Listening to The Smiths on Radio Paradise

Morrissey wouldn't get away with such misogyny these days. I loved this song back in the 80s and did hear it as yer man being self-deprecatingly OTT, but over time it's left a bad taste in the mouth, particularly with Morrissey's journey into reaction on recent years. Johnny Marr's guitar is the dog's bollocks, though :o)

This was a 9, but now a 4

Posted 4 months ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

Fucking ace album and fucking ace band. And yes, Johnny Marr is a top guy.

Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe [ Reply ]

jp33442 wrote:

Even though morrissey turned into a complete asshole, i still consider the smiths a damn good band

I Agree completely!

Posted 1 year ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

MARR'S GUITAR STRIKES AGAIN! Go, Johnny, GO! Come on, crank it! THIS was such a crucial, integral part of that Mid-80s Madness, that Living-a-Vacation Vibe, that Endless Party we're still putting on here! Make those neighbors knock on the door and ask What the Hell?! Tell 'em, Don't blame me, blame RP!

Posted 1 year ago by coloradojohn [ Reply ]

Even though morrissey turned into a complete asshole, i still consider the smiths a damn good band

Posted 1 year ago by jp33442 [ Reply ]

Marr was and is still God

Posted 1 year ago by tm [ Reply ]

aspicer wrote:

Happen to notice "Jangle pop" in the info area - never heard of such types of music?! (apparently now I have...)

nonsense. Marr's guitar deserves better

Posted 1 year ago by walk2k [ Reply ]

yes, the queen is dead.
may she rest in peace.

Posted 2 years ago by danny_t [ Reply ]

Eventually the album title proved to be right.

Posted 2 years ago by MattiasE [ Reply ]

A rather different kind of song. Confessional(?) mixed with nonsense, inside a fairly catchy, bouncy tune, but it's hard to take his voice. I'll give it a 6 just so it doesn't show up in my Faves but still a decent tune.

Posted 2 years ago by stegokitty [ Reply ]

Happen to notice "Jangle pop" in the info area - never heard of such types of music?! (apparently now I have...)

Posted 2 years ago by aspicer [ Reply ]

can´t think of a band that made a more intelligent pop.

Posted 2 years ago by nmb [ Reply ]

dmcanany wrote:

Glad he's self-aware and all, but I can't imagine what it would be like to be in a relationship with him. Yikes!

I Agree! ...And, his Wiki photo is scary!!!

Posted 2 years ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

Johnny Marr

Posted 2 years ago by bennie482 [ Reply ]

Glad he's self-aware and all, but I can't imagine what it would be like to be in a relationship with him. Yikes!

Posted 3 years ago by dmcanany [ Reply ]

Great tune! I love it! ...Thanx RP!

Posted 3 years ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

icuski2 wrote:

I like music. I listen to a lot of it. Music this is not!

Then hit the skip button and shut up!

Posted 3 years ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

icuski2 wrote:

I like music. I listen to a lot of it. Music this is not!

Au contraire, mon ami

Posted 3 years ago by jasko [ Reply ]

I like music. I listen to a lot of it. Music this is not!

Posted 3 years ago by icuski2 [ Reply ]

Is it a love song, or an out of love song?

Posted 3 years ago by yootz [ Reply ]

Johnny Mar is superb on this track😊

Posted 4 years ago by Easyrider [ Reply ]

From the Smiths Wiki:
Ann Coates is a fictional singer credited with backing vocals on the 1986 single "Bigmouth Strikes Again" by The Smiths, also included on their album The Queen Is Dead.

In reality, the singer-on-helium effect was achieved by speeding up a regular harmony part by singer Morrissey. Morrissey and co-producer Johnny Marr then jokingly decided to credit this to a fictitious person.

"Her" name is derived from the Manchester district of Ancoats.

Posted 4 years ago by RatSurf [ Reply ]

Seems like the lyrics are from a random text generator. But the music is grooving, so who cares?

Posted 4 years ago by jkoser [ Reply ]

junebaby65 wrote:

Love the guitar work on this. Johnny Marr is underrated.

By whom? Names and badge numbers please!

We'll hunt them down and then they'll know how Joan of Arc felt.

Posted 4 years ago by justin4kick [ Reply ]

Now i know. He knows how Joan D'arc felt

Posted 4 years ago by grhorn [ Reply ]

Oh, if our president only had a conscience attached to his bigmouth...but he never will.

