Это видео недоступно.
Сожалеем об этом.
How Soon is Now - The Smiths | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 4 июл 2021
- Hope you guys enjoyed the video!
- For Business Inquiries : andyandalexofficial@gmail.com
- P.O. BOX Address: 2000 E 12th Ave, Unit 5211 Tampa, FL, 33675
__________________________________________________________________________________________
-Patreon -
For Exclusive Videos RUclips won't allow (Zeppelin, ACDC, Eagles, etc..)
/ andyandalex
__________________________________________________________________________________________
- Social Media Links -
Follow For Updates/ Giveaways !
Instagram: @andyandalexofficial / andyandalexofficial
Facebook: Andy & Alex / andy-alex-162613042419...
-Our Intro Song "Feel the Love" From Alex's band
open.spotify.com/album/4Dao8y...
Finally checking out The Smiths after months of demand….! 🔥
Hoodoo is another name for voodoo.
Making the day better for us in smoke filled Nor Cal
Check out: I Know It's Over, Bigmouth Strikes Again, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out 🙂
Big Smiths fan here. I know some folk (quite often misfits that empathise with the lyrics) that LOVE this track, but I've never really got it. Please don't give up on them on this one trial!
The headmaster ritual, this charming man do MORE FROM THESE GUYS! This is a perfect song to dance to.
Johnny Marr was a truly innovative guitarist, his influence rippled throughout the 80s and 90s. Try "There is a Light That Never Goes Out," truly iconic. "Bigmouth Strikes Again" is one of my favorites as well. The guitar and Morrissey's vocals and lyrics are the Smiths' biggest appeal.
Johnny Marr on guitar and Peter Hook from New Order/Joy Division on bass shone a light of creativity from Manchester that lit up the world, they are both so good.
@@simply_psi Now THAT would be a supergroup! Hooky and Steve Morris, Barney and Johnny Mars, with Morrissey on vox!
LOUDER THAN BOMBS & QUEEN IS DEAD were 2 tapes always in my dual cassette player doing homework in the 80's.
☆Happy music☆Sad lyrics☆
@@cheesefrog646 That would be awesome, maybe squeeze Vini Riley in as joint lead guitarist with Marr, just a shame that the ego's of Barney and Morrissey would not let it happen for long but oh how good it would be.
I would say Bigmouth is the one they would like the most. A lot of changes in dynamics, and such.
This song was meant to be heard in underground night clubs in big cities like London and New York during the 80s. Imagine walking into these smoky underground clubs in NYC Soho area in the 80s, during the punk and new wave era, with people dressed in punk outfits and hairdos, and listening to this music. It was an ambience that can never be recreated again.
Absolutely, it was the best of times, truly
I’m not a diehard Smiths fan, but I think this song is awesome.
🤮
@@Gordy63 grow up
Same with me. This song will be on my favorites playlist forever.
In my opinion as a big Smiths fan, I enjoy this song, but they've got much better stuff! If you care enough, you should give them another go and see if it grows on you. Or not!
@@ijustneedmyself It isn't a particularly representative song for them. I am personally a "Big Mouth Strikes Again" type.
Bringing tears to this old Gen-Xer's eyes once again. So many memories wrapped up in this song. Would love for you guys to jump off from here into the early goth scene. Joy Division, The Cure, Bauhaus, Echo and the Bunnymen, Dead Can Dance... I love the extra end credit scenes, too, by the way
Exactly!
Yup!!!
All I can say was I started high school in 1980 and finished university in 89. What a decade.....
Hope they can handle CERIMONY by NEW ORDER
Amen brother 🙏 ( Lol “ Old Gen-X er” )
Decades later as I approach 60 I still get the chills! A masterpiece. It is hard to explain how transformative this music was at the time. Not unlike when Smells Like Teen Spirit upended music a few years later.
I hear ya ❤️
Yes.. The Smiths singlehandedly destroyed Synthpop in short order. Marr’s soaring guitar paved the way for the rest of the decade. Elite band indeed.
Yes, I was just thinking, this song was groundbreaking and influential in the '80s alternative rock scene, in the same way Teen Spirt was to the '90s alternative rock scene. Both are also timeless classics. Sheer poetry mixed with sonic guitars, both genius, revolutionary tracks.
This song is designed to be hypnotic. The sound is supposed to just wash over you.
Yep, this brings back memories of making out in dorm rooms and cheap wine.
Johnny Marr 💚
Except the youth don't feel, they want instant gratification
thats the vibe i get
This is the type of review you get from non-cerebral people on a cerebral song. I'm not surprised.
The Smiths are in a class by themselves, nobody sounds like them and the lyrics are clever and darkly funny..one of my all time favorite bands, period..their body of work is second to none.
Yeah, they are so not elite class. Many bands are far superior, and have much higher quality catalogs.
@@KWayne6756 I will agree they are not for everyone, people love them or hate them.
@@KWayne6756 It’s all opinion but like them or not The Smiths are very elite, The bands that you find “superior”…I guarantee there’s people that dislike them as much as you dislike The Smiths. It’s musical tastes and opinions.
@@Don1970 I don’t really dislike the smiths, they are just not really elite. They’re ok if you are into 80’s whiner rock.
