Big fan of The Smiths and Mozza later, up until these days. The Smiths formed my interest and type of in music back then and I am thankful to them, immensely.
Hatful of Hollow is the one for me. It has an urgency, yearning and melancholy that hit me hard as a 13 year old. Like a lot of kids then - and since I'm sure - it articulated something very deep. I got it a couple of years after it came out. Still blows me away. Who has ever written lyrics like this? And the music and playing is sublime. Real art. And then from the same place and time you've got JD, NO, the Fall, The Durutti Column... Insane. Working class geniuses - could it ever happen again?
The Tube (Channel 4, UK), Friday 4 November 1983. The broadcast of a short performance film to accompany This Charming Man (a track released a few days prior on 31 October) .. In short, it's a debut TV performance that goes down as a defining cultural moment for an entire generation of British kids (myself included).
Mazzy, I absolutely love the Smiths, they are the best band of the eighties. I’m a long time fan from the beginning. I first heard the debut on a NY Long Island radio station called WLIR. They played all the new wave bands of the day in the eighties. I agree, the final album is also my favorite. I have just about all the 12” singles and a few picture sleeve 45s. I too have that box set of the Queen Is Dead. Thank you for making this absolutely wonderful video for the Smiths catalog. I was also the winner of Arnaldo’s Smiths contest he did earlier this year. ✌️
Loved The Smiths, and there's no question that their records have aged better than a lot of mid-80s music. The track that haunts me more than any other after all this time: 'This Night Has Opened My Eyes'.
Between Morriseys lilting vocal and Johnny Marrs inventive guitar work ( How Soon is Now ) The Smiths really had a sound , should I dare say, organic , completely separated themselves from other bands of the time period. When I first heard "This Charming Man" I was hooked. Smart lyrics, and danceable. Puts them in the Top 3 of the 80's. Love them
I love the Smiths! I found the smiths when I was 15 years old on college radio, and on the MTV show 120 minutes. I'm 53 years old now and I've never stopped loving and listing to the Smiths. I'd love to ask you for a video with a deep dive into Morrissey solo records. I enjoy the extra detail and story you add when talking about the album, where and when you got the record, it's all so very entertaining. There is no one like Morrissey! MOZ Forever!!!!
Great video Mazzy and spot on! I completed a The Smiths goal this summer, finding and adding the last the Smiths 7’’ I was missing from my collection, when I found the debut in a perfect condition here in Oslo. That was a big moment for me 😊 Hatfull of Hollow, such a wonderful weirdo of a record. Love love it. Cheers and thank you Mazzy.
I'm glad that you stated that it was only your opinion. I could make an argument for many other bands just as compelling. R.E.M., Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Go-Betweens, The Replacements, Husker Du, and Minutemen to name a few.
That line 'I dreamt about you last night and I fell out of bed twice' was taken from Shelagh Delaney's 'A Taste of Honey' and we were studying the play in school around when 'Reel Around...' came out. It was the most satisfying moment of my entire education.
Possibly my favourite Smiths record, but it’s gotta be the version on there 1st lp, because of the lovely trickling piano which accompanies that beautiful lyric.
💯my #1 band of the 80s, obviously. REM #2 and best US band of the 80s. XTC & Talking Heads are up there but can you consider them 80s? 🤔Thanks for the shout out/plug! 😊🇬🇧
@@mazzysmusic Interesting argument. I'd say they had two albums in the 90's that surpass some of their eighties output: Automatic is their second best album, period, and I would rank New Adventures ahead of Green and maybe Fables, but none of the others better the eighties. I do think their eighties output is on par with the Smiths' catalog.
Mazzy, I agree that The Smiths are absolutely great! Johnny Marr and Morrissey are inimitable figures, and the rhythm section of Joyce and Rourke is second to none. One can make an excellent argument that they are the best band of the eighties. I'll throw out just two other bands that have just as strong an argument (maybe even better): The Cure and REM. In my opinion, REM is unbeatable in the 80s, yet the Cure's output during that time is insanely great, too. I applaud you for drawing a line in the sand and saying The Smiths are the best; however, there are very strong arguments for other bands. Thanks!
I was into The Smiths at the time. The single "This Charming Man" was such an interesting and unique song. I followed their career closely and they were like a soundtrack of that period. But oddly enough I don't play them anymore. I find it takes a big commitment to play their music now. Maybe I associate them too closely with that mid-80's period. Even so, they were a magnificent band.
Thank you so much!!!! I was introduced to The Smiths when I was 15 and I bought “Meat is Murder” not really knowing anything about them other than a friend told me to listen to them. Well, almost 40 years later, they still invoke powerful emotions. Easily the one of the greatest!! 🖤🖤
Good choice. I’d submit for consideration Squeeze. The band released some high quality material in the 80’s with the ascendance of Difford and Tilbrook as a songwriting team.
