Vulture article: Johnny Marr on the Best of the Smiths, His Solo Career, and Fever Dreams Pts 1–4 (February 2, 2022)

Johnny Marr on the Best of the Smiths and His Solo Career

“Sure, there was drama, but what you hear was a result of stone-cold love.”

www.vulture.com

Excerpt:

Something about making The Queen Is Dead you’ve never shared publicly

The Smiths have been pretty much done to death really by everyone who was involved, and plenty of people who weren’t. It’s a shame that so much was said without the benefit of maturity and hindsight and that there were so many agendas going around for so many years. But I guess it’s all part of the band’s kind of complicated story [annotation].

The truth was that there was loads of love in it. So maybe that’s the story that everybody is missing. Maybe that’s a surprise that everybody who is still interested needs to be reminded of: One of the reasons why they liked the sound of it and why it sounds the way it does is because there’s so much love in it. And there was love in the making of it. There was love in the writing of it. And sure, there was drama, but what you hear was a result of stone-cold love.

 

[bhops]

Morrissey: My freedom of speech is being attacked! Let me say what I want!
Also Morrissey: Johnny is not allowed to speak about me.

Incorrect,Morrissey ‘requested’ Johnny stop speaking authoritatively about him.

 

[Amy]

I've maxed out on Vulture articles so can't read the whole of this any more, but is there a bit where Johnny says (I'm paraphrasing) that he basically never really related to Morrissey's lyrics, in The Smiths? Or am I remembering that wrong?

"I’d say “The Headmaster Ritual” at the moment. I can relate to the sentiment of the lyrics. I suppose “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” is probably one I like singing in terms of the way I sing.

I tend to like singing, wait for it, for want of a better term, rock and roll. I like singing kind of upbeat rock songs. I’m not really into being a crooner too much. The singers that I like — or the things that I aspire to, rather — are people like Ray Davies from the Kinks, and Pete Shelley from the Buzzcocks, and Marc Bolan and Patti Smith. Of course, when I was in the Smiths, I absolutely admired it, without a doubt, but I didn’t relate to it because my personality in my life was a million miles away from what [redacted] was putting across. But these days, if I’m going to sing a Smiths song, I almost just feel like I’m the leader, and I’m just starting everybody off. Those songs, certainly at my concerts, seem to belong to everyone. I just feel like it’s a celebration."

 

[BookishBoy]

"I’d say “The Headmaster Ritual” at the moment. I can relate to the sentiment of the lyrics. I suppose “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” is probably one I like singing in terms of the way I sing.

I tend to like singing, wait for it, for want of a better term, rock and roll. I like singing kind of upbeat rock songs. I’m not really into being a crooner too much. The singers that I like — or the things that I aspire to, rather — are people like Ray Davies from the Kinks, and Pete Shelley from the Buzzcocks, and Marc Bolan and Patti Smith. Of course, when I was in the Smiths, I absolutely admired it, without a doubt, but I didn’t relate to it because my personality in my life was a million miles away from what [redacted] was putting across. But these days, if I’m going to sing a Smiths song, I almost just feel like I’m the leader, and I’m just starting everybody off. Those songs, certainly at my concerts, seem to belong to everyone. I just feel like it’s a celebration."

Thank you!

And I find that so strange and fascinating: he is almost literally saying that the songs (yes, lyrics, whatever) of The Smiths "say nothing to me about my life". Not just now (which would be fair enough, given the distance) but also back then.

 

[CrazyFaceGenes]

Thank you!

And I find that so strange and fascinating: he is almost literally saying that the songs (yes, lyrics, whatever) of The Smiths "say nothing to me about my life". Not just now (which would be fair enough, given the distance) but also back then.

Back then Marr was clearly nothing like Morrissey outside of the music, not in a bad or knock against Morrissey kind of way. Marr was the fashion conscious, outgoing, bit of a naughty lad type.

