Morrissey's embarrassment for Simon

[andre005]

But he would still sing it..got to love the irony of this guy...

faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-smiths-song-morrissey-embarrassing/?amp

‘What Difference Does It Make’ is musically interesting but lyrically it is very…Simon Le Bon [of Duran Duran],” Morrissey quipped. “I find the lyrics facile and mildly embarrassing. Otherwise it’s a majestic pop melody by Johnny and, ironically, had the lyrics indeed been penned by Simon Le Bon, I would probably cover it! As it is, I’d feel too ashamed.”

Given that the song itself is about embarrassment and shame, perhaps Morrissey was simply channelling the themes of the lyrics. Or maybe he really did feel like they were only good enough for the synth-pop bands of the time that The Smiths themselves were battling against. It’s not unlike Morrissey to be hypercritical of certain aspects of his own art, especially when it comes to the oft-lauded material that makes up The Smiths’ catalogue. Is ‘What Difference Does It Make’ actually a low-tier Smiths song? Probably not, but give it a thought next time you give it a spin.

[maddog]

Who cares what Morrissey thinks? Also he needs to keep Simon's name out of his emo grandpa mouth.

[flakybandit]

I think these comments by Morrissey were in 1984 and as any duranie will tell you in 1984 the so called indie crowd and serious press hated duran with a passion. I also seem to recall Morrissey reviewing the singles in Smash Hits at around the same time and was quite complimentary about the band.

[Hammerhead]

We discussing 40 year old quotes now.
Wow.
Why not post all the artists or songs JT slated in magazines or interviews.

It was the 80s. pop rivalry was every day practice.

[ansgar]

[andre005]

Mar 1, 2023 10:24:14 GMT -5 ansgar said:

I'll one up you...is he looking at you ansgar? Who is Morrissey looking at?

[andre005]

Mar 1, 2023 10:21:57 GMT -5 Hammerhead said:

We discussing 40 year old quotes now.
Wow.
Why not post all the artists or songs JT slated in magazines or interviews.

It was the 80s. pop rivalry was every day practice.

Farout just posted this the other day..it may be old but still newsworthy and relevant to be discussed Professor Hammerhead..

[aftertherain]

All I know is that in 88 I discovered SLB was capable of making Morrissey sound lame, once Do You Believe In Shame was released

That’s all I need to know

It’s how my ears talked to me

[strangerbehaviour]

Morrissey wipes the floor with SLB, and pretty much anyone else, when it comes to lyrics. Unfortunately he’s also a plonker.

[missing]

to me, it's apples and oranges - each have their own styles, highs, and lows...

I'll say this: I cannot think of ANY singer who has had a go at so many different styles as Simon. I mean think about all the different types of music the band has asked Simon to sing to. Planet Earth is completely different than Skin Trade which is completely different than Ordinary World which is completely different than 911 is a Joke, etc. etc.

To me, Simon's had a go at just about everything - and done a really great job along the way.

I love Morrissey, I do - but (to me) his last 3 or 4 albums all sound the same.