@@KWayne6756 Lol you’re just too manly. I also listened to bands like the Cro-mags, The Pogues, and Bad Brains back then. To me The Smiths kicked ass in their own way. Definitely in the elite category for what they were doing.
Andy has it right...You had to be there. I think the trancelike, repetitive nature of the song was meant to reflect a sense of monotony, tedium and despair. Wondering if you caught some of the lyrics, which greatly deepen the context of this song. This is one of those songs that you can like or not, and it's still one of the most important songs of that entire decade...
"...was meant to reflect a sense of monotony, tedium and despair." Exactly as living in Manchester felt if you were working class.
@@paulleach3612 I think it kinda feels like that everywhere if you're working class...
@@paulleach3612 Manchester had a peculiar vibe in the late 80s/early 90s. A mix of pride and despair.
This song was an absolute banger in the 90’s at 2am in the dance clubs while rolling on exstacy 😎
Andy got it right. This is alternative 80's dance club music. Can't go wrong with The Cure, The Smiths, The Violent Femmes, Depeche Mode, New Order of this era. This music is a full on vibe! I can still find many clubs in downtown Phoenix where I live that play this music now. It is LOVED by Gen X! ❤❤❤
Violent Femmes "Gone Daddy Gone"
Peter Murphy too!!!
All worthless waste of time music, if you can even call it that
They should do A Forest. Although it's definitely in the "atmospheric" category.
@@Gordy63 Other than the Femmes I agree completely (although a couple Cure songs had good guitar).
Holy crap! You’ve crossed into my territory with the Smiths They are in a class by themselves. For those of us that understand it’s the stuff that still keeps us alive
Love The Smiths! Dangerous stuff!
Amen
Yes!
Context is everything. This band was moody, dark, depressing, even if you weren’t depressed. It was a whole new cultural experience. Morrissey was this A-sexual, eccentric, gay-ish guy, with amazing lyrics. You listened to this on rainy days, drinking Earl Grey tea after college classes. Check out “Panic” and “Sheila Take A Bow.” “There is a light that never goes out” Listen to the lyrics!
He is gay not Asexual. He had to hide his gay in the 80s, because of the Aids epidemic.
Never depressing! Most of Morrisseys lyrics are hilarious.
morrissey wasn't asexual, he was celibate. he's had relations with both men and women
@@rnw2739 Hilariously depressing ;)
The Smiths were essential to young gay men like myself in the 80s. this song still evokes VOLUMES to me. you should've checked out the lyrics. being young, closeted, and the "son and heir of nothing in particular," and "going to a club on your own, and going home alone, and you cry and you want to die..." yeah... "i am human and i need to be loved, just like everybody else does." it was definitely a touchstone.
@JJ X completely normal, haha.
@JJ X 😂😂 I'm not gay either and I don't know what dude up there is talking about hahaha. Love The Smiths!
Well someone is obviously more of a morrissey fan than a smiths fan xD
Frank , Amen 🙏❤️👕👖👓
@JJ X 100% normal , men & women swooned over Morrisey 👓 Morrissey’s lyrics and crooning = Johnny Marr - a true wizard on the guitar 🎸
Trying to wrap your head around a time, style and culture that doesn't exist anymore. I applaud you both.
It exists in some towns of northern England still
@@penderyn8794 Very true!
This is correct.
@@AS-bv6qc What is? That the culture doesn't exist anymore?
@@Katehowe3010 It did back in the day...I remember. This song worked in clubs, in cars and at home.
This is where personal tastes come in as well as being a “first reaction “. Alex doesn’t really seem to be into hypnotic music that doesn’t have multiple sections or traditional song forms, which is fine! Personal tastes! I think Andy does like that sort of style at times, hence the Depeche Mode reference. Starting with The Velvet Underground, much of underground or alternative rock, punk, ambient, atmospheric, noise music, through Bowie, leading to bands like The Smiths, R.E.M, The Stone Rises, etc, incorporates hypnotic sounds, riffs, musical settings to paint pictures. Personally, I can sit and listen to this type of music, it just takes me somewhere in my mind, to another place. I think Andy feels a bit of this with his Floyd affinity, and other psychedelic music as well.
Perfectly described. I hope that they will keep doing stuff like that though, there is a lot to discover, even if Alex will always give low ratings, but those bands all wrote music history as well... adding to the above list I would name The Stooges, The Cure, Joy Division, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Psychedelic Furs, Sonic Youth, Pixies, Hüsker Dü, Spacemen 3, My Bloody Valentine, and also Radiohead. And there are tons more.
Damn, very perceptive. You nailed it with the description as hypnotic music. That music builds an atmosphere you get lost in. Like Echo and the Bunnymen, too. You may have mentioned them but I can't go back without discarding the comment.
Both Alex and Andy get “ lost in the sauce “. Alex mainly has issues with production, as he seems to be doing that. Sounds and textures seem more important to Alex, where Andy isn’t as technical. Which is why they are a great yin and yang team. Andy was smart to get Alex involved. As for hypnotic, I’d love to see them check out Station to Station. That whole record is a trip. Truly takes me places every time I listen.
As for something new wave, modern rock, Planet Claire by the B-52’s would be fun to see them react. That intro is so great, especially when the bass kicks in.
