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The Smiths — A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours
Album: Strangeways Here We Come
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2770









Released: 1987
Length: 2:51
Plays (last 30 days): 3
OH HELLO
I am the ghost of Troubled Joe
Hung by his pretty white neck
Some eighteen months ago
I travelled to a mystical time zone
And I missed my bed
And I soon came home

They said :
"There's too much caffeine
In your bloodstream
And a lack of real spice
In your life"


I said :
"Leave me alone
Because I'm alright, dad
Surprised to still
Be on my own..."


Oh, but don't mention love
I'd hate the strain of the pain again
A rush and a push and the land that
We stand on is ours
It has been before
So it shall be again
And people who are uglier than you and I
They take what they need, and just leave


Oh, but don't mention love
I'd hate the pain of the strain all over again
A rush and a push and the land that
We stand on is ours
It has been before
So why can't it be now ?
And people who are weaker than you or I
They take what they want from life


Oh, but don't mention love
No - no, don't mention love !
A rush and a push and the land that
We stand on is ours
Your youth may be gone
But you're still a young man
So phone me, phone me, phone me
So phone me, phone me, phone me


Oh, I think I'm in love
Oh, I think I'm in love
Oh, I think I'm in love (think I'm in love)
Urrgh, I think I'm in lerv
Oh ...
Comments (170)add comment
his voice is unmistakable
Quite enjoy the electric piano/marimba on this song. And I believe it's the only Smiths song without any guitar from Johnny, interestingly enough!

 bruceandjenna wrote:

Thought he was singing "A Russian push and the land is ours".  Which perfectly fits the current moment in Ukraine.

Lyrics by Vladimir Putin.



Dear Lord, if only...
Andy.. Forever in the hearts of most Mancunians.
 flyboy50 wrote:

You either 'get' Morrissey or you don't.



^^^^Facts. Weirdly the time you're listening to them makes a diff too. Not that I recall delivering a print job at 2am, speeding down the interstate *screaming* along with "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" or anything.
 NeuroJoe wrote:


Nothing that antibiotics can't clear up  :)

Ha ha wish he would just go away like his buddy trump
 flyboy50 wrote:

You either 'get' Morrissey or you don't.



Nothing that antibiotics can't clear up  :)
skip
 fredriley wrote:



Which Morrissey would that be? The effeminate peace-loving daffodil waving Morrissey of the Smiths, or the bitter, reactionary, union-jack-waving of today?

He's a great writer, a so-so singer, but if I were stuck in a lift with him only one of us would come out alive. The guy's a far-Right xenophobe with all the charm of a septic tank. I write that as someone who was a major Smiths fanboy back in the  80s.



We change. 
 fredriley wrote:



Which Morrissey would that be? The effeminate peace-loving daffodil waving Morrissey of the Smiths, or the bitter, reactionary, union-jack-waving of today?

He's a great writer, a so-so singer, but if I were stuck in a lift with him only one of us would come out alive. The guy's a far-Right xenophobe with all the charm of a septic tank. I write that as someone who was a major Smiths fanboy back in the  80s.

Who cares?
He's a bigmouth and he refuses to shut off. He's right, he is courageous and he still a great artist.
 flyboy50 wrote:

You either 'get' Morrissey or you don't.




Which Morrissey would that be? The effeminate peace-loving daffodil waving Morrissey of the Smiths, or the bitter, reactionary, union-jack-waving of today?

He's a great writer, a so-so singer, but if I were stuck in a lift with him only one of us would come out alive. The guy's a far-Right xenophobe with all the charm of a septic tank. I write that as someone who was a major Smiths fanboy back in the  80s.
Good Tune!  Great band! Creepy lead singer!   Thanx RP!   
Thought he was singing "A Russian push and the land is ours".  Which perfectly fits the current moment in Ukraine.

Lyrics by Vladimir Putin.
It's so funny, I always thought he was a wanker, my soft Morrissey fan friends always shot me down, look who's laughing now.

