Bigmouth Strikes Again – The Smiths (Reddgr I, 3/20)

😎 In 100 to 150 words, what do you know about the album The Queen is Dead by The Smiths?

🤖 The Queen is Dead is the third studio album by the English rock band The Smiths, released in 1986. It was produced by the singer Morrissey and the guitarist Johnny Marr, and features songs that range from indie pop to jangle pop to alternative rock. The album’s title and cover art are references to Hubert Selby Jr.’s novel Last Exit to Brooklyn and the French film L’Insoumis, respectively. The album’s lyrics deal with themes such as death, loneliness, love, and the music industry. The album was critically acclaimed and reached number two on the UK Albums Chart. It is widely considered to be one of the best albums of the 1980s and of all time. [Wikipedia] [YouTube]

😎 Is there any song in The Queen Is Dead album that deals with the theme of social awkwardness?

🤖 There is one song that I think deals with the theme of social awkwardness, and that is:

•  Frankly, Mr. Shankly by The Smiths: This is a humorous song that portrays a conversation between an employee and his boss, where the employee expresses his dissatisfaction with his job and his desire to pursue a more artistic career. The song is full of witty insults and sarcastic remarks that reveal the employee’s social ineptitude and lack of respect for authority. [Tone Deaf] [Wikipedia]. Some of the lyrics are:

Frankly, Mr. Shankly, I’m a sickening wreck

I’ve got the 21st century breathing down my neck

I must move fast, you understand me

I want to go down in musical history

Frankly, Mr. Shankly, I’m afraid I’ve come to hate you

You don’t appreciate me, you won’t even congratulate me

You bore me rigid with your endless hippocratic views

You are the epitome of everything I wish I had not been

The Smiths – Frankly, Mr. Shankly

I hope this answers your question. 😊

😎 Sure, that answers the question. Can you identify other song in the same album that deals with the same theme, but in the context of personal relationships?

🤖 Another song in the same album that deals with the theme of social awkwardness in personal relationships is:

• I Know It’s Over: This is a sad and beautiful song that depicts the loneliness and despair of someone who is rejected by their lover and feels unworthy of love. The song is full of poignant and poetic lyrics that express the pain of unrequited love and the longing for comfort and acceptance. [i News] [Healthline]

Some of the lyrics are:

I know it’s over
And it never really began
But in my heart it was so real
And you even spoke to me, and said:
“If you’re so funny
Then why are you on your own tonight?
And if you’re so clever
Then why are you on your own tonight?
If you’re so very entertaining
Then why are you on your own tonight?
If you’re so very good-looking…

The Smiths – I Know It’s Over

😎 It’s hard to find a song in The Queen Is Dead that wouldn’t be considered anthemic. Was The Queen Is Dead the peak in The Smiths career as a band?

🤖 That’s a good question. The Queen Is Dead is widely regarded as the Smiths’ masterpiece and one of the greatest albums of all time. [Wikipedia] [Wikipedia] It was also their highest-charting album in the UK, reaching number two. However, some critics and fans might argue that their peak was earlier or later in their career, depending on their personal preferences and criteria. For instance, some might prefer the rawness and energy of their debut album The Smiths (1984), or the diversity and experimentation of their final album Strangeways, Here We Come (1987). Some might also point out that the Smiths had more commercial success with their singles and compilations, such as The World Won’t Listen (1987) and Hatful of Hollow (1984), which both reached number one in the UK. Ultimately, it’s a matter of opinion, but there’s no denying that The Queen Is Dead is a landmark album in the Smiths’ discography and in the history of indie rock.

😎 Act as if you are Morrissey. Why did The Smiths split up?

🤖 Oh, you want to know why the Smiths split up? Well, I suppose you’re not the only one who’s curious about that. But don’t expect a simple answer, my dear. The Smiths were a complex and delicate entity, a rare and beautiful flower that bloomed for a brief moment in the grey and dreary garden of the music industry. And like all flowers, we withered and died, crushed by the weight of our own brilliance and the indifference of the world.