Good points. I am not sure they would appreciate the Velvets' drone and Allex would complain about the drumming. I wonder how they would evaluate Pere Ubu's "The Modern Dance" lp or Joy Division.
They should both check out Radiohead they are a good mix of what you described plus a more interesting, at least if you are into theory, musicality almost proggy sometimes with a lot of great tracks they were big fans of the Smiths.
You MUST do 'Under The Milky Way' by The Church. A definitive, 'god tier', incredible song from the 80's!
Totally agree! One of my favorite 80’s tunes.
Yes! Amazing song!
Yes! Fly the Australian flag! 🇦🇺
Reptile by the Church.
yes
And give 'em props: this song didn't sound like ANYTHING on the radio way back then...
To each his own. It didn’t impress me at all just like MC5 didn’t. Need some Talking Heads (“Same as it ever was”)or Devo ( “We are not men”).
@@group-music we are Devo.
Remain In Light is a stunning album. Talking Heads were amazing. Nothing sounded like them. Gang of Four were more influential as well, but not radio friendly.
If you put up a poll for people who grew up on alternative 80's music, this song would probably be voted as the best song from that era. I totally get why others might not get that as it is so atmospheric in a depressed vibe kind of way, but it's legendary in its niche.
This song is consistently rated top tier (top three) of mid 80s-early 90s “alternative” songs.
I grew up on a lot of 80s alt and wouldn't even put this in my top 50 LOL, but you do you, we all have our opinions. I was much more into The Cure, Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, New Order, even Erasure and General Public and B52s. I never got on The Smith's bandwagon. But people are free to like what they like :-)
They actually did include it in a poll not quite a year ago. It finished at a distant second to The Clash. The other contenders were The Stone Roses and The Sex Pistols.
@@paulsiebeneicher4536 personally I've always loathed the Smiths. Particularly Morrissey. I like Johnny Marr's guitar and solo stuff. But if Morrissey asked me how soon is now the answer would be never hehe
I think The Cure - Just Like Heaven and The Church - Under The Milky Way would probably come out on top in such a poll.
The song you would have been dancing in the club to in the mid 80's for 7 and a half minutes would have been "Blue Monday" by New Order.
Yes. Yes, it would. Wonder how they'd like that song?
Exactly. I never heard How Soon is Now playing at dance clubs. New Order definitely
In the late '80s and early 1990s I heard both extensively at the clubs. I suppose it would have been dependent on the DJ's tastes.
Which is a JAM!
Oh yeah 🙌
There are about eight different guitar sounds in this song all being added removed, interleaved at different times. So many details to the playing, and the bass as well. The echo effect that permeates from beginning to end is one of the most meticulously crafted guitar sounds ever and took them literally days upon days in the studio to achieve. The song structure is also amazing, as it both has this feel on one unending groove, with lots of space between vocals at times, then sudden shifts and bursts of energy all tied to singer's angst, yet without disrupting the groove. It has masterful use of dynamics, meticulous soundscape crafting, emotion, and is one of the most influential songs of all time. It creates a sonic world unlike anything that came before it. It's a whole different approach to song structure and soundscape.
Brilliant analysis!
What he said !!!! ☝🏼
More Smiths please
It was a Sunday morning in 1984 at 3 am when I was 18. I was in a death trap of an after hours warehouse dance club standing near the wall of speakers when that tune was played. To this day I am still in love with the power of the sound that song generates.
Similar impact on me, though much later at an after hours indie disco at the Shiiine on festival in Minehead a few years ago. This came on loud and it was the first time I'd heard it. Just fantastic and strangely funky in a dark, melancholy way!
With the Smiths it is about feeling trapped in a dark, polluted town in the late 70s/early 80s. Of walking around trying to find meaning. Feeling like no one understands you. Wanting something so great. Try Hand In Glove, Girl Afraid, You’ve Got Everything Now, Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want. Morrissey had a brilliant way of capturing teen angst and mordant frustration. Andy, you’re starting to see the bigger picture, and looking at context. I appreciate the depth.
I agree. Not all 80's music is horrid and trite. Much of the lyrics were on the darker side but played with brighter music setting an interesting juxtaposition. And I agree Andy---It's easy to get into the groove of this song. It's not about begin blown away by the guitar, like with Led Zep, or the effects, like with Floyd.
Girlfriend in a Coma; Cemetery Gates
@@foxandscout Yes. The songs I listed are just a few that came to mind while typing. There are too many excellent Smiths songs to list.
"The rain falls hard on a humdrum town... this town has dragged you down..."
Who knew that within a couple years, England's equivalent of Cleveland would become the center of the pop-culture universe.
@@Guy_de_Loimbard Very true
"How Soon" is The Smiths' "Kashmir" - it's a groove - you've only cracked the surface of what The Smiths are:
👉 The Queen Is Dead
👉 Girl Afraid
👉 Bigmouth Strikes Again
And the Smiths fans here knew "How Soon" was the wrong intro to your fellas' taste.
Call me morbid call me pale, I 've spent 6 years on your trail...
@@gallia6429 And if you have 5 seconds to spare than I'll tell you the story of my life...
Dude they do that all the time. It's a gimmick.