Ugh I am absolutely foaming at the mouth for Rhino to do a Hi-Fi Smiths box… I know that Rhino has said they don’t want to do titles that have been “done to death” (explain Bad Company then… 😅) and I mean, sure, The Smiths’ catalog has been kept in print all these years… but none of their albums have ever been given a true “audiophile” remaster. Plus it’s not like their output was massive… it’s literally just 4 albums and a whole lotta singles. I’m just imagining a super sturdy, hard outer box with glossy Stoughton gatefolds for each album, with Kevin Gray mastering, pressed on “SuperVinyl” or whatever Rhino’s term for it is, rice paper inners, a booklet with liner notes and definitely some sort of bonus disc since so many of their singles are bonafide classics. They could create a new comp just for this box, or they could just pop “Best I” and “Best II” in there (neither of those have ever been reissued yet they’re both the best Smiths compilations hands down IMO). The world needs it! 😊🙏🏻
All the Peel sessions on one comp would be great, or an official release of the 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' bootleg of the Los Angeles gidgin 86 which was their finest hour imo EMI did a huge Smiths box set in 2011 called Smiths Complete...it was £199.00 at the time so I decided to pass...now its about £1200.00!
The first time i heard The Smiths was on french TV (i'm french) playing "This charming man"; all of a sudden everything changed, i was 20 and at that time i had the feeling that the Smiths would be important. Only four studio albums and still a great influence, hat off mazzy !!!
As someone who lives in the city, Oscillate Wildly is , to me, such a Manchester sounding tune and “There’s a Light that Never Goes Out “ is one of my all time favourite songs. I’m not normally a fan of this type of music but there’s just something with The Smiths that pulled me in. A brilliant band.
Loads of great bands from the 80s,both here in the UK and across the pond.Here in the uk,they were from Manchester Liverpool Leeds.Apart from the Smiths, there's the Chameleons.the Fall.Sisters of mercy,Echo and the Bunnymen,Gang of four,Chumbawamba, from US:Talking Heads,X,Pere Ubu,Swans.
The Smiths were great,also great during that period that i loved was Echo And The Bunnymen,Big Country,U2,Simple Minds,China Crisis and Tears For Fears
The smiths are my favourite band,ilove everything they did.I actually met Morrissey in a book shop on Reading high street in 1990.It was the time he was recording Kill Uncle at Hook End Manor,which is quite close to Reading.I was just browsing when i caught sight of morrissey a few yards ahead,perusing the classics section,cojldn'tbelieve my eyes.Plucked up the courage to say hello,and had a 10 minute chat with him.We spoke about the smiths and his new album,he was very forthcoming,and seemed genuinely grateful that i was a big fan.Of course i asked for an autograph,(on a five pound note,as there was nothing else to sign.On the note he wrote 'Morrissey,yours beyond soap and water together with a small picture of himself.I still treasure that autograph.We said our goodbyes with a handshake and for the rest of the day i wwas on cloud nine,not believing i had actually met my hero.Almost forgot,i showed him my smiths tattoo,and he self deprecatingly replied 'you will regret that',never i replied.Anyhow loved the video and great to see you love the band as i do,all the best rick.
Without the Smiths, there probably wouldn’t have been a Sarah Records, aesthetically and musically. Thanks for doing a complete album catalog review. Incidentally, change is a🦶. Cautious optimism, clouds lifted, etc.
Growing up in Birmingham UK in the 80's, The Smiths were total game changers. Morrissey's lyrics, Marrs guitar, and Rourke and Joyce weren't bad either. The record covers. The run of albums in the 80's were incredible. Nice one Mazzy 👍
R.E.M. for me is the best band of the 80’s . Six albums for R.E.M. in the 80’s compared to 4 with the Smiths. R.E.M. in my view founded Alternative music. R.E.M’s legacy I would say has an edge over the Smiths. R.E.M’s early 90’s strong output another reason to rank them higher than the Smiths. The Smiths are definitely high up for me as well on my rankings and as always loved your video.
My friend knew guitarist Alain Whyte who told her that some of Johnny Marr’s tunings took time to figure out. Marr was and still is a very good guitarist.
A perfect summary. There were so many great bands in the 60s and 70s but, in the 80s, The Smiths stood head and shoulders over other bands. Some of the funniest lyrics ever written and brilliant ground-breaking guitar work. Their plangent musings on alienation and vulnerability spoke directly to many a young heart.
Just great Mazzy. As a Brit lad from The Home Counties growing up in the 80s, The Smiths are part of my DNA. Just genius. Where are their equivalents today? Morrisey is an artist of towering stature. SO MISUNDERSTOOD!! Thanks for a great post. It does make a difference!!
Enjoyed the video Mazzy. Have you by chance heard 'George Best' by The Wedding Present. They were popular around the same time as The Smiths in the mid 80's and from Leeds in the UK?
After the Smiths the Wedding Present are my second favourite band, there are no duds in the catalogue. They are still going and I try and see them live whenever I can, off the their Edge of the Sea Festival in Brighton next weekend. If you don’t know them I’d recommend checking out David Gedge’s other band Cinerama, just as good as the Wedding Present 🙂. Andy
The Church, The Psychedelic Furs, The Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, Siouxsie & the Banshees, and many more. They were all (for me) infinitely more interesting and important than The Smiths and REM.
Bigmouth still brings tears to my eyes, a mixture of its intrinsic melancholy and the memory of teenager years. Morrissey's lyrics are often haunting, as is his monotonous singing. While that gives the band its distinctive sound, I often wonder what Marr's inventive tunes would have sounded like with a more versatile singer.
I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t care for most of your videos but this is really good. I remember vinyl richie doing a good Smiths video years back. Your channel is quite big but I fid find out about your channel through the movie videos you did with richie.