 

[vegan cro spirit .777]

Like FC says whenever LePepe has a so called sucky 'project' he starts making videos as to how to play Moz Smiths songs. Examine the above linked abomination



on the 12 string needless to say, all 12 strings are out of tune.
clanging a racket with ANOTHER CAPO!! MORE CAPO you need help to make the Moz song and you plan to teach someone????
if you are interested in learning F ed up versions of Moz songs, the LePepe videos are the ones to watch.
and the cad hosting the video actually thanx him for the earache

what a Katastrofa

 

[SuedeMoz]

Okay but to me the point is not whichever particular issue they disagree on. It's like someone you knew in high school following you around on Facebook trying to correct your opinions. Those opinions could be right, wrong, whatever but it's still Marr making himself way too involved in Morrissey's public statements.
And because they have this sort of connected identity in the public eye Marr is encouraged to make these comments, but you don't see Morrissey talking about Marr. Now maybe the reason is that Marr hasn't said anything interesting enough for Morrissey to care to comment on, but we can say for sure that he doesn't need to use Marr's name for publicity. On the other hand Marr really gets an awful lot of mileage out of talking about Morrissey. Every time Marr has a new project there he is showing how to play "This Charming Man" on his signature guitar, or talking about his new record while making a few digs at Morrissey.

Yes, Morrissey says things that do not help him or anyone else. But he doesn't need Marr to get publicity whereas I think it's clear that Marr needs to mention Morrissey.

And part of it for me is that I enjoy Morrissey's way with words and these are the sorts of statements I enjoy most, when he talks about other musicians. Aren't you kind of relieved that it's a break from the "subspecies, where were the parents, immigrants are rapists," typical drivel? I am. Please let's hear more like this. Maybe next month he can say something about Adele or something.

I feel like it's already been said ad Infinitum... but when is Marr talking about Morrissey other than when he's being asked questions about The Smiths? Yes, he's been asked about statements Morrissey made over the years... I think that's really dumb... but he has. Did Marr volunteer a statement, "My Views on Morrissey's For Britain Support"? Of course not.

I can't say he's never brought up Morrissey on his own (it's usually in a positive light like how he came up with the perfect lyrics for something)... but your post makes it sound as though Marr has a podcast called "The Morrissey Hour"... where he does nothing but talk about Morrissey and share stories and digs.

 

[Mr. Mustache aka Dider]

Perhaps what’s uncomfortable for both Marr and Morrissey is an admission that their musical marriage was essentially perfect. They complemented each other and made each other possible. Neither would have succeeded without the other or certainly not to the same global extent. Then they got a divorce, which happens. Plus all the complications with Joyce and Rourke who were also integral and critical to the sound. They were meant to all play together. And they were meant to eventually split and do other things. There will not be another band quite like The Smiths for a hundred years. Massive game changers. Total global influence. But then the ego issues that can come with that. Such is life etc.

 

[Mogzy]

This website still has Morrissey's name & he hates it.

Sue Niles for a meme?

Moz sued Nile? Does anyone has more info on this??

 

[vegan cro spirit .777]

How can Moz make 100 interviews without bringing up the little Pep?
' oo me and Moz are soooooo different as persons' WTF how many times is the twat going to say that? he doesnt know Moz for him to psycho babble him, he doesnt know what type of person Moz is since its 35 yrs ago.


Moz doesnt pretend to know LePepe with the wig, tats and botox which didnt have back then... or his new thing with the erotic oceanwear

 

[Moz Fan]

Perhaps what’s uncomfortable for both Marr and Morrissey is an admission that their musical marriage was essentially perfect. They complemented each other and made each other possible. Neither would have succeeded without the other or certainly not to the same global extent. Then they got a divorce, which happens. Plus all the complications with Joyce and Rourke who were also integral and critical to the sound. They were meant to all play together. And they were meant to eventually split and do other things. There will not be another band quite like The Smiths for a hundred years. Massive game changers. Total global influence. But then the ego issues that can come with that. Such is life etc.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Mozneedshelp]

Or even how the hell Morrissey comes up with endlessly inventive catchy melodies. He's one of the best at it in the last 50 years of pop. I feel this is undeniable.

Are you f***ing high? Like 70 percent of the catchy melodies in the smiths are the guitars not the vocal. Listen to headmaster ritual. What vocal melody?

