![]() ![]() The Smiths’ non- rhythm-and-blues, whiter-than-white fusion of 1960s rock and postpunk was a repudiation of contemporary dance pop, a stance emblazoned in the hit single “Panic,” with its controversial chorus, “Burn down the disco / Hang the blessed DJ.” After 1986’s The Queen Is Dead, their most perfect balance of private angst and public anger, the Smiths-frustrated at the failure of their singles to hit the top 10-abandoned Rough Trade for the marketing muscle of the major label EMI (in the United States they remained with Sire Records). But Morrissey’s “woe-is-me” posture inspired some hostile critics to dismiss the Smiths as “miserabilists.”Īfter their brilliant eponymous debut and the sparkling radio-session collection Hatful of Hollow (both released in 1984), the Smiths released Meat Is Murder (1985), an uneven album ranging from the ponderous title track’s vegan rage to the poignant “Well I Wonder.” The group’s marked shift from the personal to the political, combined with Morrissey’s carefully fashioned outsider image, made the Smiths into champions for those alienated by Tory materialism and disgusted by its pop music reflection (glossy, lyrically inane funk and soul). hits, notably “ This Charming Man” and “ What Difference Does It Make?” Morrissey’s flamboyant stage presence, forlorn croon, and compellingly conflicted persona (loudly proclaimed celibacy offset by coy hints of closeted homosexuality) made him a peculiar heartthrob, and songs such as “Still Ill” sealed his role as spokesman for disaffected youth. With drummer Joyce and bassist Rourke completing the lineup, the band burst onto the Manchester scene and quickly won a cult following with sessions recorded for British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) radio, live shows, and the plangent folk-punk of their debut single, “ Hand in Glove.” Signed to the prominent independent label Rough Trade, the Smiths scored several U.K. Prime exponents of British alternative rock, the Smiths were based around the unlikely partnership of singer-lyricist Morrissey (a reclusive bookworm inspired as much by Oscar Wilde as by his glam-rock heroes the New York Dolls) and budding guitar hero Marr. 1963, Manchester), and drummer Mike Joyce (b. October 31, 1963, Manchester), bassist Andy Rourke (b. May 22, 1959, Manchester, England), guitarist Johnny Marr (original name John Maher b. The original members were lead singer Morrissey (original name Steven Patrick Morrissey b. The Smiths, one of the most popular and critically acclaimed English bands of the 1980s. ![]() SpaceNext50 Britannica presents SpaceNext50, From the race to the Moon to space stewardship, we explore a wide range of subjects that feed our curiosity about space!.Learn about the major environmental problems facing our planet and what can be done about them! Saving Earth Britannica Presents Earth’s To-Do List for the 21st Century.Britannica Beyond We’ve created a new place where questions are at the center of learning.100 Women Britannica celebrates the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment, highlighting suffragists and history-making politicians.COVID-19 Portal While this global health crisis continues to evolve, it can be useful to look to past pandemics to better understand how to respond today.Student Portal Britannica is the ultimate student resource for key school subjects like history, government, literature, and more.Demystified Videos In Demystified, Britannica has all the answers to your burning questions.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.#WTFact Videos In #WTFact Britannica shares some of the most bizarre facts we can find.Britannica Classics Check out these retro videos from Encyclopedia Britannica’s archives.Britannica Explains In these videos, Britannica explains a variety of topics and answers frequently asked questions. ![]()
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