My high school yearbook quote was, "And if the people stare, then the people stare, I really don't know and I really don't care." It was taken from The Smiths song, "Hand in Glove" and is probably the most popular track they've ever released. Now, don't get me wrong, it's an amazing song, but not my ultimate favorite. Then again, it's hard to have just one favorite Smiths songs.
In class, most kids would doodle. I would jot down Smiths lyrics.
So many of them touched me like, "Ask me why and I'll die. Does the body rule the mind or does the mind rule the body? I dunno" ... "There are brighter sides to life and I should know because I've seen them, but not very often." So many lines I loved... "I know it's over and still I cling, I don't know where else I can go ... Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head." I can't forget about: "I wear black on the outside, 'cause black is how I feel on the inside." Then there's, "... and if a ten ton truck kills the both of us, to die by your side, well the pleasure and the privilege is mine."
My other yearbook quote was stolen from an interview I once read in an issue of Star Hits magazine in 1985. Lead singer Morrissey (Steven Patrick Morrissey) stated, "I was just the type of person everyone despises." He summed up how I felt all throughout my school years. The Smiths got me through grades 9-12 and then followed me into college. They guided me through late night writing assignments, weekend parties, crushes, breakups, heartbreak, kisses, late night drives and so much more.
I have always had a soft spot for British bands. I've loved The Smiths since 1986 and although they've been one of my all-time favorite bands, I haven't bothered to attend a Morrissey concert since the early '90s. I will never outgrow or tire of them.
The other day I stumbled upon this blog called The Smiths Project. This chick from California has the most incredibly angelic voice and does choral renditions of Smiths songs. She even performs them live! Why does everything cool have to happen in Cali?
I remember this Smiths video in 10th grade. I'm sure I taped it from 120 Minutes which was a two-hour late night alternative video series MTV aired on Sundays I think.
Is it just me, or does the guy in front look like Rob Pattinson? LOL
ReplyDeleteOh der days when the songs inspired us and our yearbooks!
ReplyDeleteThe Smiths are cool, but I can't stand Morrissey's solo stuff or him for that matter.
ReplyDeleteThis takes me back, Ally. I used to LOVE How Soon is Now--singing along to it, I felt like finally someone GOT me and my lonely angst thing.
ReplyDeleteHow come when I was a lonely teenager crying under the covers to Morrisey's "I am huuuman and I need to be loved," I was unaware of the thousands of other teens doing the same?
I love this! The Smiths are one of my favorite bands of all time. Morrissey is such a talented singer and song-writer.
ReplyDeleteI'm old and must admit I'm not familiar with either. Middle son was a fan of both.
ReplyDeleteI was never cool enough to listen to those bands. I used to rock to Swing Out Sister, Taylor Dayne, and Genesis. Don't judge me.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about them. I heard one of their songs on the radio- How Soon Is Now - and liked that. Maybe I'll go onto You Tube and look into more of their stuff.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm a loser, I don't think I ever heard of them!
ReplyDeleteAnd now *Morrissey* has turned into the kind of rock star we all love to hate...love his music and theirs, though.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say the same thing as aLmYbNeNr HE does look like Rob Pattinson!
ReplyDeleteI have to say I know more of Morisseys stuff than the Smiths...but I do like Meat is Murder and The Queen is Dead...
Ok. I.am.officially.old. (I don't know these dudes)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THE SMITHS!!! AND MORRISSEY!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love that you love them!
Love the Smiths. How Soon Is Now will always be one of my favorite songs forever and ever.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the Smiths. But said in a sulking cannot show enthusiasm for life way that it would sound coming from them. Need to go draw my curtains, put on black smudged eyeliner and brood a while. ~ JerseyDivaMom.
ReplyDeleteI didn't start listening to The Smiths until during college- waay too late in my opinion! I wish my parents had made me listen to them earlier in life, but I love The Smiths and Morrissey's solo work too. Great blog find too!
ReplyDeleteI'm catching up from an MIA weekend.
ReplyDeleteAlly, we are bloggy friends for the best of reasons. LOVE the Smiths. and you're right, it's all about the lyrics.
And I'm sorry, I really am, that kids were so awful to you. It hurts my heart that someone as sweet as you would be reviled.
ReplyDeleteHaha! He does look like Rob Pattinson!
ReplyDeleteWow! That was a flashback! I loved those glasses and hairdos!
ReplyDeleteNot to sound too young, but I had only vaguely heard of the Smiths before. But this video really made me interested. Between those bad ass glasses and the catchy tune, new obsession?
ReplyDeleteJust reading the title of this post had me "girlfriend in a coma, I know, I know, it's serious"
ReplyDeleteLoved The Smiths in high school.
Great. Now I'm going to have to stalk The Smiths Project....
ReplyDeleteI bet Morrissey loves it when people say he looks like Rob Pattinson.... lol
... and if a ten ton truck kills the both of us, to die by your side, well the pleasure and the privilege is mine.
ReplyDeleteone of the all time best lyrics ever.