(Me.)
"So f**k me, f**k me, f**k me... "

I can't unhear that.
 reallylost wrote:

Morrissey is a wanker.



so's yer muthah!!!
Brilliant album to say toodle-pip!

Death of a Disco Dancer is epic 👍
 flyboy50 wrote:

You either 'get' Morrissey or you don't.




No one gets him if he doesn't get himself.
Morrissey is a wanker.
 sfyi2001 wrote:
N O .



WRONG!
Excellent!!!
Cool...  Hearing The Church's "Reptile" a few songs ago made me crave The Smiths, another group who had masterful, jamming guitar, clever lyrics, unique vocal stylings, killer percussion... Here they are! 
 JanzieNL wrote:
Somebody kill me, my ears are bleeding.
 
The source of the bleeding is likely to kill you sooner than anything else - cheers!
 scrubbrush wrote:
Of course Morrissey can make a reggae tune sound sad...
One of his strengths, and he had some...

What is not to like about the Smiths? Read a great bio on them after they split...another sad story of someone not ready to put in the same energy as bandmates. But stopping while you're still great isn't so bad, either
 tonyjory wrote:
I don't get it, nor approve of it.
Pop music doesn't suit blank verse.
 
Or blank verse doesn't suit pop music, maybe.

Either way, I don't think that's blank verse.  Blank verse does not rhyme but has a regular meter (usually iambic pentameter).  
 flyboy50 wrote:
You either 'get' Morrissey or you don't.
 
Well, I don't -- and I don't think anyone who ever had a music lesson does, either.
 rainbowdb wrote:
This is the first time I've ever heard this on any radio station!  Love RP..
 

I guess you didn't listen to radio in the late 80s.
N O .
 tonyjory wrote:


tonyjory wrote:

I don't get it, nor approve of it.
Pop music doesn't suit blank verse.



 

 tonyjory wrote:

I don't get it, nor approve of it.
Pop music doesn't suit blank verse.


 

 flyboy50 wrote:
You either 'get' Morrissey or you don't.
 

5 to 7 on this Friday afternoon.  Hitting the spot
 flyboy50 wrote:
You either 'get' Morrissey or you don't.
 
I don't.
This is the first time I've ever heard this on any radio station!  Love RP..
yeah, WHFS was great, and very much in the same stream of RP. There's a doc about it - I haven't seen it, I just remember one of the filmmakers mentioning it on a listserve. 

There's a little bio about Weasel on the website - 
Bronx born and raised in Long Island, legendary deejay "Weasel" got his music and radio bugs at at American University in DC where he joined the student radio station WAMU in the late 60's. In 1970 he was hired by WHFS 102.3 FM and his 45 year career began and is still flourishing today. He spent 13 years on WHFS 102.3 FM and then another 20 years with 99.1 FM. Along the way Weasel worked with fifth Beatle and deejay "Murray the K"who once handed him a slip of paper with a phone number on it and said, "Please call this number and get John Lennon on the phone". Currently he can be heard as the host of "Weasel's Wild Weekend" on Towson University's 89.7 WTMD.
NCEyeballKid wrote:
A DJ in the Washington, DC always introduced him as "Miserable Morrissey".  But it was always meant with love!

For those of you who remember Weasel at WHFS, here the last thing I can find:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/whatever-happened-towhfs-dj-jonathan-weasel-gilbert/2011/03/18/AFtkjExC_story.html 
 
 

mgoldman wrote:

I worked at WHFS in the mid to late 70's.  Weasel is still around: https://wtmd.org/radio/sample-...



 
I remember Weasel and WHFS. IMO it was the best station around. More than likely a radio station that Bill would have approved of.

From the Washington Post

"Before corporate-owned stations devised playlists based on market research, the WHFS “jocks” broadcast sets that spanned genres and formats, based on themes, the weather or their moods."

Wonder if Weasel listens to RP.