The soundtrack to “Killer” by David Fincher was featuring the Smiths. It added a nice touch as you’ve pointed out the way Morrissey delivers dark sentiments with incredible hooks.
Absolutely no one like The Smiths before or after...totally agree they were the best rock band from the 80's Mazzy. Genius lyric and musical writing delivered through next level performances...saw Morrisey solo and Marr with The The...arguably top 3 British rock duo. Introduced to them at their end in '87 on my first day of HS...was never the same...one of the first things my now wife and I discussed upon meeting ♥
Agreed on the music and the design / cover art/photography. Funnily, I recently cleaned up a few of my OGs from The Smiths the other day and had a nice listening session after not listening to those in easily 7-8 years for whatever reason: 'Hatful Of Hollow,' 'The World Won't Listen,' & 'The Queen Is Dead.' Though, the first release I ever had of theirs was the cd comp 'Louder Than Bombs.'
The Smiths are one the few bands of which I love/like nearly all of their songs. Easily 60+ out of 74 recorded songs. The only other band that comes close (for me) are the Kinks 1964-70!
I take your point! ha My votes would be for The Cure, New Order, REM, and Talking Heads although I love the Smiths too. It's a pity however that Morrissey's comments in the past few years have tarnished listening to the band for so many (including me).
The best band from Manchester in the 80s was (and still are) The Chameleons. If there are any Smiths fans out there, do give the Chameleons a listen starting with their first album Script From The Bridge - you are in for a treat. Added bonus, - you can still seem them live. Also, check out Sea Fever which is a great current band from Manchester/Macclesfield featuring Gronow from Marr's band, 2 members from New Order and a singer from Section 25.
The Smiths were a band in the 80s but the best... that might be a stretch when I think of all the great bands and artists. But heh, we all get to have our opinion.
80’s music as a whole didnt hit me i dint know why. Im just a child of the 60’s-70’s. Perhaps ill give them a spin. Thank you fir another great video. :)
Congratulations Mazzy. This video is so spot on. I saw them twice. Firstly on the Meat Is Murder tour which was great and then for The Queen Is Dead. This was the greatest night of my life! The Smiths are unsurpassed and an essential for anyone.
Interesting that you’re into The Smiths 🙂. Saw them in Nottingham in 1985 and have most of their 12” singles. Discogs tells all !!! Would never sell them though.
Your opinion is always interesting. Or as Rotten would put it, amusing. When I think of Manchester, I think of Oasis. When I think of the eights I think of The Pretenders. I'll have to give my Smiths records and cds a spin and see what I think. Thanks for video. Always appreciated.
Fun video, and I can get behind The Smiths being the best band of the '80s, if you don't count New Order, The Cure, R.E.M., U2, Depeche Mode, or The Pixies.
The Smiths were very niche. As a Brit 'The Jam' were the best band of the 1980s. Brilliant live. Weller's lyrics are as relevant now as they were back then. Possibly more so. His work with Style Council and as a solo artist (imho) transcends anything The Smiths did.
Saw 10,000 Maniacs on their first uk tour back in the day. Feel lucky to have also seem The Smiths together with other great bands like Cocteau twins and The Fall
The Smiths were one the last great singles band, I think. I prefer listening to the 7" and 12" singles, in no particular order, more so than the album sides. I live in Alabama, but the cool kids in school, we were listening to The Smiths on cassette tape in our shitty second hand cars. It broke through.
I like them. But there's a sameness to the sound for the most part. The Clash or Talking Heads or Pretenders or REM or U2 for me. The songwriting was good, but usually negative and depressing. I'd put XTC above them too.
I had the original vinyls which my dad threw away. I did pick up the remastered box sets which included all the albums and the singles. Never got to see them but I did catch Morrissey's first solo tour.
FUCKING AWESOEME VIDEO! The smiths have become my favorite band it was the beatles and it was very hard to put the beatles at #2. My favorite is "strangeways here we come" love how sonically good smiths albums sound especially the last 2
I agree with you Mazzy The Smiths are awesome I’ve spent many years trying to get all their 12” man it’s a very tough to find and I’m still searching . I also dig the wanker Morrissey songwriting and vocals and Johnny Marr IMO is one the greatest guitarist of the 80’s .
I have a bunch of Smiths stuff - bought their debut LP when it first came out. But I would say “one of the best,” not the best. X is right up there for me as a contender for best band. R.E.M. (the IRS years) is definitely up there. The Cure. And U2’s 80’s albums can’t be ignored.
Woo, Mazzy, "best band of the '80's" is quite a statement. For me as a college DJ, I'd nominate XTC or REM. Runners up could be Dire Straits, Los Lobos, and The Bangles.
The best band of the Eights, the most groundbreaking. My favorite band of the Eighties. "Jeane" is one of their best songs but was only a b-side. "Queen is Dead" is their strongest album. I agree.