 

[I am human]

This question was made because journalists need new things. Johnny Marr already shared everything about The Queen is Dead to promote his new music and people don't know what else to ask. He even shared the color of the underpants he was using when he was inspired to write the music. Maybe it's time to invent something else. Ahh... Irish imagination...

 

[Anonymous]

How can Moz make 100 interviews without bringing up the little Pep?

How can Vegan Cro make 1,000 posts on this site, and mention Johnny Marr in every one? Guess they are both obsessed?

 

[CrazyFaceGenes]

I feel like it's already been said ad Infinitum... but when is Marr talking about Morrissey other than when he's being asked questions about The Smiths? Yes, he's been asked about statements Morrissey made over the years... I think that's really dumb... but he has. Did Marr volunteer a statement, "My Views on Morrissey's For Britain Support"? Of course not.

I can't say he's never brought up Morrissey on his own (it's usually in a positive light like how he came up with the perfect lyrics for something)... but your post makes it sound as though Marr has a podcast called "The Morrissey Hour"... where he does nothing but talk about Morrissey and share stories and digs.

Marr could probably back off now on the Mozzer's politics stuff, he has made it clear, i don't think he has to worry about silence= sharing opinions. The other stuff is fair game as it was just as much his band as it was Morrissey's.

 

[Mozneedshelp]

Maybe Morrissey should make his peace with a fraught legacy like McCartney has for the sake of the fans? Or because he’s an adult human?

 

[CrazyFaceGenes]

How can Vegan Cro make 1,000 posts on this site, and mention Johnny Marr in every one? Guess they are both obsessed?

Marr refused to sign Vegan's capo and underpants, these are now three things he has sworn to destroy.

 

[Amy]

Thank you!

And I find that so strange and fascinating: he is almost literally saying that the songs (yes, lyrics, whatever) of The Smiths "say nothing to me about my life". Not just now (which would be fair enough, given the distance) but also back then.

It makes sense, though. Marr was/is a confident, talkative, outgoing guy with a huge group of friends - he's not going to relate to songs about unrequited love, being lonely and stuck indoors on a warm summer day, etc.

 

[Mr. Mustache aka Dider]

It makes sense, though. Marr was/is a confident, talkative, outgoing guy with a huge group of friends - he's not going to relate to songs about unrequited love, being lonely and stuck indoors on a warm summer day, etc.

Ah but you neglect the deep melancholy of many of Matt’s most brilliant work with the smiths. Morrissey’s openness opened up Marr as well. Up until then Matt’s band was “Freaky Party,” like white funk. I think Marr suppresses a lot of what could be fruitful shades of gray in his solo work. He certainly embraced aspects of it for The The, Electronic. Even Pet Shop Boys, and Talking Heads. There’s the beautiful highlife parts and then these gorgeous melancholic undertows. He is a genius, as is Morrissey. I would prefer to hear more colors in his solo work but he might be at a different stage of life. One cannot be what one no longer is, unless you pretend. Morrissey basically never pretends. It is always in the open. He continues to push and provoke. I think he is immature in many ways, but he is fearless on record. But perhaps fearful in human relationships. We all gotta work at it if we want better ones.

 

[The Orb]

It makes sense, though. Marr was/is a confident, talkative, outgoing guy with a huge group of friends - he's not going to relate to songs about unrequited love, being lonely and stuck indoors on a warm summer day, etc.

Exactly, yet he was sensitive enough to relate to Morrissey on a personal level and musically adept enough to not only write those songs but to come in after the vocals were recorded and envelope them with further gorgeousness.

 

[Mr. Mustache aka Dider]

Are you f***ing high? Like 70 percent of the catchy melodies in the smiths are the guitars not the vocal. Listen to headmaster ritual. What vocal melody?

Your point is false on its face, I feel. There are so many singable smiths songs. The guitar parts are also often singable. Sometimes it’s like two melodies. Or complex harmony. It worked somehow. They navigated each other. Then post-smiths morrissey continues to be inventive with melody, rhythm and lyric in a way that can’t be taught. Marr is not a natural lyricist or melodicist. And Morrissey cannot play an instrument or approximate Marr’s sound in any way, so he doesn’t try to.