Posted 4 years ago by dmcanany [ Reply ]

Just superb. A rare ten from me.

Posted 4 years ago by Paddy_Hannan [ Reply ]

dear pinhead,
lets hear you sing

Posted 4 years ago by dbricker [ Reply ]

junebaby65 wrote:

Love the guitar work on this. Johnny Marr is underrated.

Yes, Johnny Marr is an excellent guitarist but I can’t stand Morrisey’s voice

Posted 4 years ago by cbhutchinson50 [ Reply ]

SmackDaddy wrote:

And how the hell did he know she had a hearing aid?

And I'm not 100% convinced she had a Walkman either

Posted 4 years ago by nigenet [ Reply ]

(Dances unabashedly on the gym floor as the wife shakes her head and pretends not to know me) 10!

Posted 4 years ago by keenevision [ Reply ]

"Big mouth, fa la la la?"

Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle [ Reply ]

cely wrote:

Johnny Marr is one of the very best guitar innovators, and I've made peace with Morrisey's voice. My friend used to call it "Little Lord Fauntleroy whining for a biscuit," but now I just hear it as one piece of a great band. What bugs me about this song is the gall (Gaul?) of comparing yourself to Joan of Arc. Really? You know how she felt to lead an army? To talk to Saints? To be burned at the stake? Get some perspective.

I don't think he's really comparing himself to JoA. It's called humour. Arf, arf...

Posted 5 years ago by be4con [ Reply ]

cely wrote:

Johnny Marr is one of the very best guitar innovators, and I've made peace with Morrisey's voice. My friend used to call it "Little Lord Fauntleroy whining for a biscuit," but now I just hear it as one piece of a great band. What bugs me about this song is the gall (Gaul?) of comparing yourself to Joan of Arc. Really? You know how she felt to lead an army? To talk to Saints? To be burned at the stake? Get some perspective.

And how the hell did he know she had a hearing aid?

Posted 5 years ago by SmackDaddy [ Reply ]

hbs47 wrote:

Can only second this. How can he be sing so tunelessly?

How can you write so ungrammarly?

Posted 5 years ago by SmackDaddy [ Reply ]

Rockit9 wrote:

I like the backup vocal by Alvin!

Used too much. Really annoys me when I'm hungry. Dammit.

Posted 5 years ago by kcar [ Reply ]

cely wrote:

Johnny Marr is one of the very best guitar innovators, and I've made peace with Morrisey's voice. My friend used to call it "Little Lord Fauntleroy whining for a biscuit," but now I just hear it as one piece of a great band. What bugs me about this song is the gall (Gaul?) of comparing yourself to Joan of Arc. Really? You know how she felt to lead an army? To talk to Saints? To be burned at the stake? Get some perspective.

Ah, you've rather missed Mozza's tongue-in-cheek irony here. He's deliberately being over the top in his lyrics.

Posted 5 years ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

I like the backup vocal by Alvin!

Posted 5 years ago by Rockit9 [ Reply ]

cely wrote:

Johnny Marr is one of the very best guitar innovators, and I've made peace with Morrisey's voice. My friend used to call it "Little Lord Fauntleroy whining for a biscuit," but now I just hear it as one piece of a great band. What bugs me about this song is the gall (Gaul?) of comparing yourself to Joan of Arc. Really? You know how she felt to lead an army? To talk to Saints? To be burned at the stake? Get some perspective.

His lyrics tended to contain a lot hyperbole and irony; he wasn't making a historical comparison in this song. You know - poetic license and all. Do you really think he wanted to "smash every tooth" in the subject's head, or thought they "should be bludgeoned in (their) bed" as well?

Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities [ Reply ]

Love the guitar work on this. Johnny Marr is underrated.

Posted 5 years ago by junebaby65 [ Reply ]

Imagine writing these lyrics now... 😳

Posted 5 years ago by david16 [ Reply ]

Johnny Marr is one of the very best guitar innovators, and I've made peace with Morrisey's voice. My friend used to call it "Little Lord Fauntleroy whining for a biscuit," but now I just hear it as one piece of a great band. What bugs me about this song is the gall (Gaul?) of comparing yourself to Joan of Arc. Really? You know how she felt to lead an army? To talk to Saints? To be burned at the stake? Get some perspective.