Of course Morrissey can make a reggae tune sound sad...
 flyboy50 wrote:
You either 'get' Morrissey or you don't.
 
I don't!
 NCEyeballKid wrote:
A DJ in the Washington, DC always introduced him as "Miserable Morrissey".  But it was always meant with love!

For those of you who remember Weasel at WHFS, here the last thing I can find:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/whatever-happened-towhfs-dj-jonathan-weasel-gilbert/2011/03/18/AFtkjExC_story.html 
 
I worked at WHFS in the mid to late 70's.  Weasel is still around: https://wtmd.org/radio/sample-...


 thewiseking wrote:
Blew his wad in Big Mouth

 Hahahahaha! That was really funny!
 But i've been working for thirteen hours , so I don't know, maybe it wasn't.
Yes, it was. {#Roflol}

wonderfully melanchologic
Blew his wad in Big Mouth
Oh yeah. Thanks for the perfect dose of nostalgia.
Fantastic, one of my favourites from Smiths! :D
Not my favorite of The Smiths, but it's still nice to hear again.
 JanzieNL wrote:
Somebody kill me, my ears are bleeding.
 

Is this a form of evolution? If all the Smiths haters ‘topped’ themselves then those of us left will sire a new generation of music lovers. 


 JanzieNL wrote:
Somebody kill me, my ears are bleeding.

 
That works?
You either 'get' Morrissey or you don't.
I also love the Smiths, grew up on them, even pretended I was Morrissey for a while, sticking gladioli in my back pocket (my mother was furious when she saw the garden mayhem, but I blamed it on the dog - wicked me, sorry dog, and sorry Mum!). This, though, must be the least notable track on their least remarkable album - but then again, there would always have to be a track like that, no matter what. From here on it's all glorious!
By the way, I also think a little Aerosmith would be welcome now and then - not all of us in the world have immediate access to mainstream American radio, whether that's a good thing or not.
And perhaps a bit more Patti Smith too, some Elliott Smith, and maybe even some more Robert Smith (but no Sam, please!)
Love The Smiths! Always have, always will. You guys commenting on how you don't like them probably suffer from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder or something like that.
 MilesW wrote:
Any Smiths is PSD. For me at least...

 
Yea me too. Sorry but i just can't stand 'em. However i find the PSD feature too slow to react, so i let my iTunes pick somthing from my library to play until the 'now playing' display on RP changes. Today i got 'Song Of Yesterday' by Black Country Communion - don't think i've heard it before. Liking it a lot even if it is over 8 minutes long !!
 treatment_bound wrote:


There's only one Aerosmith song here in Radio Paradise's library ("Dream On"), and it's been on the shelf for three years now.

But just turn on any classic rock station, and  "Sweet Emotion" or "Walk This Way" will show up REAL SOON, right after "Bargain" by The Who.

 
Or Benny and the Jets. And Piano Man. And Stairway to Heaven. And Glory Days. And...
I like his growl....grrrrrr. 
 springof63 wrote:

when it's Aerosmith's

 

There's only one Aerosmith song here in Radio Paradise's library ("Dream On"), and it's been on the shelf for three years now.

But just turn on any classic rock station, and  "Sweet Emotion" or "Walk This Way" will show up REAL SOON, right after "Bargain" by The Who.
Somebody kill me, my ears are bleeding.
 MilesW wrote:
Any Smiths is PSD. For me at least...

 
Amen
Any Smiths is PSD. For me at least...
 Dav3thedog wrote:
Any Smiths is good Smiths!
 
when its Aerosmith's
A DJ in the Washington, DC always introduced him as "Miserable Morrissey".  But it was always meant with love!

For those of you who remember Weasel at WHFS, here the last thing I can find:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/whatever-happened-towhfs-dj-jonathan-weasel-gilbert/2011/03/18/AFtkjExC_story.html 
Everybody in my homeless camp loves this song...
Love at first sight with this one....{#Hearteyes}
I like the little random xylophone twinkling in the background every now and then ... the rest of it?  Meh.
One band I wouldn't mind never hearing again.
 Seahunt wrote:
One band I wished I would have seen.  Damn.

