Albums that Saved My Life (maybe yours too) -- #1

It was the third effort from Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Mike Joyce, and Andy Rourke known as The Smiths. Tensions were high in the band and so were expectations. It was released in the UK in June of 1986. By this time Morrissey and Johnny Marr were beginning to clash and by the end of the tour for the record they rarely spoke. However, this record stands as proof that when things get rough it can breed amazing creativity. Morrissey, by this time, was getting lots of press, interviews, and criticisms about the band, their direction, and most often the interpretations of Morrissey's lyrics.

Critical Tracks:The first track, "The Queen is Dead" begins with a little snippet from one of Morrissey's favorite films and then Mike Joyce's violent drumbeat which fuels the songs throughout. It's definitely one of the hardest rocking Smiths songs in their catalog. Morrissey asks himself the question, "Has the world changed? Or have I changed?" He also goes onto recognize that "Life is very long when you're lonely."

"Frankly, Mr. Shankly" I believe is one of Morrissey's responses to the media about his life and his goals. He makes his intentions very clear that "I'd rather be famous, than righteous or holy, any day."

"I Know It's Over" is probably my favorite track on this record. As all of Morrissey's lyrics can be, this one seems to be the most brutal. Can you imagine saying, "Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head"? To me this song is such a sound scape of how I felt some of my years in high school. I felt very lonely, vulnerable, very "oh! woe is me!" I went through a lot of stuff high school (which most of you probably did as well)."It's so easy to laughIt's so easy to hateIt takes guts to be gentle and kindOver, overLove is natural and realBut not for you, my love"These lyrics always kind of amazed me too.

Something really cool about "Never Had No One Ever" is that the ending of the song carries melodies from the beginning of Igor Stravinsky's "Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring)."

"The Boy With a Thorn in His Side" is best explained when Margi Clarke asked Morrissey if this song was inspired by Oscar Wilde and Morrissey replied: "No that's not true. The thorn is the music industry and all those people who never believed anything I said, tried to get rid of me and wouldn't play the records. So I think we've reached a stage where we feel: if they don't believe me now, will they ever believe me? What more can a poor boy do?" Fantastic guitar rhythms by Johnny Marr as well. Insanely catchy.

"Cemetry Gates" is a track where Morrissey professes his love for authors like Oscar Wilde and Elizabeth Smart. Another great effort from Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke as well.

"There is a Light that Never Goes Out" has been said to be the epitome of The Smiths songs. What a strange but beautiful love song this is. I hope someday I meet someone that I can turn to and say "if a double-decker bus, Crashes into us--to die by your sideIs such a heavenly way to die.And if a ten-ton truckKills the both of usTo die by your sideWell, the pleasure - the privilege is mine." Even though, Morrissey was not in love at this time as far as I know.

As any record I would ever put in this catagory, EVERY track is critical and demands praise. I just wanted to highlight those ones. The other songs provide for a great indie-pop record and truly one of the best albums ever recorded.

So why did this save my life you ask?Well, obviously, I went into it a little bit with "I Know it's Over" and that theme plays out a lot for the rest of the tracks. When I was in high school and even earlier I had been collecting records since I was 5 and The Smiths always remained "a best kept secret" even though they had already broken up when I was 4! Many of these songs just hit me at the right time. I confided myself in "There is a Light that Never Goes Out," "Cemetry Gates," "I Know It's Over," or "Frankly, Mr. Shankly." I just knew what Morrissey was saying as if we were holding a conversation. I recently saw Morrissey in May in Milwaukee and it was life-altering! It was just fantastic. I didn't make it on stage but I tried and I hope someday to at least get a hug or handshake...

Tracklisting:1) The Queen is Dead2) Frankly, Mr. Shankly3) I Know It's Over4) Never Had No One Ever5) Cemetry Gates6) Bigmouth Strikes Again7) The Boy With a Thorn in His Side8) Vicar in a Tutu9) There is a Light That Never Goes Out10) Some Girls are Bigger Than Others