Perfectly stated "how soon is now" is the smiths "Kashmir". Perfect analogy
How soon is now is definitely one of the most hypnotic songs I’ve ever listened too! I remember dancing to this song at prom and just being in my own headspace even though I was dancing with my prom date! She loved it too! And yes I got lucky later that evening…
We listened to this on repeat. We loved wallowing in the depression of it all. This song sounded like nothing else at the time. An anthem of a generation.
Rain is PERFECT for listening to The Smiths!
Agreed!
Well they do come from Manchester where it always rains (according to everybody English who isn't from Manchester).
Getting ready to watch but pretty sure this ain’t your jam…Smiths aren’t for everyone. I love this song personally but it was my time period!
Exactly my thoughts! I’m an 80’s gal and love the Smiths, but I can’t imagine A&A will be into it.
Ditto
My absolute favourite Smith's song.
Long live Morrissey!!!
You are so right! I tried to get them back in the day, but didn’t. Not sure what happened to the 2 CD’s I bought 👎🏼
An anthem band for the misunderstood. Every 80s teen movie soundtrack.
Life soundtrack
Amen Joe 🥰
The Smiths were absolutely phenomenal. There was a lot of great music at the time but the Smiths had a really raw edge to them. They are still one of my top 3 favourite bands.
As a teenage introvert, this song always spoke to me. It was just comforting knowing that someone out there knew exactly how I felt along with "On the Outside" by Oingo Boingo. I get how extrovert people just would not like this song.
Oingo Boingo must be reacted to!
“Atmospheric” is the perfect word to describe this song. And it’s an anthem for those of us who were in high school in the ‘80s. But if you do get around to more by The Smiths, you should check out the song “Panic”. It’s catchier, shorter, and tighter.
🥰
When I first heard “How Soon is Now?” In 1985, with the weird, black and white, and distorted video, as a teenager I had never heard or seen anything like it. The Smiths, along with R.E.M at that time, changed my entire paradigm for what music and art could be
@@johnramsell8078 it had that same impact on me, as well.
@@allisonreed7682 Same
@@marktait2371 what great memories! I’m glad that your DJ friend found humor in the “Hang the DJ” refrain. I’ve always imagined that DJs would’ve found it a bit unsettling. 😆 The lyrics come off a bit dark for such an uptempo song. Visiting all of the places mentioned in the song had to be such a cool experience!
This is an iconic song, everyone from that era knows it from the 1st note. I listened to this whole album over and over in college
Brohams, give The Smiths 1 more try before closing the door on them. This song is actually atypical of anything else they produced, their one anthem that’s great on an open road at night. To hear their skill (great guitarist) and quirkiness (lead singer Morrissey is strangely introspective), try any of these: Bigmouth Strikes Again, Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before, This Charming Man or Rubber Ring.
+1 for Bigmouth Strikes Again
This was the song that made me want to check out The Smiths. In the US this was stuck on the "Meat is Murder" album. You say this song was atypical of the band, and I agree. I loathed the rest of that album, and How Soon is Now is where I stopped. There is only so much depression and self-loathing I can tolerate and they exceeded that by the second song on side 1 of that album.
CCR wasn't born on the bayou either. They were from California.
I was going to say the same thing!
And not even L.A. like Little Feat. CCR was from the Bay Area.
I think Berkley
Dammit. Had no idea. Then again, that makes them more genius, I think lol
LMAO!
The Smiths are a genuinely legendary UK group, very influential
massively influential. Radiohead cite them constantly.
Greatest of their great songs, that intro, the riff and Morrissey's voice. The guitar riff is as catchy as Robert Fripps riff in Heroes. Another great riff is the killing moon riff.
The Smiths weren't around for very long, but they made a HUGE impact. The guitar in this was sampled by a band called Soho for their hit song "Hippie Chick." The lead singer, Morrissey, went on to have a great solo career. The guitarist, Johnny Marr, was in a "super group" in the 1990s consisting of him, the lead singer of New Order (Bernard Sumner,) and the lead singer of Pet Shop Boys (Neil Tennant,) and he also played with The Pretenders for a time, and Modest Mouse in the 2000s. Thanks for reacting to this classic, and for all that you guys do for all of us! ~Be Blessed
Absolutely iconic from 83-87! Johnny Marr is an underrated songwriting and guitar genius!!!
There's also a good chance they've heard the Love Spit Love remake that was used in the film The Craft and the TV show Charmed, even if just in passing - just speaking on not only the impact but where the guys were finding the opening riff familiar.
Modest Mouse advertised for a “Johnny Marr style” guitarist. So he turned up for the audition.
Unfortunately MARR was with the Pretenders for a cup of coffee - two songs only - and still the best shit they did that decade - no one could replace Honeymann Scott, but Marr was a helluva a brief substitute. MARR in that super group - made some great music. Marr was also in some other band you forgot, who stunk, and people were surprised why he joined them.....
"Slow Emotional Replay" by The The w/Johnny Marr is a great song! The guitar is very Smiths-like!
11:47 Andy: This song is good as long as you don't listen to it
Harsh 🤣
😆😂🤣
Unfunny jokester! Get back to yer Shalamar.
@@maryklacik5358 Easily pleased aren't you!
Christian Adams Yes I am Christian. It doesn’t take much. 😁
Totally went over Alex's head this one. It is meant to be nagging and relentless, like a walk through a grungy run down industrial city streets in the rain in the grey of the Winter.