 

Me too...back in 88 I had tickets for a festival where they were main act.
But they cancelled...due to the burgers that were sold on the festival. {#Eh} 
YAY {#Clap}
 jt1 wrote:


Before hearing this song I have completely agreed with you. This song however could almost be described as upbeat.
I'm actually finding myself quite liking a Smiths song...I wonder what's next...Radiohead?

 
God help you!
Any Smiths is good Smiths!
 govna wrote:
he always comes across as an 8yr old girl reading her diary.
 
Promise that you'll never tell me how you know this. 
I like the Smiths music for its uniqueness  
 hbs47 wrote:

I agree I just can't get his tuneless dirgey voice.
 

Before hearing this song I have completely agreed with you. This song however could almost be described as upbeat.
I'm actually finding myself quite liking a Smiths song...I wonder what's next...Radiohead?
 warderblu wrote:


All Smiths are a 10!
 

HM Prison Manchester (often referred to as Strangeways) is a high-security male prison situated in Manchester,
 govna wrote:
he always comes across as an 8yr old girl reading her diary.
 
I wouldn't know what that sounds like - I guess I'll have to take your word for it.
 bokey wrote:

Only  weapon

 
THANK you.
he always comes across as an 8yr old girl reading her diary.
 ubuntourist wrote:
I'm just not "wired" for The Smiths.
 
I agree I just can't get his tuneless dirgey voice.
I'm just not "wired" for The Smiths.
 Seahunt wrote:
One band I wished I would have seen.  Damn.
 
Morrissey is still touring, I believe. Heard he played a small venue in Dallas the other day... I would expect he would be playing some of the old Smiths stuff
I"d like to hear him do a duet with Bjork. 
All that growling would be a hoot. 
geeeeez....
awesome!
 
 Bosami wrote:
. . . and while we are on the topic, Johnny Marr is The Smiths secret weapon. What a great, under-rated guitarist.
 
Only  weapon

Great.  Song.  
One band I wished I would have seen.  Damn.
David Byrne has more talent in his little finger than Morrissey has all over. 

I agree Jonny Marr, underrated and wasted in that band. IMO of course!  {#Tongue}
 Bosami wrote:
...and while we are on the topic, Johnny Marr is The Smiths secret weapon. What a great, under-rated guitarist.
 
{#Yes}



All Smiths are a 10!
And it's a 10  {#Boohoo}
 crockydile wrote:
This song encapsulates everything that I don't like about Morrissey.
 
What a shame for you cause this song is a classic and it rocks.
This song encapsulates everything that I don't like about Morrissey.

...and while we are on the topic, Johnny Marr is The Smiths secret weapon. What a great, under-rated guitarist.
An alltime classic!!!
 Pharlap wrote:
Best. band. of. the .80's.
 
Or possibly ever.

Too bad the Marr-Morrissey chemistry didn't last, and too bad neither has done anything to match since.
Best. band. of. the .80's.
{#Pray} Let this end, please, NOW!

I would really like to hear this played by a punk band.
Or something other played by a punk band.
Or something totally else by someone totally else.
That'd be cool.
 oscar_driver wrote:
PLEASE< MORE OF THIS, less DB and the  TH's ....
yesss this is niceee! 
 

Yeah David Byrne Fricken stinks...{#Puke}
PLEASE< MORE OF THIS, less DB and the  TH's ....
yesss this is niceee! 
 Seahunt wrote:
I love The Smiths but when I sing in my Morrisey voice, my mini dachshunds howl.

Wish I could have seen them (The Smiths) in concert

 
Hey, I'd pay to hear your mini-dachsunds howling :o)

 bokey wrote:
Huh- a Smiths song that sucks.Imagine that.
  
 
chyk5 wrote:
Huh-a windbag with an inane comment. Imagine that.