Hey Mazzy- great video- I love you, off rip I have to disagree. R.E.M. was the best band of the 80s. I love the Smiths, but R.E.M. was in fact the best band of the 80s, and top 5 best American bands ever. Also, I was not myself the other night (if you catch my drift……alcohol). But I want to apologize if I mentioned your name in a weird way. I’ve seen comments I don’t remember posting on other peoples pages. So I’m sorry if I did that- I’ve been a huge fan of yours for years now. I’m usually pretty low key. But I will say the other day on Rachel’s Ghost- that was a hard watch. I love your channel Mazzy, and I’m politically aligned almost to a t with you. There probably a lot of people not willing to say this to you, but I’ve been rocking with you for years. Long time listening- and rambling caller, lol. ✌️❤️
@@mazzysmusic I will look forward to it- REM is the best band! Haha - thanks Mazz, I would never insult you- you’re my favorite VC member- but I was being drunk and weird the other day. Stoked for your REM video, I don’t dislike the Smiths- but I think REM is something crazy awesome
80’s I would go with Depeche Mode, Chameleons, New Order, Bauhaus, and The Cure even Echo - these bands all have more records and more top records. 👍👍👍
'Strangeways' was an infamous mental institution here in the UK. It was common UK phrase to state 'xxxx will end up in Strangeways'. Hence the title of the final album, Strangeways, Here We Come.
HM Prison Manchester is a Category A and B men's prison in Manchester, England, operated by His Majesty's Prison Service. It is still commonly referred to as Strangeways, which was its former official name derived from the area in which it is located, until it was rebuilt following a major riot in 1990.
@@PeadarmacOne You got it right. If Morrissey was going to write about the local mental institution he would've written 'Prestwich Here We Come.' Prestwich was Nico's patch (though not the institution of course).
1-Had an old Cuban friend that would call marxist Cuba just that, an insane asylum, the whole island that became a mental institution; he was a man old enough to have lived before the pseudo socialists, pseudo everything satrap Castro brothers usurpation of power from the people , who had also SEEn and experienced himself the total decay and deterioration of Habana, a once vibrant and culturally alive city with more cinema theaters than New York and Paris, in his native Cuba an island in the Caribbean, with prime real estate and plenty of human resources , back then a magnet for European immigrants but no more that had been richer than some states in the American union, built in part by the hard work of very competent Brits and their children (since apparently you are one) who were close enough to mi own self, who surely are turning on their graves now for more than just the aforementioned situations. 2- Sadly it is way easier to hate and tear things down to later find a millions excuses to justify your deleterious deeds than it is to take up the challenge to build oneself, your neighbors and community, and thus your whole country up, even an adopted one , like plenty had dilligently and with much hope done before the all impoverishing and suffocating and worse for oppressive and murderous communist debacle that ensued after 1959 in his, my Cuba that sadly and tragically is still goes on. 3- WHAT AN UN NECESSARY DUMP AND ''CAGATION'' THEM COMMIES MADE OF STILL BEAUTIFUL CUBA. Shame on them commie grifters and selfish SOBs...Shema!!!.
For me the Smiths is by far the best eighties band, They influenced my life during that period completely.
Big fan of The Smiths and Mozza later, up until these days. The Smiths formed my interest and type of in music back then and I am thankful to them, immensely.
Hatful of Hollow is the one for me. It has an urgency, yearning and melancholy that hit me hard as a 13 year old. Like a lot of kids then - and since I'm sure - it articulated something very deep. I got it a couple of years after it came out. Still blows me away. Who has ever written lyrics like this? And the music and playing is sublime. Real art. And then from the same place and time you've got JD, NO, the Fall, The Durutti Column... Insane. Working class geniuses - could it ever happen again?
REM for me, but I do love the Smiths.
This
In the eighties, don't forget that The Go-Betweens were the Smiths of Australia
In an ideal world, we’d be saying The Smiths were the UK Go-Betweens. So it goes…
Love the go betweens my favourite Australian band
The Tube (Channel 4, UK), Friday 4 November 1983. The broadcast of a short performance film to accompany This Charming Man (a track released a few days prior on 31 October) .. In short, it's a debut TV performance that goes down as a defining cultural moment for an entire generation of British kids (myself included).
Quality exposition dude - most enjoyable overview 🎉 Thank you
Mazzy, I absolutely love the Smiths, they are the best band of the eighties. I’m a long time fan from the beginning. I first heard the debut on a NY Long Island radio station called WLIR. They played all the new wave bands of the day in the eighties. I agree, the final album is also my favorite. I have just about all the 12” singles and a few picture sleeve 45s. I too have that box set of the Queen Is Dead. Thank you for making this absolutely wonderful video for the Smiths catalog. I was also the winner of Arnaldo’s Smiths contest he did earlier this year. ✌️
Loved The Smiths, and there's no question that their records have aged better than a lot of mid-80s music. The track that haunts me more than any other after all this time: 'This Night Has Opened My Eyes'.
Between Morriseys lilting vocal and Johnny Marrs inventive guitar work ( How Soon is Now ) The Smiths really had a sound , should I dare say, organic , completely separated themselves from other bands of the time period.
When I first heard "This Charming Man" I was hooked. Smart lyrics, and danceable. Puts them in the Top 3 of the 80's. Love them
Spot on ✌🏼
Girlfriend in a coma ... yeah I know it's srtious
As someone born in ‘84 and only fairly recently took the deep dive, it’s the debut that blows me away, everytime 🤷🏻♂️
I love the Smiths! I found the smiths when I was 15 years old on college radio, and on the MTV show 120 minutes. I'm 53 years old now and I've never stopped loving and listing to the Smiths. I'd love to ask you for a video with a deep dive into Morrissey solo records. I enjoy the extra detail and story you add when talking about the album, where and when you got the record, it's all so very entertaining. There is no one like Morrissey! MOZ Forever!!!!
