The Moz/Smiths Top 100, Part 173: THAT JOKE ISN'T FUNNY ANYMORE

[the more you explore me!]

I finally gave a song a ten. One of my favorites. Makes me think of myself (in younger days) wrapped in a huge over coat, with my walkman playing, walking along a street on a chilly day.

 

[JoyDiv007]

It gets a 10 from me. Love the lyrics, just amazing.

 

[Raquel]

I read it the other way. Morrissey (or "the narrator", if you prefer) starts out by chastising his companion for laughing at the lonely, because it hits "too close to home".

But then it changes - Mozzer "drives the point home" on the cold leather seats of the car, and realises that he "just might die with a smile on my face after all". He's finally "getting some" - that's what he's always seen happening in other people's lives, and it's finally happening in his.

I'm not sure why, but the "just might die with a smile on my face after all," line always strikes me hard. I believe the underlying guitar chord and Morrissey's voice, give me this hopeful yet hopeless feeling at the very same time.

 

[Kuiper]

The content of the lyrics is certainly sad, but the music and the lyrics are so beautiful that the song becomes uplifting rather than depressing. I think thats what dothatagain? means when he/she says "oddly uplifting". If so, then I agree.

P.S does anyone know if Morrissey has played this live since The Smiths?

He soundchecked it on February 21st, 2000 in Portland, ME.

A definite 10, one of the best Smiths songs (and Morrissey songs period), very epic and mature but it also feels youthful to me. So in a way I'm surprised they produced something so classic early in their career but I couldn't see it emerging much later either. Excellent lyrics that complement the composition perfectly, the music is perfect on its own, particularly the drums (as others have noted), but his voice really completes the song. It is beautiful, sad, epic, and subtle all in the same way really. It's beautiful how sad it is and subtle how epic it is, perhaps.

 

[downie]

This song is rather boring. Lyrics are better than the melody, but.. boring.

Next!

 

[Comtesse]

very true. although I was really disappointed to discover that he totally ganked that line "I've seen this happen in other people's lives, and now it's happening in mine." I forget from where, one of those movies...but I read it in "the Songs that Saved your life." I was really upset at first, but I got over it. it fits perfectly with the song.

Yeah, I was upset over the many plagiarisms too... but then I realized that it takes a different type of genius to know which lines to steal and how to use them effectively. No one is better at shoplifting than Moz.

 

[Black_Eyed_Sioux]

Which songs are in the lead at the minute?

 

[jeniphir]

I really want decimals on these options. . .I'd call this an 8.75, so I gave it a 9.

--jeniphir

 

[mozmal]

Another classic example of the perfect union of Morrissey and Marr. Haunting, beautiful and unique. "You should know time's tide will smother you, and I will, too". Even in times of despair, he can still make me smile. 10.

 

[oscillate wildly]

10!

(mentions same reasons that everyone else who gave it a ten did)

 

[celibate]

a 10

one of the 3 classics on The Smiths masterpiece album Meat is Murder.
Musicly it's phenomal, johhny's weeping/drama guitarsound acompied by
Joyce/Rourkes exellent playing makes it by musicly standards a classic

the lyrics are absolutely one of the best Morrissey done in the Smiths days
So simple, so easy, so mellow, but also very recognisable at to close to home

wonderfull song, a shame Morrissey never played it live since the Smiths days

finest line
I've seen this happen in other peoples lives
and now it's happening in mine

Would Marr even consider to produce a Morrissey album, asked by the Man?

 

[Amy]

Would Marr even consider to produce a Morrissey album, asked by the Man?

I don't think Moz would ever ask him. That part of his life is over.

 

[Houdini]

Which songs are in the lead at the minute?

I decided not to update the list anymore, as we are nearing the last 50 songs or so, but it is no secret that these songs are currently in the lead, alphabetically listed:

Bigmouth Strikes Again
Cemetry Gates
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Hand In Glove
How Soon Is Now?
I Know It's Over
Jack The Ripper
Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
Now My Heart Is Full
Panic
Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
Reel Around The Fountain
Rubber Ring
Shoplifters Of The World Unite
Speedway
Still Ill
Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
Suedehead

 

[the judge]

13 songs with The Smiths and 4 solo.

 

[Houdini]

13 songs with The Smiths and 4 solo.

Sorry, forgot one (see edit).
Those are all the songs so far that have average scores of 9.20 or more.
So 13 Smiths-ones and 5 solo.
But there are 3 solo-ones in the current top-5...

Keep voting!

 

[BillyBudd]

I decided not to update the list anymore, as we are nearing the last 50 songs or so, but it is no secret that these songs are currently in the lead, alphabetically listed:

Bigmouth Strikes Again
Cemetry Gates
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Hand In Glove
How Soon Is Now?
I Know It's Over
Jack The Ripper
Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
Now My Heart Is Full
Panic
Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
Reel Around The Fountain
Rubber Ring
Shoplifters Of The World Unite
Speedway
Still Ill
Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
Suedehead

We still haven't heard from the big favourite yet though

That Joke...is a perfect 10 from me - though rarely mentioned, this is one of the real Smiths classics.

 

[junkpile]

10/10 all the way.

lyrically and musically. i love it.

 

[suparni]

10 in my book... here is the vid for those who missed it.

 

[celibate]

We still haven't heard from the big favourite yet though

QUOTE]

indeed the lazy dykes will set this poll on fire

 

[Amy]

10 in my book... here is the vid for those who missed it.

Superb video, one of my favourites. I love how he accidentally lets go of the mic and it swings away from him!