC3 -- Tuesday June 23 2009, @06:41AM (#334841)
                                                                        (User #294 Info)
                                                                          Ronnie&Reggie KRAY (Score:1)
                                                                          I do love the way Moz "romanticized" about them back in the day. I think its time he brought them back in the spotlight and introduced them to his new young fans that werent tuned in in the late 80s.
                                                                          Gin N Tonic Jil -- Wednesday June 24 2009, @07:36AM (#334915)
                                                                          (User #7276 Info)
                                                                           You're not down with who I am but, look at you now you're all in my hands...tonight I'm a Rock N' Roll Star!!
                                                                            Poor Keats (Score:1)
                                                                            Beaten by Myra Hindley. Dude needs a new manager.
                                                                            maurice -- Thursday June 25 2009, @01:03AM (#334963)
                                                                            (User #6984 Info)
                                                                              Antony (Score:0)
                                                                              It's a dead heat between him and Cleopatra. Oscar Wilde is high on the list too ovs.
                                                                              Anonymous -- Friday June 26 2009, @04:48PM (#335073)
                                                                                Reggie Kray do you know my name (Score:1)
                                                                                I have a fasination with serial killers as well as small groups who make the choice to kill.
                                                                                I had never heard of these 2 before so Thank you Morrissey!!!
                                                                                I'm well versed in America's and Canadian killers but have now opened up to some of the cases across the pond.
                                                                                Lucretia <{Lucretia2000} {at} {hotmail.com}> -- Wednesday July 01 2009, @05:10PM (#335475)
                                                                                (User #7336 Info)
                                                                                 It's a shady game and I want to lose, please let me lose it's nothing to you...
                                                                                  Oscar Wilde (Score:1)
                                                                                  I became increasingly interested in Oscar Wilde after hearing 'Cemetry Gates' and have read much, if not all, of his work over the years.
                                                                                  A true genius.

                                                                                  His short stories are truly wonderful to read. "The Selfish Giant", "The Happy Prince", "The Remarkable Rocket" and "The Nightingale and the Rose".
                                                                                  In fact from reading them you can see the influence on the logic in many of Morrissey's lyrics, particularly with The Smiths.

                                                                                  Wilde's beautiful and articulate use of language is something for which we should all be grateful.
                                                                                  Beatlesmith -- Thursday July 02 2009, @05:24AM (#335502)
                                                                                  (User #2870 Info)
                                                                                   Even though I thought it was physically impossible, this both sucks and blows.
                                                                                    Nice poll but.... (Score:0)
                                                                                    Isn't it about time for a new one now? Is there a certain threshold that's used to determine when a new one is due? say, when less than five posts are received in one day, or when three or more days pass without a post? Yamaha
                                                                                    Anonymous -- Thursday July 02 2009, @10:19PM (#335545)
                                                                                      alluded to (Score:0)
                                                                                      how about alluded to? Lorca?
                                                                                      Anonymous -- Friday July 03 2009, @06:24AM (#335558)
                                                                                        Caligula blushed (Score:0)
                                                                                        Haha, it's a good thing Oscar Wilde won more points than Caligula in this poll, otherwise, I would have been worried. :D
                                                                                        Anonymous -- Monday July 06 2009, @03:59PM (#335686)
                                                                                          mmm, yes, wilde of course (Score:1)
                                                                                          such sheep morrissey enthusiasts are. i chose yeats given he's the 20th century's greatest poet in the english language. wilde could turn a phrase fancy as any fencer, but yeats was peerless when piecing together syllables for his verse.
                                                                                          judefolly -- Thursday July 09 2009, @09:42AM (#335793)
                                                                                          (User #21304 Info | http://judefolly.com/blog )
                                                                                           'sick to the back teeth'

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