The ability of Morrissey to blur the line between satire and seriousness was a highlight of his contributions to The Smiths. Their discography may appear lively and catchy. But a closer examination of the lyrics and subject matter reveals a delectable blend of wit and darkness that keeps you guessing. However, while many songs are undeniable masterpieces, there was one that band member Johnny Marr despised.
Despite their disagreements on many issues, Morrissey and Marr both appreciate their album Strangeways, Here We Come. They both consider it their favorite album. It makes perfect sense given the number of hits it produced. It was from ‘Girlfriend in a Coma’ and ‘Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me’ to ‘Unhappy Birthday’.
Also, it has a fascinating backstory: inspired by Manchester’s most notorious prison, which was known as “Strangeways” at the time. The band saw it as the ideal moniker for the musical and personal journey they were about to embark on. Strangeways, to them, represented unpredictability, going against the grain, and something sinister lurking.
Morrisey told Q Magazine, “I feel like anything absurd can happen right now. If I ended up in Strangeways, it wouldn’t surprise me.”
However, a specific aspect of Strangeways, Here We Come eventually led to Marr’s departure from the band. Specifically, ‘Work Is A Four Letter Word‘ is the B-side to ‘Girlfriend in a Coma‘ and a cover of Cilla Black’s original song. The decision to cover this piece irritated Marr, who felt it didn’t fit with their style or make them appear as credible as he had hoped.
In an interview with Record Collector, he said, “I hated ‘Work Is A Four Letter Word.'” That was the final straw. I did not form a group to perform Cilla Black’s songs. That was it. I decided to go on holiday. The only place I could think of was L.A. L.A. was the only place I knew where there’d be sunshine, so off I went. I never saw Morrissey again.”
Despite their disagreements, Marr and Morrissey went on to have successful solo careers. Particularly Marr, who quickly became known as a rock and roll icon, frequently lent his talents to prestigious albums and collaborated with rock heavyweights such as The Killers. On the other hand, Morrissey continued on his path to becoming one of the most divisive figures in the industry.
The singer has acknowledged this on numerous occasions, most recently claiming that he is being erased from The Smiths’ history. This came after he accused the industry of attempting to ruin his career. He described it as people who have “no honest interest in music” driving it. And figures that you follow “into the shadows at your peril”.