Great video Mazzy and spot on! I completed a The Smiths goal this summer, finding and adding the last the Smiths 7’’ I was missing from my collection, when I found the debut in a perfect condition here in Oslo. That was a big moment for me 😊
Hatfull of Hollow, such a wonderful weirdo of a record. Love love it.
Cheers and thank you Mazzy.
I'm glad that you stated that it was only your opinion. I could make an argument for many other bands just as compelling. R.E.M., Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Go-Betweens, The Replacements, Husker Du, and Minutemen to name a few.
That line 'I dreamt about you last night and I fell out of bed twice' was taken from Shelagh Delaney's 'A Taste of Honey' and we were studying the play in school around when 'Reel Around...' came out. It was the most satisfying moment of my entire education.
Amen
Possibly my favourite Smiths record, but it’s gotta be the version on there 1st lp, because of the lovely trickling piano which accompanies that beautiful lyric.
💯my #1 band of the 80s, obviously. REM #2 and best US band of the 80s. XTC & Talking Heads are up there but can you consider them 80s? 🤔Thanks for the shout out/plug! 😊🇬🇧
Best band of the 80's, mostly true, but for me, tied with R.E.M.
Possibly. Since they split some of their greatest work into the 90s , their 80s purity is questionable 😆😇😜😵💫😎
@@mazzysmusic Interesting argument. I'd say they had two albums in the 90's that surpass some of their eighties output: Automatic is their second best album, period, and I would rank New Adventures ahead of Green and maybe Fables, but none of the others better the eighties. I do think their eighties output is on par with the Smiths' catalog.
The best band ever! I live in Sweden and never forget the First time I heard The boy with the thorn in his side!
Brilliant mate. Could listen to you talk all night (ish). Great knowledge and comment/content.
Love me some SMITHS! Thanks for this, Mazzy, always like when you inspire me to pull out some old albums 👍🏻
Mazzy, I agree that The Smiths are absolutely great! Johnny Marr and Morrissey are inimitable figures, and the rhythm section of Joyce and Rourke is second to none. One can make an excellent argument that they are the best band of the eighties. I'll throw out just two other bands that have just as strong an argument (maybe even better): The Cure and REM. In my opinion, REM is unbeatable in the 80s, yet the Cure's output during that time is insanely great, too. I applaud you for drawing a line in the sand and saying The Smiths are the best; however, there are very strong arguments for other bands. Thanks!
I love your videos Mazzy. I never tire of you talking music. Your videos are like comfort food! 😊
I was into The Smiths at the time. The single "This Charming Man" was such an interesting and unique song. I followed their career closely and they were like a soundtrack of that period. But oddly enough I don't play them anymore. I find it takes a big commitment to play their music now. Maybe I associate them too closely with that mid-80's period. Even so, they were a magnificent band.
Thank you so much!!!! I was introduced to The Smiths when I was 15 and I bought “Meat is Murder” not really knowing anything about them other than a friend told me to listen to them. Well, almost 40 years later, they still invoke powerful emotions. Easily the one of the greatest!! 🖤🖤
Good choice. I’d submit for consideration Squeeze. The band released some high quality material in the 80’s with the ascendance of Difford and Tilbrook as a songwriting team.
Ugh I am absolutely foaming at the mouth for Rhino to do a Hi-Fi Smiths box… I know that Rhino has said they don’t want to do titles that have been “done to death” (explain Bad Company then… 😅) and I mean, sure, The Smiths’ catalog has been kept in print all these years… but none of their albums have ever been given a true “audiophile” remaster.
Plus it’s not like their output was massive… it’s literally just 4 albums and a whole lotta singles. I’m just imagining a super sturdy, hard outer box with glossy Stoughton gatefolds for each album, with Kevin Gray mastering, pressed on “SuperVinyl” or whatever Rhino’s term for it is, rice paper inners, a booklet with liner notes and definitely some sort of bonus disc since so many of their singles are bonafide classics. They could create a new comp just for this box, or they could just pop “Best I” and “Best II” in there (neither of those have ever been reissued yet they’re both the best Smiths compilations hands down IMO).
The world needs it! 😊🙏🏻
A Rihi HiFi Box of their 4 LPs plus the Louder than Bombs Com. Box set SOLD!!!
All the Peel sessions on one comp would be great, or an official release of the 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' bootleg of the Los Angeles gidgin 86 which was their finest hour imo EMI did a huge Smiths box set in 2011 called Smiths Complete...it was £199.00 at the time so I decided to pass...now its about £1200.00!
This
A friend recommended them to me in just the past five yrs , I had only know the name of this band ,I was blown away , like nothing I’d heard before .
Replacements
Cure
REM
U2
Husker Du
New Order
Just to name a few who were better, still I enjoyed the video and the Smiths were a great band
No , definitely don't agree . I think the Smiths were by far the best band of the Eighties . One of the true greats of all time .
N E W O R D E R forever!
The Smiths best Band of the 80s🤣. I like your humor
Wankers love wankers
Thank you for this video. It’s great to see someone appreciate the greatness of the Smiths like I do
The first time i heard The Smiths was on french TV (i'm french) playing "This charming man"; all of a sudden everything changed, i was 20 and at that time i had the feeling that the Smiths would be important.
Only four studio albums and still a great influence, hat off mazzy !!!