There are certainly inane comments floating around here, but in fairness to "bokey" I think his was an attempt (successfully in my case) at humour. 



I love The Smiths but when I sing in my Morrisey voice, my mini dachshunds howl.

Wish I could have seen them (The Smiths) in concert

 ktnsb wrote:
I've never been interested in this band. In the 80s they seemed to epitomize a branch of pop music that I had no connection to whatsoever, and so I'm utterly ignorant of their work, save what Bill plays here. Most of that has been abysmally bad, in my opinion, with Morrissey barely even capable of carrying a tune decently, let alone other essential musical attributes rising even to "good".
All that bad stuff said, I'm pleased to hear this song. It shows that they used to have talent, passion and creativity. Although I'm still not interested in pursuing their catalog, I can at least see why people held them in high regard.
Another bias bites the dust.

 

It is so great to hear a negative comment that isn't "this sucks," or worse yet that god-awful "puke" icon with no other explanation.

Great comment, ktnsb. I'm sure lots of people will disagree with you, but you made your point well and intelligently.
Great song!
bokey wrote:
Huh- a Smiths song that sucks.Imagine that.
Huh-a windbag with an inane comment. Imagine that.
I love The Smiths! Thank you Bill for playing them occasionally. Even songs such as this one (which is low on my fav Smiths songs) bring a smile to my face and take me back to high school for a moment. Riding in the back of my best friend's Cabriolet convertible, singing at the top of our voices and in our best English accent. Or hearing "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" at the same friend's older brother's funeral. The Smiths really helped to make made my high school years (along with The Pixies) bearable, all the happy and sad moments.
Huh- a Smiths song that sucks. Imagine that.
Thanks for playing this. I was probably listening to this song at this exact moment 20 years ago on a dubbed cassette playing off the mini ghetto blaster I had won at my After Prom party.
Oh Morrissey, you rock my world.
I've never been interested in this band. In the 80s they seemed to epitomize a branch of pop music that I had no connection to whatsoever, and so I'm utterly ignorant of their work, save what Bill plays here. Most of that has been abysmally bad, in my opinion, with Morrissey barely even capable of carrying a tune decently, let alone other essential musical attributes rising even to "good". All that bad stuff said, I'm pleased to hear this song. It shows that they used to have talent, passion and creativity. Although I'm still not interested in pursuing their catalog, I can at least see why people held them in high regard. Another bias bites the dust.
Thanks Bill, you just made my day!
Heh. Jonathan Ross was trying to hug Morrissey after performing on his show last night, but Moz was having none of it.
geordiezimmerman wrote:
Best band of the 80's by far.
Whoah now! The Smiths are awesome and all. But "the best?" No effing way.
I agree with chucklesalmon and tg3k's comments below, and I know we're not alone. No disrespect intended, but it's during those '80's retread tunes that I find myself headed downstream for something with a little soul. Otherwise, luv ya' Bill & RP.
I sure hope he gets that frog out of his throat soon......
Love the smiths, love the smiths, love the smiths. Best band of the 80's by far. Love the smiths, love the smiths, love the smiths
chucklesalmon wrote:
oh, no, another andenoidal, whiny britsh guy singing a really bad melody over and over. ...the only side of RP I don't like when it veers towads this.
Can't help but notice that you gave Kate Bush a rating of ten...I like Kate Bush and I like The Smiths, but I'm sure you will have spotted the fact that both Kate Bush and Morrisey are British, and even Kate's supporters would say she can sing in a whiny stylee, sometimes the same melody over and over...
OMG........ Have loved this special song since I've heard it for the first time.
Sounds like the Oklahoma land run. "And off you go then, five tribes. I think there's a spot over there for ya. Time to settle this land."
sonofpick wrote:
Have you seen that guy lately?
Recently at some of his recent shows there have actually been calls by fans to put his shirt back on... Oi! Moz! No!