Posted 6 years ago by cely [ Reply ]

skuzzfud wrote:

I always enjoy singing along to any Smiths song using the lyrics from any OTHER Smiths song. Try it. Works flawlessly.This is the only enjoyment I gain from Smiths songs.

That's funny, mate! If only I knew lyrics to their songs I could try it! I was actually about to go 5→6 on this, then heard that 'chipmunk' backing vocal...and went 5→4.

Posted 6 years ago by lizardking [ Reply ]

I always enjoy singing along to any Smiths song using the lyrics from any OTHER Smiths song. Try it. Works flawlessly.This is the only enjoyment I gain from Smiths songs.

Posted 6 years ago by skuzzfud [ Reply ]

DrLex wrote:

At one point, probably due to chronic fatigue or some other health problem, I've had this song stuck in my head for a whole week. No matter how much music I listened to, when I stopped playing it, the song would return within a few minutes. Surprisingly, it doesn't drive me mad when I hear it again now.
If you think that must have been awful, it has also happened with “Beautiful Stranger” from Madonna. I'll take Bigmouth over that one any time.

DrLex, are you a medical doctor? If so I would seek a second opinion on your ailment because those two songs are insidious ear worms and will definitely need treatment!

Posted 6 years ago by Stephen_Phillips [ Reply ]

DocStrangelove wrote:

such a great band
such a horrible singer

Can only second this. How can he be sing so tunelessly?

Posted 6 years ago by hbs47 [ Reply ]

Best of the Best

Posted 6 years ago by MoZZ [ Reply ]

such a great band
such a horrible singer

Posted 6 years ago by DocStrangelove [ Reply ]

Their very best

Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking [ Reply ]

At one point, probably due to chronic fatigue or some other health problem, I've had this song stuck in my head for a whole week. No matter how much music I listened to, when I stopped playing it, the song would return within a few minutes. Surprisingly, it doesn't drive me mad when I hear it again now.
If you think that must have been awful, it has also happened with “Beautiful Stranger” from Madonna. I'll take Bigmouth over that one any time.

Posted 7 years ago by DrLex [ Reply ]

good one.

Posted 7 years ago by dsd [ Reply ]

I just find Morrisey's voice horrendously annoying, which is a shame, since this would otherwise be a brilliant song. Johnny Marr is top-notch.

Posted 8 years ago by ElCamoteLoco [ Reply ]

Some really awesome guitar work there Mr. Marr.

Posted 8 years ago by ick [ Reply ]

SmackDaddy wrote:

30 years late to the party?

Never too late for a Smiths party.

Posted 8 years ago by msymmes [ Reply ]

coloradojohn wrote:

Behind the cynical lyrics and snarky vocals (which I love; I think they're among the best in Music at doing it) there's the Marr guitar.

And Andy Rourke's bass lines.

Posted 8 years ago by Darlington [ Reply ]

Behind the cynical lyrics and snarky vocals (which I love; I think they're among the best in Music at doing it) there's the Marr guitar.

Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn [ Reply ]

fredriley wrote:

He is maudlin, whiny and incredibly irritating, as a person - I'd hate to be stuck in a lift with him. However, his songs and The Smiths were quite brilliant, inventive and witty.

Quite agree with that. I can't stand his solo work, but with Marr and Co., his grousing is tolerable.

Posted 8 years ago by chyk5 [ Reply ]

DuncanC wrote:

I've always found Morrissey maudlin, whiny, and incredibly irritating. I usually have to turn off RP whenever you play Morrissey or the Smiths. I for one vote to permanently remove his puling from the RP playlist.

He is maudlin, whiny and incredibly irritating, as a person - I'd hate to be stuck in a lift with him. However, his songs and The Smiths were quite brilliant, inventive and witty.

What's "puling" when it's at home?

Posted 9 years ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

heatherchutson@gmail.com wrote:

I actually am liking Morrisey and the Smiths more and more.

30 years late to the party?

Posted 9 years ago by SmackDaddy [ Reply ]

Well 12:55 here in the east. With this song playing, time to turn it off and go back to work. Yuk.

Posted 9 years ago by Chrisjea [ Reply ]

I actually am liking Morrisey and the Smiths more and more.

Posted 9 years ago by heatherchutson [ Reply ]

What a load of boring dullness

Posted 9 years ago by musicforme [ Reply ]

Outstanding tune , album, and band..