As someone who lives in the city, Oscillate Wildly is , to me, such a Manchester sounding tune and “There’s a Light that Never Goes Out “ is one of my all time favourite songs. I’m not normally a fan of this type of music but there’s just something with The Smiths that pulled me in. A brilliant band.
Loads of great bands from the 80s,both here in the UK and across the pond.Here in the uk,they were from Manchester Liverpool Leeds.Apart from the Smiths, there's the Chameleons.the Fall.Sisters of mercy,Echo and the Bunnymen,Gang of four,Chumbawamba, from US:Talking Heads,X,Pere Ubu,Swans.
The Smith’s debut album by Coit Tower with a good friend, overlooking the city sounds like a wonderful memory.
For me, it's tied between The Cure, R.E.M. and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Good call. Great run through of their output.
The Smiths were great,also great during that period that i loved was Echo And The Bunnymen,Big Country,U2,Simple Minds,China Crisis and Tears For Fears
The smiths are my favourite band,ilove everything they did.I actually met Morrissey in a book shop on Reading high street in 1990.It was the time he was recording Kill Uncle at Hook End Manor,which is quite close to Reading.I was just browsing when i caught sight of morrissey a few yards ahead,perusing the classics section,cojldn'tbelieve my eyes.Plucked up the courage to say hello,and had a 10 minute chat with him.We spoke about the smiths and his new album,he was very forthcoming,and seemed genuinely grateful that i was a big fan.Of course i asked for an autograph,(on a five pound note,as there was nothing else to sign.On the note he wrote 'Morrissey,yours beyond soap and water together with a small picture of himself.I still treasure that autograph.We said our goodbyes with a handshake and for the rest of the day i wwas on cloud nine,not believing i had actually met my hero.Almost forgot,i showed him my smiths tattoo,and he self deprecatingly replied 'you will regret that',never i replied.Anyhow loved the video and great to see you love the band as i do,all the best rick.
Cool story ✌🏼
Without the Smiths, there probably wouldn’t have been a Sarah Records, aesthetically and musically. Thanks for doing a complete album catalog review. Incidentally, change is a🦶. Cautious optimism, clouds lifted, etc.
Growing up in Birmingham UK in the 80's, The Smiths were total game changers. Morrissey's lyrics, Marrs guitar, and Rourke and Joyce weren't bad either. The record covers. The run of albums in the 80's were incredible. Nice one Mazzy 👍
R.E.M. for me is the best band of the 80’s . Six albums for R.E.M. in the 80’s compared to 4 with the Smiths. R.E.M. in my view founded Alternative music. R.E.M’s legacy I would say has an edge over the Smiths. R.E.M’s early 90’s strong output another reason to rank them higher than the Smiths. The Smiths are definitely high up for me as well on my rankings and as always loved your video.
My friend knew guitarist Alain Whyte who told her that some of Johnny Marr’s tunings took time to figure out. Marr was and still is a very good guitarist.
A perfect summary. There were so many great bands in the 60s and 70s but, in the 80s, The Smiths stood head and shoulders over other bands. Some of the funniest lyrics ever written and brilliant ground-breaking guitar work. Their plangent musings on alienation and vulnerability spoke directly to many a young heart.
Just great Mazzy. As a Brit lad from The Home Counties growing up in the 80s, The Smiths are part of my DNA. Just genius. Where are their equivalents today? Morrisey is an artist of towering stature. SO MISUNDERSTOOD!! Thanks for a great post. It does make a difference!!
Enjoyed the video Mazzy. Have you by chance heard 'George Best' by The Wedding Present. They were popular around the same time as The Smiths in the mid 80's and from Leeds in the UK?
After the Smiths the Wedding Present are my second favourite band, there are no duds in the catalogue. They are still going and I try and see them live whenever I can, off the their Edge of the Sea Festival in Brighton next weekend. If you don’t know them I’d recommend checking out David Gedge’s other band Cinerama, just as good as the Wedding Present 🙂. Andy
@@andygladwin2049 I also enjoyed the Ukranian Peel Sessions back in the day........👍
The Church, The Psychedelic Furs, The Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, Siouxsie & the Banshees, and many more. They were all (for me) infinitely more interesting and important than The Smiths and REM.
Bigmouth still brings tears to my eyes, a mixture of its intrinsic melancholy and the memory of teenager years. Morrissey's lyrics are often haunting, as is his monotonous singing. While that gives the band its distinctive sound, I often wonder what Marr's inventive tunes would have sounded like with a more versatile singer.
I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t care for most of your videos but this is really good. I remember vinyl richie doing a good Smiths video years back. Your channel is quite big but I fid find out about your channel through the movie videos you did with richie.
Glad you found one you like.😎
The soundtrack to “Killer” by David Fincher was featuring the Smiths. It added a nice touch as you’ve pointed out the way Morrissey delivers dark sentiments with incredible hooks.
Fantastic video!! You really know your Smiths Mazzy. Awesome.
Absolutely no one like The Smiths before or after...totally agree they were the best rock band from the 80's Mazzy. Genius lyric and musical writing delivered through next level performances...saw Morrisey solo and Marr with The The...arguably top 3 British rock duo. Introduced to them at their end in '87 on my first day of HS...was never the same...one of the first things my now wife and I discussed upon meeting ♥
Fantastic video Mazzy. I think their 1st album is one of the best debut albums of all time.
