https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAJ_74tDZzU As we know, The Smiths could do everything: blues, joy, angst, misery. This song is misery. But that doesn't mean it's morose. Rather, like 'The End of the Affair' by Graham Greene, it's an acceptance that was once golden is now broken - and it's time to move on. Morrissey, of course, wants to run home to his mum. This song is the coda to 'There is a Light..." as the end of a doomed affair. And listen to the band - conducted by Johnny, the music just builds, builds and builds. Never has understatement sounded so bullish. And for all those that consider Morrissey to be a waspish snob, he shows his real hand here: "It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate, it takes guts to be gentle and kind." So he is lovely after all, sort of. Just not marriage material.
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