Posted 9 years ago by aspicer [ Reply ]

PSD PSD PSD

Posted 9 years ago by markus333 [ Reply ]

bokey wrote:

Need auto PSD

one more vote on this feature

Posted 9 years ago by alezz_ua [ Reply ]

Need auto PSD

Posted 9 years ago by bokey [ Reply ]

DuncanC wrote:

I've always found Morrissey maudlin, whiny, and incredibly irritating. I usually have to turn off RP whenever you play Morrissey or the Smiths. I for one vote to permanently remove his puling from the RP playlist.

i'm with you on that - but no need to switch off - checkout the PSD (Play Sumat Different) feature - works for me

Posted 9 years ago by springof63 [ Reply ]

PSD for me thanks.
Nuff said.
Thank you & Goodnight

Posted 9 years ago by springof63 [ Reply ]

...and I'm just reading about Morrissey storming off stage in Warsaw after he gets insulted by fan...

Posted 10 years ago by Contaminator [ Reply ]

An easy 1.

Posted 10 years ago by maryte [ Reply ]

An easy 10.

Posted 10 years ago by Jota [ Reply ]

....... a worthy 9 from Manchester's finest

Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw [ Reply ]

MilesW wrote:

Sick sad crap.

You bring new meaning to the title of this song. (you set yourself up for that one!)

Posted 10 years ago by MojoJojo [ Reply ]

Sick sad crap.

Posted 10 years ago by MilesW [ Reply ]

A comedic classic. 10

Posted 11 years ago by spiggy [ Reply ]

One of rock and roll's great lines:

"Now I know how Joan of Arc felt"

Posted 11 years ago by grant [ Reply ]

Never realized how disturbing this song is.

Posted 11 years ago by asilbuch [ Reply ]

So back in '86 I abhored Morrisey and his flower waving ways.
I think I mellowed, love it now!

Posted 11 years ago by Dickieb68 [ Reply ]

Why not try listening to Alanis Morissette for a change?

subdude wrote:

Getting very sick of wining singers!

Posted 11 years ago by Sakkerju [ Reply ]

Everybody in my church loves this song...

Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus [ Reply ]

listened to this on 11

wished there was a higher-rez version

Posted 11 years ago by walk [ Reply ]

Absolute classic!!

Posted 11 years ago by eroz [ Reply ]

Going to see Johnny Marr play in a month or two and will probably hear most of the big Smiths hits without Morrissey singing them. Guitar legend that he is, I am seeing him at a small venue and it will be packed with people wanting to party. . . I can't wait!

Posted 11 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly [ Reply ]

This song is too damn good!!

Posted 11 years ago by Euskadita [ Reply ]

Brilliant song. Read this letter from Morrissey to a pen pal from the early 80s, https://www.lettersofnote.com/2010/09/accept-me-for-what-i-am-completely.html

Posted 12 years ago by blackjackshellac [ Reply ]

valeriogonzalez wrote:

I FUCKING LOVE THE SMIIIIIIIIITHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DITTO!

Posted 12 years ago by jnesser [ Reply ]

super wondrous, Smiths are GREAT
morrisey's big mouth strikes again

Posted 12 years ago by hayduke2 [ Reply ]

I FUCKING LOVE THE SMIIIIIIIIITHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 12 years ago by valeriogonzalez [ Reply ]

Where is the -10 score, please stop playing this tuneless mutt. Band are great, but unfortunately instant mute.

Posted 12 years ago by hbs47 [ Reply ]

Godlike is the only appropriate description.

Posted 12 years ago by GuiltyFeat [ Reply ]

maybe you would like broadway tunes from the 40's

Posted 12 years ago by ozzie1313 [ Reply ]

I've always found Morrissey maudlin, whiny, and incredibly irritating. I usually have to turn off RP whenever you play Morrissey or the Smiths. I for one vote to permanently remove his puling from the RP playlist.

Posted 12 years ago by DuncanC [ Reply ]

I see Chip n Dale are still recording as session vocalists then.

Posted 12 years ago by stunix [ Reply ]

"Sweetness"? All I can think of, in the context of this sort of psychotic song is Colbert

Posted 12 years ago by quesarah [ Reply ]

fredriley wrote:

It's debatable and uncertain, at least going by his Wikipedia entry. With his narcissism and egotism, though, I suspect that the only person he really fancies is himself.

Brutal. Likely accurate, but brutal.

Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider [ Reply ]

I must have been busy listening to R.E.M. when this album came out back in the day. Not a complete waste of time, but some of it could have been better spent.

Posted 12 years ago by dwlangham [ Reply ]

Getting very sick of wining singers!

Posted 12 years ago by subdude [ Reply ]

Marr does some excellent guitar work on this.

Posted 12 years ago by ick [ Reply ]

Cellocaster_Paul wrote:

Man, I had so much more ENERGY when this song came out...

You hit the nail on the head. I can't imagine being up at 2:30am to put this on the turntable one more time. Loaded with memories, this.

Posted 12 years ago by siandbeth [ Reply ]

flames rose to her Roman nose.... and her hearing aid started to melt.

Posted 13 years ago by terrapin52 [ Reply ]

Hannio wrote:

You know, I thought I'd never say this, but after being forced to listen to the Smiths and Morrissey on RP, I think I have started to acquire a taste for them.

My feelings exactly. RP has been a big part of my musical education, opening my ears to stuff I thought I didn't like.

Posted 13 years ago by hcaudill [ Reply ]

Cellocaster_Paul wrote:

Man, I had so much more ENERGY when this song came out...

You're not the only one. Great tune.

Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities [ Reply ]

Man, I had so much more ENERGY when this song came out...

Posted 13 years ago by Cellocaster_Paul [ Reply ]

romeotuma wrote:

I love this song... it is good for the ears...

Very much so, Romeo. I have very pleasant memories connected to this tune - despite (or perhaps because of) its unorthodox lyrics.

Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities [ Reply ]

fredriley wrote:

It's debatable and uncertain, at least going by his Wikipedia entry. With his narcissism and egotism, though, I suspect that the only person he really fancies is himself.

Fred, you alright. Great song BTW.

Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph [ Reply ]

apd wrote:

But PS: pretty certain Moz is gay.)

It's debatable and uncertain, at least going by his Wikipedia entry. With his narcissism and egotism, though, I suspect that the only person he really fancies is himself.

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

fredriley wrote:

STFU homophobe. As it happens, Morrissey isn't gay, at least publicly, though there's plainly an element of homoeroticism in his work. And if he were gay, WTF difference would it make?

Oh, and quit molesting Marina.

Nicely done, Fred, with an obscure Gerry Anderson reference FTW.

(But PS: pretty certain Moz is gay.)

Posted 14 years ago by apd [ Reply ]

I've been on both sides of the love-hate relationship with Morrissey and the Smiths. Right now I rate this a 9.

Posted 14 years ago by Hannio [ Reply ]

One of the great Smiths tracks. I love moving to this!

Posted 14 years ago by eroz [ Reply ]

Anax wrote:

Wasn't there, don't get him at all.

It's pop anarchy. There's nothing to get.

Throw everything on your desk into the fire and go dancing down the middle of the street.

I gave it a 9.

Posted 14 years ago by The_Enemy [ Reply ]

Wasn't there, don't get him at all.

Posted 14 years ago by Anax [ Reply ]

Posted 14 years ago by warderblu [ Reply ]

Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1 [ Reply ]

Stingray wrote:

HATE GAY-ROCKERS with lyrical attitudes!

STFU homophobe. As it happens, Morrissey isn't gay, at least publicly, though there's plainly an element of homoeroticism in his work. And if he were gay, WTF difference would it make?

Oh, and quit molesting Marina.

Posted 14 years ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

quesarah wrote:

Good LORD. Sweetness. ( Reminds me of Colbert. )

What is/was wrong with that guy?

He was, and still is, an arrested adolescent with the emotional maturity of a 14yo. Great songwriter, and I used to be a major Smiths fan, but he's not the sort of guy you'd want to be stuck in the lift with. Or, if you're a woman, go out with. It's fair to say that he has 'emotional issues', but for us listeners that's a plus as his adolescent angst generates great songs.

Posted 14 years ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

I actually understand why some might not like this, however, I do.

Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph [ Reply ]

i really try hard not to listen to the lyrics, unfortunately they seep in like a leak in your boat. Now i want to gouge out my ears with a rusty fork. MOMMY

Posted 14 years ago by Kattw8 [ Reply ]

I wish I would have seen them live.

Posted 14 years ago by Seahunt [ Reply ]

Good LORD. Sweetness. ( Reminds me of Colbert. )

What is/was wrong with that guy?