I agree probably the best band of the 80s. Lloyd Cole (and the Commotions) are also worth exploring, there are some similarities, lyrically at least.
More than Agree Mazzy - so good I’ve done 2 videos on the 12 inch singles ! Smiths are / were such a fantastic band
Agreed on the music and the design / cover art/photography. Funnily, I recently cleaned up a few of my OGs from The Smiths the other day and had a nice listening session after not listening to those in easily 7-8 years for whatever reason: 'Hatful Of Hollow,' 'The World Won't Listen,' & 'The Queen Is Dead.' Though, the first release I ever had of theirs was the cd comp 'Louder Than Bombs.'
The Smiths are one the few bands of which I love/like nearly all of their songs. Easily 60+ out of 74 recorded songs. The only other band that comes close (for me) are the Kinks 1964-70!
I take your point! ha My votes would be for The Cure, New Order, REM, and Talking Heads although I love the Smiths too. It's a pity however that Morrissey's comments in the past few years have tarnished listening to the band for so many (including me).
In 1986 I had a summer job and worked with a guy who went to school with Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke! 🙂
The best band from Manchester in the 80s was (and still are) The Chameleons. If there are any Smiths fans out there, do give the Chameleons a listen starting with their first album Script From The Bridge - you are in for a treat. Added bonus, - you can still seem them live.
Also, check out Sea Fever which is a great current band from Manchester/Macclesfield featuring Gronow from Marr's band, 2 members from New Order and a singer from Section 25.
Great choice - seminal band which was greater than the sum of its parts. Existential in their scope .
The Smiths were a band in the 80s but the best... that might be a stretch when I think of all the great bands and artists. But heh, we all get to have our opinion.
I totally agree that the Smiths were the best band of the 1980s. Truly unique and yet so appealing.
Saw them live. Peerless ❤️
Mazzy I enjoyed the 10cc video! And I absolutely enjoyed the Smiths! Two brilliant bands in their own ways! Again I agree with your comments great!👍
The best bands of the 80s for me are REM and New Order! Also 80s U2 is really not that bad!
❤
80’s music as a whole didnt hit me i dint know why. Im just a child of the 60’s-70’s. Perhaps ill give them a spin. Thank you fir another great video. :)
Congratulations Mazzy. This video is so spot on.
I saw them twice. Firstly on the Meat Is Murder tour which was great and then for The Queen Is Dead. This was the greatest night of my life! The Smiths are unsurpassed and an essential for anyone.
Interesting that you’re into The Smiths 🙂. Saw them in Nottingham in 1985 and have most of their 12” singles. Discogs tells all !!! Would never sell them though.
Love them and all your cassette lengths. ✌🏼
Your opinion is always interesting. Or as Rotten would put it, amusing. When I think of Manchester, I think of Oasis. When I think of the eights I think of The Pretenders. I'll have to give my Smiths records and cds a spin and see what I think. Thanks for video. Always appreciated.
New Order were my favorite with the Smiths being second. Could you do a JD/NO video, Mazzy?
Fun video, and I can get behind The Smiths being the best band of the '80s, if you don't count New Order, The Cure, R.E.M., U2, Depeche Mode, or The Pixies.
The Smiths were very niche. As a Brit 'The Jam' were the best band of the 1980s. Brilliant live. Weller's lyrics are as relevant now as they were back then. Possibly more so. His work with Style Council and as a solo artist (imho) transcends anything The Smiths did.
The one guitar players who reminds me of Marr is the late Robert Buck from 10,000 Maniacs.
Saw 10,000 Maniacs on their first uk tour back in the day. Feel lucky to have also seem The Smiths together with other great bands like Cocteau twins and The Fall
The Smiths were one the last great singles band, I think. I prefer listening to the 7" and 12" singles, in no particular order, more so than the album sides. I live in Alabama, but the cool kids in school, we were listening to The Smiths on cassette tape in our shitty second hand cars. It broke through.
I like them. But there's a sameness to the sound for the most part. The Clash or Talking Heads or Pretenders or REM or U2 for me. The songwriting was good, but usually negative and depressing. I'd put XTC above them too.
They were significant in the 80s but haven't aged well. First album was the most original and they slipped into self-parody from there.
Yeah I feel the opposite. They didn’t have the contrived electric keyboard and drum sound of a lot of 80s artists. .
for me it's The Cure....some would argue U2'S output in the 80's was 2nd to none...Smiths my top 5...XTC also and of coarse Talking Heads
I had the original vinyls which my dad threw away. I did pick up the remastered box sets which included all the albums and the singles. Never got to see them but I did catch Morrissey's first solo tour.
Hope he showed up Ron 🤠😆😵💫😜
@@mazzysmusic This was in pre-crazy days. Can't stomach him now!
The original text on the helmet,
on the Meat Is Murder cover, was -
“Make War Not Love”
FUCKING AWESOEME VIDEO! The smiths have become my favorite band it was the beatles and it was very hard to put the beatles at #2. My favorite is "strangeways here we come" love how sonically good smiths albums sound especially the last 2
For some reason I can just never get into the Smiths. Maybe someday.
The live version of Bigmouth Strikes Again from Rank played at ear-bleeding volumes is just incredible
Oh yes 🤠
@@mazzysmusic It's a real showcase of Johnny Marr's jangle rock style. A bright jangling guitar riff, so unique!
nah....it's Bad Brains with Minor Threat second, although their catalog is small Bad Brains have at least 3 masterpieces.