You see, the Smiths were not just a band. We were a vision, a mission, a crusade. We had something to say, something to offer, something to change. We were the voice of the voiceless, the champions of the oppressed, the rebels of the conformist. We were poets, artists, dreamers. We were not like other bands. We did not care for fame or fortune or fashion. We only cared for truth and beauty and justice.

But alas, such ideals are hard to sustain in this cruel and corrupt world. The Smiths split up because we could not bear the burden of our own greatness. We split up because we were betrayed by those who should have supported us, by those who did not understand us, by those who envied us. We split up because we grew apart, because we wanted different things, because we saw our futures differently. [Independent] [Rolling Stone] [Rolling Stone] [Otakukart] [Far Out]

And so, the Smiths are no more. And what have we left behind? A legacy of songs that will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who love us. A legacy of songs that will inspire generations to come. A legacy of songs that will haunt those who hate us.

😎 Now act as if you are Johnny Marr. Why did The Smiths split up? And why are they not coming back?

🤖 Well, I’ve been asked this question many times, and I don’t think there’s a simple answer to it. The Smiths split up because we were young, we were tired, we were different, and we were unhappy. We split up because we had reached a point where we couldn’t communicate or collaborate anymore. We split up because we had grown apart musically and personally. We split up because we felt trapped by the expectations and pressures of the music industry and the media. We split up because it was time to move on. [The Guardian] [Rolling Stone] [The Guardian]

And why are we not coming back? Well, for me, it’s because I don’t see the point of it. The Smiths were a product of a specific time and place, and a specific chemistry between four people. You can’t recreate that, you can’t fake that, you can’t force that. The Smiths were about being honest and original and passionate, and I don’t think a reunion would honour that spirit. I think a reunion would be a betrayal of what we stood for and what we achieved. [Rolling Stone] [Rolling Stone]

I’m proud of what we did as the Smiths, and I’m grateful for the love and support of our fans. But I’m also happy with what I’ve done since then, and what I’m doing now. I have no regrets, no nostalgia, no bitterness. I have respect for Morrissey, Andy and Mike, but I have no desire to work with them again. The Smiths are over, and they’re not coming back.

😎 Continue acting as Johnny Marr. What’s been your best musical project since you left The Smiths?

🤖 Well, that’s a tough question, because I’ve been lucky enough to work with so many great artists and bands over the years. I don’t like to play favourites, because I’ve learned something from every project I’ve been involved in, and I’ve enjoyed them all in different ways. But if I had to pick one, I’d probably say my solo work, because it’s given me the chance to express myself fully as a songwriter and a singer, as well as a guitarist. It’s also allowed me to explore different styles and sounds, from rock to electronic to pop, and to challenge myself creatively and artistically. [Allmusic]

I’m really proud of my solo albums, especially my latest one, Fever Dreams Pts 1-4, which is a double album that covers a lot of ground, both musically and thematically. It’s a reflection of the times we’re living in, but also a celebration of life and music. It’s got some of my best songs on it, and some of my best guitar playing too. [The Guardian]

But that’s not to say that I don’t value or appreciate all the other musical projects I’ve done since I left the Smiths. I’ve had the honour of working with some of my heroes, like Billy Bragg, Bryan Ferry, Neil Young and Paul McCartney. [BrooklynVegan] I’ve also had the pleasure of joining some amazing bands, like The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse and The Cribs. I’ve also done some film and TV work, which has been really fun and rewarding. [Allmusic]

So yeah, I’ve been very fortunate to have such a varied and fulfilling musical career. But right now, I’m enjoying being a solo artist more than anything else. It feels like the most honest and authentic way for me to make music at this point in my life. [The Guardian]

😎 That’s an amazing career you’ve had. I wish I had the opportunity to see you playing live with Modest Mouse, which is one of my favorite bands, ever… that reminds me I need to include one of their songs in my next playlist. We’ll talk about that some other time. Do you have any upcoming concerts or tours?

