BookishBoy
Well-Known Member
Next up in the A-Z is "Billy Budd" from the Vauxhall and I album.
What do we think of this one?
I believe this is our first V&I track. A nice little rocker of a track IMO, and it also holds up live. I remember at the time of release there was much speculation that Johnny Marr was the subject matter mainly due to the "now it's 12 years on" line (1982-1994). Very curious what others think on this aspect?
I don't think this is one of the absolute key tracks on Vauxhall and I (Boz's big 3 take that crown), but an important change of pace in amongst the mostly slower songs.
I agree that the 12 years line is a typical Morrissey tease and the lyrics in general are mature and thought provoking.
Musically it is fairly similar to some of what would come on the next album, but it doesn't outstay its welcome (unlike almost all of Southpaw Grammar) and is a solid tune.
In the poll on the other board it ranked 60 from 264 solo songs.
Absolutely - heard in its own, with no context, it is a little slight, but it is elevated into something quite special when heard as part of the whole album.Yes, agree about the pacing and this song's role in the album. For me it's stronger than "album filler" but not quite a great song, but the role it plays in the album's momentum and flow is just perfect.
Question is, if Johnny Marr is Billy Budd, who is Morrissey? Captain Vere or John Claggart?I wondered why he called it Billy Budd. Haven't read the book but the film was traumatic, Terrence Stamp gets hanged for accidentally killing a man who had been taunting him because he's a bit simple.
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There are many more aspects one could mention besides the "12 years" (which he later adjusted to fit the year 1982 in live performances).I believe this is our first V&I track. A nice little rocker of a track IMO, and it also holds up live. I remember at the time of release there was much speculation that Johnny Marr was the subject matter mainly due to the "now it's 12 years on" line (1982-1994). Very curious what others think on this aspect?
Claggart, if we're being mean. He's actually neither of the two. I think the actual plot of Billy Budd didn't have that much influence on the lyric, even if one could argue that Billy and Johnny do have some character traits in common.Question is, if Johnny Marr is Billy Budd, who is Morrissey? Captain Vere or John Claggart?
The homosexual themes of Billy Budd was once debated on the Sopranos.
He can't or couldn't.I don’t see how Marr could be freed by Morrissey sacrificing his legs.