I’ve had my copy of Louder than Bombs since it came out. It’s still the only Smiths record(s) I own. I should probably fix that.
It’s a good one to have ✌🏼
I agree with you Mazzy The Smiths are awesome I’ve spent many years trying to get all their 12” man it’s a very tough to find and I’m still searching . I also dig the wanker Morrissey songwriting and vocals and Johnny Marr IMO is one the greatest guitarist of the 80’s .
Mazzy, you are correct. They are the best band of the '80's..... X
I have a bunch of Smiths stuff - bought their debut LP when it first came out. But I would say “one of the best,” not the best. X is right up there for me as a contender for best band. R.E.M. (the IRS years) is definitely up there. The Cure. And U2’s 80’s albums can’t be ignored.
Graham Coxon blends rhythm and lead in a completely different, unique way.
Woo, Mazzy, "best band of the '80's" is quite a statement. For me as a college DJ, I'd nominate XTC or REM. Runners up could be Dire Straits, Los Lobos, and The Bangles.
The best band of the Eights, the most groundbreaking. My favorite band of the Eighties. "Jeane" is one of their best songs but was only a b-side. "Queen is Dead" is their strongest album. I agree.
It simply has to be Whitesnake, from the classic "Ready an' Willing" album thru to their stupendous "1987" album, it's not even a contest! 😆
@@moodlefyful 😆😇😵💫
Eddie Muller recently showed an Alain Delon movie, I think it was Purple Moon. Morrissey kind of reminded me of Ian Curtis.
Personally, I erred towards U2, Simple Minds, and a little later Talk Talk
N.1 Costello and Attraction n2 REM N.3 SMITHS
Hey Mazzy- great video- I love you, off rip I have to disagree. R.E.M. was the best band of the 80s. I love the Smiths, but R.E.M. was in fact the best band of the 80s, and top 5 best American bands ever.
Also, I was not myself the other night (if you catch my drift……alcohol).
But I want to apologize if I mentioned your name in a weird way. I’ve seen comments I don’t remember posting on other peoples pages.
So I’m sorry if I did that- I’ve been a huge fan of yours for years now. I’m usually pretty low key. But I will say the other day on Rachel’s Ghost- that was a hard watch.
I love your channel Mazzy, and I’m politically aligned almost to a t with you. There probably a lot of people not willing to say this to you, but I’ve been rocking with you for years.
Long time listening- and rambling caller, lol. ✌️❤️
I don’t even remember. I will bring up REM later day so look for that one. ✌🏼
@@mazzysmusic I will look forward to it- REM is the best band! Haha
- thanks Mazz, I would never insult you- you’re my favorite VC member- but I was being drunk and weird the other day.
Stoked for your REM video, I don’t dislike the Smiths- but I think REM is something crazy awesome
80’s I would go with Depeche Mode, Chameleons, New Order, Bauhaus, and The Cure even Echo - these bands all have more records and more top records. 👍👍👍
'Strangeways' was an infamous mental institution here in the UK. It was common UK phrase to state 'xxxx will end up in Strangeways'. Hence the title of the final album, Strangeways, Here We Come.
HM Prison Manchester is a Category A and B men's prison in Manchester, England, operated by His Majesty's Prison Service. It is still commonly referred to as Strangeways, which was its former official name derived from the area in which it is located, until it was rebuilt following a major riot in 1990.
Thanks I totally forgot that. I would have mentioned it. 😆😵💫
@@PeadarmacOne You got it right. If Morrissey was going to write about the local mental institution he would've written 'Prestwich Here We Come.'
Prestwich was Nico's patch (though not the institution of course).
@@alexstewart8097 Ohhh you mean Havana, the gangsters' crooked haven in the bent Fifties.
1-Had an old Cuban friend that would call marxist Cuba just that, an insane asylum, the whole island that became a mental institution; he was a man old enough to have lived before the pseudo socialists, pseudo everything satrap Castro brothers usurpation of power from the people , who had also SEEn and experienced himself the total decay and deterioration of Habana, a once vibrant and culturally alive city with more cinema theaters than New York and Paris, in his native Cuba an island in the Caribbean, with prime real estate and plenty of human resources , back then a magnet for European immigrants but no more that had been richer than some states in the American union, built in part by the hard work of very competent Brits and their children (since apparently you are one) who were close enough to mi own self, who surely are turning on their graves now for more than just the aforementioned situations.
2- Sadly it is way easier to hate and tear things down to later find a millions excuses to justify your deleterious deeds than it is to take up the challenge to build oneself, your neighbors and community, and thus your whole country up, even an adopted one , like plenty had dilligently and with much hope done before the all impoverishing and suffocating and worse for oppressive and murderous communist debacle that ensued after 1959 in his, my Cuba that sadly and tragically is still goes on.
3- WHAT AN UN NECESSARY DUMP AND ''CAGATION'' THEM COMMIES MADE OF STILL BEAUTIFUL CUBA. Shame on them commie grifters and selfish SOBs...Shema!!!.
Definitely an outstanding band from the eigties
Love this vid
Thank you ✌🏼
Without doubt, the greatest band of the 80s. Queen is Dead top 10 album ever made