In a club in a converted disused warehouse the 80's in said city this was magical, Andy gets it completely.
Ever heard of the Hacienda Alex? Only biggest music scene in the world at the time where the Smiths performed LOL.
I was in grad school when this came out, and a few of us were in one of our offices arguing about diagonalizing a Hamiltonian or something, and this came on the radio. All conversation stopped and we just sat and started at the radio and listened. When it finished, we just looked at each other like, "Wow, something just happened." This is one of those songs that stops traffic, grabs your head, and won't let go. Amazing piece of music.
Loved hearing that Andy is a Depeche Mode fan. Perhaps he could pick a song for Alex to hear for the first time. ~Be Blessed
First album: Dreaming of Me
@@CCDzine Violator's a great one too. Music for Masses too
“Music for the Masses” or “Some Great Reward”
Huge Smiths and DP fan! I think anything off of Violater or Music for the Masses would be awesome
Ugh! Citing the later Depeche Mode albums is the stuff of mass-media naivete. I'm not one of those who summarily reject works with wide appeal, often it is the best work of the act. But that is not the case with Depeche Mode. If you don't grasp the appeal of the early albums, particularly the synth-pop genius of Vince Clark, whose influence lived well beyond his early departure, then you don't truly understand what Depeche Mode did.
If you were from the 80s and you went to any club this song would be playing. These guys have a truck load of songs and their songs are amazing. You should do more songs by these guys This charming man, the headmaster ritual is cool too love those songs.
I agree. This probably wouldn’t have been the song I’d use to introduce them to The Smiths. Hopefully they’ll check out some more stuff.
I was in college '83-'87 and must have heard this or danced to.it a thousand times. Never gets old.
Apparently we went to different clubs!
@toronto daddy um, no Seattle. Just was more into Rock. No biggie.
@@susanfinn3699 depends on what side of town you were on, Susan. Lol
Perfect song to listen to in the rain! Atmospheric, hypnotic vibe. The Smiths were huge for me back in the day and later, Morrissey's solo work. Thanks for tackling this one, guys.
Mid/late 80’s college radio staple. Iconic Gen-X alt track. 😎
Fell in love with the band while in college in the late 80s. I am still amazed at the huge influence they have today with only 4 ‘proper’ albums in 5 years of existence. I have been very lucky to have seen J Marr and Morrissey in concert.
This is widely regarded as the best song from the 80's and one of the best songs of all time.
It's the More Than a Feelin' of the genre.
I totally agree. Awesome Smiths, Morrisey and Marr.
Only if you are looking for sad boy music being sad…
Sometimes a song finds that perfect groove and you just ride it. If this tune were 10 minutes long it would still be too short. Why? JOHNNY fucking MARR!!!
PREACH!!
The Smiths had so many great songs! "How Soon Is Now?" is like my thirtieth-favorite Smiths song.
The Cure would be a good choice to follow up this.
I am not sure I want to watch these two kids bash the Cure. Already watched them bash Tom Petty, The Cult and the Smiths. What will they observe about Robert Smith?
@@TheAsiavol Well, he did have nice eye makeup. Seriously though, the Cure had more listenable tunes than the Smiths.
Yeah, if Andy likes Depeche Mode, he will dig the Cure. I say Pictures of You.,
@@loosilu didn't they react to Lullaby? if not I'm sure they'd dig that
Boys Don't Cry. That has to be it, doesn't it? Okay, maybe In Between Days or Why Can't I Be You?
Never clicked so fast on a reaction before but never been so disappointed! The Smiths were my saviours when I moved to London and craved some northern comfort. It is all about context with this track though; towards the end of the night in a packed club this song is euphoric. There's also some cool back story to it too. Would you have guessed that the main influence on this song was Bo Diddley? Anyway, keep it up guys and please give the Smiths another chance!
You are right, they just don't get it. The song, the lyrics, the vibe... The song just can't be sampled like a normal song. You are spot on... to be back in the late 80s in a dark club (Aztek in Philadelphia), close to the end of the night, and to have this come on... those are my fondest memories... sometimes my last memories until my friends would wake me up the next morning... wondering how we all got home...
There's a club if you'd like to go
You could meet somebody who really loves you
So you go and you stand on your own
And you leave on your own
And you go home and you cry
And you want to die
@mags jay I kind of get it though. For example, I have no love for the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young etc because I can't relate to the culture or references. The Smiths are such an English band, it can be hard to relate to them. Not that South Americans have that issue!
That Bo Diddly Beat…
This type of music kept me sane in San Francisco. I was going to college, all the while dealing with personal problems and trying to study.......I remember discovering The Smiths on college radio, it was amazing! I didn't have the money or time to go much to the clubs, but I loved hearing them!
Bo Diddley AND Sister Loretta Thorpe. She - yeah, she - invented rock guitar. Look her up.
I didn't think it would happen. I actually found a reaction channel that gives reactions both positive and negative. Very refreshing. As far as this song? It was my childhood anthem.
As an outcast in the public high school system when this song came out, it TOTALLY spoke to me.
It is deep and TRUE in its atmospheric depiction of the loneliness and depression and despair that a young, outcast person feels in that situation.
