The Smiths//There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Recently, I realized that I have never posted a Smiths song here. To me, that’s almost unfathomable as I believe them to be one of the Best. Bands. Ever.

My biggest problem: which song? With the RARE exception of a few duds (ahem, the overdramatic vegan anthem “Meat is a Murder”), pretty much every Smiths song is perfect, amazing and beautiful. In a rare move, I went with this on the shear basis of numbers. Even though “How Soon Is Now?” was the band’s biggest single, this is clearly everybody’s favorite…and there’s a reason.

The song is about being so in love with someone and just not knowing how to tell them. It’s also about feeling utterly isolated from your home, your family, society in general. It’s about trying to find bright spots in a world that suddenly looks awfully dark. What I’m trying to say is that this song is about being a teenager—and that’s something everyone can remember and identify with.

Actually, a number of critics speculate that the song might be based on James Dean’s character in Rebel Without a Cause. Morrissey was known to lift dialog and plot from his favorite films. Lines from Rebel are directly copied in “Stretch Out and Wait” and the plot of a 60s British play/movie called A Taste of Honey is almost certainly referenced in “This Night Has Opened My Eyes.” Of course, there's also an element of teen angst in that one. Are you sensing a theme?

Finally, I really think you should watch this.



There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.mp3

To die by your side,
The pleasure, the privilege is mine.

REM//So. Central Rain, Morrissey//Hairdresser on Fire

Hey baby. How's it going? Turns out it's OSS’s Queer Week!!! So, can I buy you a beer?

Reader, I am so dedicated to you that I am finishing Queer Week live from my vacation. I didn't have time to post yesterday because I totally misread my plane ticket and had to do a slightly mad dash to the airport. But I got here; yes, yes, I did.

Second report in the feature!!!:

My Super Queer Rock and Roll Crushes Countdown, Part 2: The Boys

2. Michael Stipe of REM

My early love of Michael Stipe should have been (and probably was) a red flag to many. He was my first rock and roll crush. Oh, how I loved him. I remember sleep overs where I would profess my sincere desire to be on this man's arm. This was often met with shrieks of, "he's gay!" I remember covering my ears and chanting my mantra over and over again to try to calm my frazzled adolescent dreams: "He's not gay. He's not gay. He's not gay. He is NOT GAY!" Well, for ages, he won't come out and say it, but dude is gay. And of course, my youthful obsession, who took his own sweet time about coming out in one of those everyone-already-knew situations, speaks volumes about my own orientation. Only difference: I wasted no time!

I was really obsessed with the picture of Michael Stipe that was on the back of Eponymous. For some reason, the internet doesn't own that image! It was Michael with beautiful blond curly locks and giant text that read, "THEY AIRBRUSHED MY FACE." Love. Love, I tell you.

Similar era, at least:



So. Central Rain.mp3
by REM

1. Morrissey of The Smiths, Morrissey

Of course, it's Morrissey. Who the fuck else would it be?!



Not his best song; just his gayest:
Hairdresser on Fire.mp3
by Morrissey

One Gay Fact: A dandy (also known as a beau, gallant or flamboyant person) is a man who places particular importance upon physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies.

You are repressed,
but you're remarkably dressed!