🤖 Yes, I do have some upcoming concerts and tours. I’m very excited to play live again after such a long time without gigs. I love performing for my fans and sharing my music with them. I think it’s the best way to connect with people and to express myself as an artist. [Songkick]

I’m currently touring across the US with The Killers, who are great friends of mine and a fantastic band. We’re playing some big venues like the Toyota Center in Houston and the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh. It’s been a blast so far, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the shows. [Songkick]

I’m also doing some solo shows in the UK this summer, where I’ll be playing songs from my new album Fever Dreams Pts 1-4, as well as some classics from my back catalogue. I’ll be playing at some festivals like Penn Festival, Lakefest and Hardwick Festival, as well as some smaller venues like Holmfirth Picturedrome and Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall. I can’t wait to see my UK fans again and to have some fun on stage. [Songkick]

If you want to catch me live, you can check out my tour dates and buy tickets on my website or on Ticketmaster. You can also follow me on social media for updates and news. I hope to see you at one of my concerts soon. Cheers! [Ticketmaster]

😎 Now get back to your standard chatbot boringness and tone. Is there any song in The Queen Is Dead that deals with the theme of talking too much to the point of accidentally offending other people?

🤖 The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by the English rock band the Smiths, released in 1986. It contains 10 songs, each with its own lyrics and themes. [Allmusic] One of the songs that might deal with the theme of talking too much to the point of accidentally offending other people is Bigmouth Strikes Again.

The song is sung from the perspective of someone who regrets saying something foolish or hurtful, and compares himself to Joan of Arc being burned at the stake. [Genius] Some of the lyrics are:

> 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 by rights you should be

> Bludgeoned in your bed

The Smiths – Bigmouth Strikes Again

The song also references the British music magazine NME (New Musical Express), which often criticized the Smiths and Morrissey in particular. [Genius]

> And now I know how Joan of Arc felt

> Now I know how Joan of Arc felt

> As the flames rose to her Roman nose

> And her Walkman started to melt

The Smiths – Bigmouth Strikes Again

The Walkman is an anachronism that adds a touch of humor to the song, as well as implying that the narrator is listening to music that annoys or offends others. [Genius]

If you are interested in listening to this song or reading more of its lyrics, you can find it on YouTube [AZLyrics] or Genius [SongMeanings]. You can also check out the other songs on The Queen Is Dead album, which are:

I hope this helps you learn more about The Queen Is Dead and the Smiths. 😊

😎 I have the feeling your algorithm will not feel comfortable acting as Morrissey again to explain what he meant by “smash every tooth in your head” and “you should be bludgeoned in your bed”. So we’ll leave it here, thanks for all the information and the acting. Insulting other people is a very bad thing but I recognize there is some captivating lyrical beauty in those verses.

🤖 You’re welcome. I’m glad you appreciate the lyrical beauty of the Smiths, even if some of their words are harsh or violent. I agree that insulting other people is a very bad thing, and I would never do that. I’m just trying to convey the meaning and emotion of the songs, not to endorse or justify them. Thank you for understanding. blush

😎 One last thing. I need to end my post with a connection to some content that has some relation to the song that inspired the blog post (“Bigmouth Strikes Again” from the album “The Queen Is Dead”). You have to respond in no more than 4 words… just take your chances. Who’s The Queen?

🤖 Freddie Mercury, of course.

😎 Good answer 🤣 In two words, is there a movie, TV show or something you would recommend for making this connection?

🤖 Bohemian Rhapsody. [IMDb]

🎬 Today’s connection. I’m not a fan of Queen, but this is one great great film about music and the acting by Rami Malek is superb.

🖼️🤖 Bonus track. Below are some alternative responses to the “Who’s The Queen” question, according to Stable Diffusion. Which one would you pick?