High school, surrounded by hundreds of happy, or at least blissfully ignorant, people. You feel like a SHADOW of a human being. And for the most part, you are treated like even less all because you don't fit into any of their 'niches'
.....you are not physically adept, so sports is out
..... you are not handsome enough or beautiful enough to fit into those groups
.....you are not even smart enough to fit in with the "geek" group
.....you are not confident enough in your social aptitude to make any kind of inroads for yourself
.....you step back into the shadows and cling to the day when you escape that HELL that is the American high school
Then a lush, atmospheric, lyrically intelligent song comes along and throws you a lifeline.....HEY! You are not alone!
THIS...This is what this song meant to me and as far as being too long or too short.....I solemnly assure you that there were MANY times that I would rewind that cassette tape and play it over and over and over again...
You tell the truth. There is a reason that the A-Z book on the Smiths songs is called "Songs that Saved Your Life". {a great read!}
I wish I could like this comment 100 times! I never felt like I fit in, I went to Highschool in Mexico, but never fit in with any clique. Then I discovered The Smiths/Morrissey, The Cure, Depeche Mode and it was a total lifeline for me. Especially The Smiths, I'm still a weirdo who doesn't fit in, but I'm just a lot more comfortable with it now and I owe a lot of that to The Smiths
Definitely didn’t expect to see the smiths on this channel but definitely excited
Imagine being a lonely, depressed teen in the 80s when the popular music is Michael Jackson, Hall and Oates, Bruce Springsteen. The world doesn't understand you, girls won't talk to you. Then you hear this song. The Smiths are very much a band for people who think they are outside the mainstream. It's not for everyone, and that's okay. Pretty much all indie music of the time was for people who couldn't stand Bon Jovi. Now almost 30 years later, divorced from that context, it just sounds like an overly long 80s song.
That wasn't the case, my guy.
During the 80s, the Smiths were party music we all used to drink and smoke seedy, stemmy, weed to.
@@kellyc2425 It may not have been the case for you and your friends, but it was the case for millions.
It lets you get lost in the sauce of your own mind. This is a background soundtrack type song. it's interesting enough if you pay attention, but the mood it sets is more important.
You must hav3 been into Talking Heads too?
No it doesn't! It was a unique six minute mantra then, and still is to this day.
Big up for Andy Rourke, the bass player, the glue that holds so much of The Smiths songs together.
Pouring here too in Florida waiting for the tropical storm here. This is my favorite Smiths song. This song is intense.. Wow can really hear the thunder
OH my god YOU finally DID IT!!! i didnt think you would actually do it Let me recommend This Charming Man, The Headmaster Ritual, There is a light that never goes out, Hand in glove these guys have so many great songs LOads of Hits, only around for 5 years. Morrissey and Johnny Marr one of the best due in rock music.
Girlfriend in a Coma!
@toronto daddy I’m a mega smiths fan. Love every song every album, except for golden lights. Every time you hum a smiths song in my head I end up singing like morrissey 🤣
@toronto daddy They had well known songs technically not essitentally hits but their songs were and still are big enough to be hailed as hits. Even though only their studio albums were in the charts. Not so much singles in the top 10. Morrissey has alot of hits though.
@@loosilu Yes, "Girlfriend in a Coma"!! That song was my first Smiths song and made me want to check them out! 😺
@@catbutte4770 "There were times when I could
Have murdered her
But you know, I would hate
Anything to happen to her" Classic Morrissey dark humor
Love Johnny Marr & his guitar work. He's another guy who can play.
Johnny Marr is a genius, guitar as well as songwriter!
Guitar genius? are you freakin kidding me? Then David Gilmore, Alex Leifson, jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, etc are what?
@@Gordy63 hmmmm, must have missed the comment saying that they weren't. Genius comes in many flavors.
Alex would fit in perfectly in the 80s. He has the hair, of course, but you know how many people in the 80s hated bands like The Smiths and touted "real" rock like Zeppelin? A lot, including me. But I've grown up and realize The Smiths are brilliant. And I still love LZ.
I knew Alex wouldn’t get it. Andy rules!
Andy does rule
My husband in college had a roommate that hated The Smiths. They also had a lot of parties. They came up with a secret party code. At the end of the night if you heard a Smith’s song playing that was the signal that the party was over. Grab your shit and go. (Usually Girlfriend in a Coma) Also if you heard George Thorogood it meant they needed someone for a beer run.
I love Girlfriend in a Coma!
foxandscout Sorry Fox. To 80’s college guys, this was a party killer.
Ha! I love Girlfriend in a Coma, too, but that would have to be a party killer for sure
Opposite for me. The Smiths all night long. Also, if I hear G. Thorogood I immediately want to stab myself if the ears with long sharp objects.
That's very very funny to me
This number is sort of an anomaly for The Smiths. It’s the only one that’s so trancelike and protracted. The rest are way tighter.
True. They have much tighter songs than this one. That guitar slide is what has made this song endure, I think. And the lyrics for the lonely.
I'd say Meat is Murder is pretty hypnotic. And unsettling as fuck.
You should listen to Southpaw that’s long and even meanders into prog territory
This. Came here to say this.
Some people were high on the pop of the 80s, some people were hiding in their basements, escaping their subdivisions in xanadu, and some threw on headphones to cross the pond and flee to the new order.
