http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgxEJOi6GtA Johnny Marr's unashamed tribute to the Stones, though I would argue this is better than anything in the Stone's cannon. My only quibble - why didn't they use the electric guitars on the record? The version they played on the Old Grey Whistle test - with Craig Gannon on rhythm guitar was so loud and powerful, a hint at the stadiums that Marr was looking to fill, but Morrissey was reluctant to play, which was ultimately a factor in their demise. Again, a relative flop as a single, but such was The Smiths lot at this stage of their career. The obvious single choice from 'The Queen Is Dead' was #2 on this list, but nonetheless, this is a force of nature. And as always, the music was so good it felt like a hygiene factor, and who else but Morrissey could utter the line "Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking when I said I'd like to smash every tooth in your head, oh sweetness, sweetness I was only joking when I said you should be bludgeoned in your bed."
What makes music fantastic? Star quality, amazing music, breathtaking lyrics and the ability to bring something new to the table, even if that means a new take on the classics. That's what I love to listen to and write about.
As well as writing for What Culture, I occasionally write a blog http://tedney.blogspot.co.uk and sometimes use Twitter, but sparingly @TedneyNash