The Smiths: Alternative Rock Icons of the 80's


the smiths
If you ask some of the Indie pop/rock bands of today who their influences are, the band The Smiths will most likely come up. Ever wonder why? This is because they are one of the most influential bands of the ‘80s. Beg to differ? You cannot argue with success. They are the group that has influenced many indie bands of recent years and some of mainstream rock acts such as Belle and Sebastian, Modest Mouse, Oasis, Cranberries, Blur, and Suede.

The band consists of Morrissey on vocals, Johnny Marr on guitars, Andy Rourke on bass and Mike Joyce on drums. According to many music historians, critics, and reviewers, The Smiths is the best thing that came out of the British music scene in the ‘80s. During their stint, most of the songs were created by the tandem of Morrissey and Marr. Rourke and Joyce were mere musicians and did not contribute much to the creation of songs; they only served as musicians to complete the overall sound of the band, which is not a bad thing.

Their sound was unique and brilliant. They did not follow the musical trend of the ‘80s, a time when the scene was dominated by synthesizers, electronic drums, and danceable beats. They took a different route, they blended rhythm and blues, old school rock, punk, and made it their own. Marr's guitar playing was said to be inspired by George Harrison of the Beatles, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend of The Who, John McGeoach of Siouxsie and the Banshees, and James Honeyman-Scott of The Pretenders. Usually, Marr tunes his guitar up a whole step from E to F#, an unusual tuning said to match Morrissey's vocal range.

On the other hand, Morrissey's vocal style is quite simple but powerful. The thing that more people admire about him is his songwriting brilliance. His influences in his songwriting are inspired by his experiences while he was just a little kid, discovering that life is as simple as it seems to be. Topics like death, rejection, melancholy, bitterness, hate, and misery. The majority of their songs are quite depressing to say the least, but it is up to the listeners to determine what is depressing or not. Some of their songs are sort of bittersweet and humorous. Morrissey usually sings about life's sensitive topics and adding sarcastic humor to it, making the song sound much more interesting instead of depressing all throughout.

The lyrical poetry and vocal sincerity of Morrisey, the steady guitar playing of Marr, combined with Rourke and Joyce makes The Smiths a band worth listening to. Even if they are already disbanded, their music still lives in the hearts and minds of many people.

Notable Songs by The Smiths:

  • This Charming Man
  • What Difference Does It Make
  • Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
  • How Soon is Now?
  • That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
  • There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
  • Girlfriend in a Coma
  • Sheila Take a Bow


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