It’s so English like me. I get it. It’s in my soul. It’s English soul music. Every deprecating sound and word. It’s English and I might be proud.
If you're going to head into eighties alternative you should take a poll. If you're going to pick up REM, take a poll there too.
So much to choose from with R.E.M. Finest Worksong. South Central Rain, Begin the Begin, Orange Crush, End of the World as We Know it. Anything EXCEPT Losing my Religion.
@@frankmarsh1159 I am completely on board with everything you said including skipping Losing My Religion. I do think going back as far as South Central rain would be the way to go but can also get behind finest work song
I think Stipe called Fall on Me their best song. As good a place to start as any.
@@frankmarsh1159 I think when it comes to REM songs, the one I love is The One I Love.
@@RobtBlond
wolves, lower
Arguably the greatest alternative rock anthem of all and Alex missed the boat completely. Oh well.
Oh no, he got it completely. This song was pathetically bad.
@@Gordy63 Why so serious?
You’re right @CamyGee - music is very subjective - different strokes for different folks.
@@Gordy63 Ok Boomer
I havent heard this song in too long. It's a classic!
The Smiths were a phenomenal band back in the day... and y'all called it, when the dj's started playing "How Soon is Now" the atmosphere in the club changed, it was experience. Hearing their music and those lyrics while on the dance floor was almost hypnotic.
If you listened to this while driving, you would end up crashing into a tree, and not remembering how you got there.
You would actually steer towards the tree to make it go away fast!
Andy gets it. It's meant for dance clubs/alternative clubs
Or for FM radio, where the DJs
burnt out from the 60s, and say in a droning monotone things like, " Far out man. That was a ripper, Groovy."
As long as everyone else is suggesting alternative Smiths songs to consider, I'll toss in one that succinctly captures their essence but appears to have been mostly overlooked: "William It Was Really Nothing"
I second that emotion! Classic track
For me that's the track I immediately think of when the smiths are mentioned. Its just impossible to think of another band even trying that.
The 80's nihilist sound at it's best. Johnny Marr is seriously underrated by rock guitarists.
i dont think he is.. he just never met as great a lyricist again
"I was looking for a job and then I found a job / And heaven knows I'm miserable now." I'm not a huge Smiths fan, but that's one of my favourite lines ever (especially in the context of the song).
Hey! I just posted the same thing. Great minds....
"And I'm not happy and I'm not sad"
And the strange dust lands on your hands and your face
At last! The Smiths! That band (and Morrissey) have been the most important, influential band in my life since the 80s. The entire album "The Queen is Dead" is amazing. "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" is a masterpiece. Alex, please don't judge their whole catalog on this one song. I kind of have the same reaction to "How Soon is Now" even thought I'm a big fan. There is so much more.
Agree. How Soon Is Now is an iconic song, but not the song I'm turning to when I want to hear the Smiths.
For me, it's Radiohead. But I get you.
The Smiths were a “Vibe”, you either loved them or you didn’t. I DID!! Dangerously different productions with lyrics that were bitingly sarcastic (Girlfriend In A Coma ..for example). Definitely a 80s standard in the Alternative Category.
This is kind of punk, but most "goth" kids listened to this as well. My favorite Smith's song is Panic. Their lyrics are always amazing though - the song There Is a Light That Never Goes Out is a good one and Girlfriend in a Coma. The contrasts in the lyrics and Morrisey's voice are all great.
SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU DOING THIS SONG!!!! ONE OF MY FAVORITES!!!!!!!!!
This is one of the songs that defined the 80’s. Great choice.
I cannot WAIT to see you guys react to The Smiths' "There is a Light That Never Goes Out".
SERIOUSLY.
I was a little kid when this was big in the 80's. Everyone got into The Smiths for a while there, even my older brothers who were into hard Rock but then converted to Punk/New Wave.
Meditative is a good description. Next, check out The Cure.
A forest
@@alanhynd7886 Excellent song choice!
I'd go for Pictures of You.
It's got to be Just Like Heaven for me.
The whole Disintegration album is amazing.
My favourite Smiths song…….❤️
Tuesday night in the 80s at BGSU was "progressive night" at a bar called Uptown. They played alternative/goth/new wave/ progressive.... And...this song was playing... guaranteed!! Andy's right on the "atmosphere" & mood of this song. You get bands like Inxs, REM, The Smithereens, Depeche Mode, Modern English, Simply Red...etc, etc...at this bar.
Thank you Andy! You get it! This song is hypnotic. Love you guys! 💖
Andy is right in that they are a mood or an atmosphere more than just for intently listening. But, many people really get into the lyrics and the plaintive wailings as an outlet for their angst. Lyrically, it's always been one of those things where he says one thing, "I am the son and the heir," but so many people take it as something else, "I am the Sun and the air." Morrissey liked to write very poetically and with double meanings and hidden meanings quite a bit.
I've always loved that opening line.
This song was heavily produced to be unique. That's why they hardly ever played it live. Johnny Marr, co-writer and guitarist, said he wanted to make a song with an intro that was as distinct and powerful as the intro to ""Layla". He said he wanted an intro so unique and memorable that as soon they played the first notes, everyone in the club would know what song it was. Yeah, it worked.
Sorry, but that was a definite fail then, 10 seconds into Layla and you know that it's something very special.
@@pauldover1403 I believe it did work. Everyone that knows 80s music knows this intro. And we did know in the clubs when we heard that first reverb/tremelo chord!
Man you're absolutely spot on about the feel and context of this song. As one who was your age during the early and mid 80s that and many other tunes of those pop, new wave and alternative days really set an exciting tone in colleges, record stores, clubs, bars and concerts... the whole music scene in general. One of the most exciting times in music history.Thanks for the excellent review.
It’s not for working to and it’s not for driving to; it’s for sitting in your bedroom, alone, and weeping to.
They are so well-versed in 60s and 70s classic rock now, they expect the same journey through a song. With lower key beginning where you may not know where a song is going, and a building crescendo, a frenzied guitar solo, and a return to the chorus etc. By the time this song came along, people looked back on 60s and 70s rock with a bit of an eye roll because it had become sort of a cliched or somewhat corny formula. I was a child of the eighties and so I remember this time. Of course, I love 60s and 70s rock - it was a time in American culture where our consciousness took a huge leap from the sweetness of fifties popular music. I guess every era of music had its place and time and was often a departure in ideas from the preceding era. Anyways, when this song came out we loved that it had such a tight controlled and moody vibe throughout the entire track. It seemed bold and cheeky at the time.
This is a great comment. They are indeed looking for boxes to check (I’m borrowing this from another subscriber, Peter Q. - insightful Pete!). Does the song have enough guitar, drums, etc.? Also does it follow the traditional formula of a song? They’re not quite prepared to hear something that doesn’t check the boxes. In order to connect with something unique and different, they just need to keep listening to different styles and genres. It’s what makes us all more open minded and well rounded.
@@susanklasinski1805 So much yes to all of this!
I love what you guys do. You always have smart insightful things to say even when you're wrong.
Wow, this takes me back to the mid-80's and one of my best friends in my ARMY unit. This was always playing in his barracks room and it was very new to me. I often wonder where he is now and hope he is doing well. But the song is like an instant flashback.
I can’t believe you did this song, so proud of you! & reacted exactly as expected 😂 Alex, this is out of your wheelhouse. I could tell you were expecting a big tempo change or something like that. Andy, the Floydishness, & now knowing you like Depeche Mode, 👍. The Smiths are a love em or hate em band, & I love em. No matter how dour the song there is always a little Brit humor. You’re astute to note that this is not a sit-down-and-listen-with-water song. But for me, it IS an awesomely cool song for driving .. cruising along by yourself .. at night .. on the way to and/or on the way home from a night out. Andy, check out more Smiths.
Hey guys thanks for the reaction...... IGGY POP and the STOOGES next please.... quality production
This charming man, please. Or any of the singles.
I mean, what difference does it make?
Love this song! I usually like to listen while driving at night with the windows down - it is totally a mood!
“I am the sun, I am the heir of a shyness that is criminally vulgur.”
People who were never depressed introverts are not going to understand this song.
The " Meat is murder" album is very good, the album you should get into is " The Queen is dead". Hey, if you're not into them its cool, I'm56, I grew up on this, Depeche Mode, New Order, Yaz, The Smiths, were, are, a class above a lot of bands of their era.
Definitely time to do the Cure.
Thanks for finally hitting The Smiths Gents! I think context is really important when listening to them, they really spoke to outsiders. Morrissey's lyrics can be depressing, funny and sublime all within the same song, voice like butter. Johnny Marrs is a huge influence on many a modern guitar player. Going forward Id recommend Big Mouth Strikes Again, Headmaster Ritual, I Know It's Over, Rubber Ring, This Charming Man and Shakespeare's Sister. Please don't give up on them! This particular song is great to just chill to, especially on a rainy evening, in a contemplative mood. ✌❤🎶
Funny. Thank you. Why do so few people see the humor in Morrissey's lyrics, and even in his vocal style? I think the Smiths are hilarious, and clever, and they can bang out a straightforward rock song too. And Andy Rourke is the boss on the bass!
@@burmajones803 I think Brits get Morrissey's sense of humor. I'm American but grew up on a steady stream of British comedy (Monty Python, Faulty Towers, Black Adder, etc), so I got the humour in it right away. I think Americans that have an affinity for British culture, music and humour really get The Smiths. Totally agree about Andy Rourke- I always enjoy a bassist who has a good sense of melody.
I just left something like this under another of Eric’s comments. Morrissey is my favorite songwriter mainly because of how biting and sarcasticly witty he is. Not a lot of people get that and call him depressing, but some of us are in on the secret joke. Gen X especially. Our coping mechanism is humor in the face of dispair.
@@susanklasinski1805 Very well said! Gen-X dealt with our angst in such a unique way, dark humour being a big one
@@junietunes2148 truth! Dark humor. It was how you coped in the post-Vietnam, post-Watergate, nuclear missle escalation era.
Welp...you’ve done The Smith’s, now you have to do Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famers, The Cure. Pioneers of Alt Rock and Goth Rock, but managed to touch on every genre in between. Try the perfect pop song, ”Just Like Heaven” or go dark with “One Hundred Years”. You’ll love the guitar work of the latter.
“I am human and I need to be loved, just like everybody else does!”