There is so much I love about Morrissey – here are just a few things:
Lead singer of the alternative/rock band the Smiths.
One of my favourite all-time rock tracks is by the Smiths, called: “How Soon Is Now”.
First solo album is entitled ‘Viva Hate’ (had a number 1 debut on the UK charts).
Describes himself as an animal protectionist.
Is a vegetarian (since the age of 11).
Animal activist.
Modern rock/alternative music ICON.
2004 – announced death of Ronald and then said he would have preferred if then President, George W. Bush, had died instead.
December 2010 – Publicly supported Johnny Marr, who had stated that he forbade British Prime Minister, David Cameron, from liking the Smiths. Morrissey added criticism of Cameron from his hobby of stag hunting.
A person that acts positively on his convictions.
“Suedehead”, “Everyday Is Like Sunday”, “The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get”, “Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself”, “Hairdresser On Fire”, “This Charming Man”, “Bigmouth Strikes Again”, “We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful”, “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want”, “Sing Your Life”, “You’re The One For Me, Fatty”, “Tomorrow”, “Now My Heart Is Full”, “Hold On To Your Friends”, “The Boy With The Thorn In His Side”, “Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others”, “Girlfriend In A Coma” – some of the greatest music in my lifetime.
Quoted this about his sexuality – “Unfortunately, I am not homosexual. In technical fact, I am humasexual. I am attracted to humans. But, of course … not many”.
Depeche Mode has been creating music for over 30 years. They are – one of a handful – of groups who gave a voice to electronic/alternative music. They have given us countless and the timeless 80’s classics – Just Can’t Get Enough, Leave in Silence, Everything Counts, Master and Servant, Love In Itself, People Are People, Blasphemous Rumours, Shake The Disease, Stripped, But Not Tonight, New Dress, Fly on the Windscreen, Strangelove, Behind the Wheel, Never Let Me Down Again and Personal Jesus. In the 90’s, they continued with some of their most successful albums and released many pivotal singles for a new generation of fans, like; Enjoy The Silence, Policy of Truth, World In My Eyes, I Feel You, Walking In My Shoes, Condemnation, In Your Room, Barrel of a Gun, It’s No Good, Home, Useless and Only When I Lose Myself. They began the 2000’s with the cool electronic sounds of Dream On, I Feel Loved, Freelove and Goodnight Lovers. A re-release and reinterpretation of Enjoy the Silence was released in 2004 which began another string of singles such as Precious, A Pain That I’m Used To, Suffer Well, John The Revelator, Martyr, Wrong, Peace, Perfect and Hole to Feed/Fragile Tension. In 2011 – they began with a reinterpretation of their previous single, Personal Jesus.
What is next for this legendary electronic/alternative supergroup? They plan to start a world tour in Tel Aviv in the first quarter of 2013 and have signed on with Columbia Records with promise of an album slated for release in March of 2013 (a perfect birthday gift).
It is very rare for groups to consistently release relevant material – especially in a world that had little respect for new wave/electronic groups. Those “legitimate” rock groups and their groupies were constantly criticizing such bands indicating that they had no talent, never played instruments and that they would never last. Looking back – many of those criticizing groups are nowhere to be seen while Depeche Mode continues to be innovative, fresh and relevant in a world that is so addicted to ‘fast food’ music. I look forward to hearing new music from this great band and I am grateful that they have consistently maintained a sound that is way ahead of the game and far superior then the music on pop radio.
The song that I chose from Depeche Mode as ‘song of the week’ comes from their # 1 album, Violator. The song was never released as a single and is my personal favourite on this album. Enjoy the greatness that is ‘Waiting For The Night’. I have added the audio first and then a live version from their 2009 Barcelona show.
WAITING FOR THE NIGHT
I’m waiting for the night to fall
I know that it will save us all
When everything’s dark
Keeps us from the stark reality
I’m waiting for the night to fall
When everything is bearable
And there in the still
All that you feel
Is tranquility
There is a star in the sky
Guiding my way with its light
And in the glow of the moon
Know my deliverance will come soon
There is a sound in the calm
Someone is coming to harm
I press my hands to my ears
It’s easier here just to forget fear
And when I squinted
The world seemed rose-tinted
And angels appeared to descend
To my surprise
With half-closed eyes
Things looked even better
Than when they were opened
Been waiting for the night to fall
Now everything is bearable
And here in the still
All that you hear
Is tranquility
For more Depeche Mode information, discography, live dates etc….please visit the Depeche Mode website at: http://countdown.depechemode.com
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
Today’s song of the week is by DEPECHE MODE. The music of DEPECHE MODE has always been constant throughout my life. From the first time I heard ‘People are People’ – I was hooked. DEPECHE MODE are pioneers of Electronica Alternative. I have countless favourites songs but the one song that stands out the most for me, would be – ‘Strangelove’ from the album Music For The Masses. Music For The Masses was released in 1987 and includes the hits, Strangelove, Behind The Wheel and Never Let Me Down Again it also includes the amazing songs I Want You Now, Little 15 and Nothing.
Depeche Mode’s music catalogue is extensive from 1981’s Speak and Spell to most recently Sounds of the Universe and compilation album Remixes 2: 81-11 – I look forward to all future Depeche Mode releases with great anticipation and know that I will never be disappointed. In the meantime, enjoy Strangelove – it stands the test of time and is completely relevant today.
STRANGELOVE – Depeche Mode
There’ll be times
When my crimes
Will seem almost unforgivable
I give in to sin
Because you have to make this life livable
But when you think I’ve had enough
From your sea of love
I’ll take more than another riverful
And I’ll make it all worthwhile
I’ll make your heart smile
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That’s how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me
Will you take the pain
I will give to you
Again and again
And will you return it
There’ll be days
When I stray
I may appear to be
Constantly out of reach
I give in to sin
Because I like to practice what I preach
I’m not trying to say
I’ll have it all my way
I’m always willing to learn
When you’ve got something to teach
And I’ll make it all worthwhile
I’ll make your heart smile
Pain will you return it
I’ll say it again – pain
Pain will you return it
I won’t say it again
I give in
Again and again
I give in
Will you give it to be
I give in
I’ll say it again
I give in
I give in
Again and again
I give in
That’s how my love goes
I give in
I’ll say it again
I give in
The videos:
For further Depeche Mode information, discography, tours, cps/dvds/singles etc visit:
I have chosen ‘Fake Plastic Trees’ by Radiohead as my ‘song of the week’ selection this week. This song (and group) was introduced to me by my spouse – which makes it all the better – and this song has since become one of my favourite alternative/rock songs ever! The album – The Bends – is by far one of (if not ) my favourite alternative alternative/rock albums ever!
While I worked at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel over 12 years ago – I had the pleasure of meeting Thom Yorke. I tried very hard not to freak out and simply stated that I thought the album The Bends was one of the best albums of all time. I also asked him for his autograph, which he graciously gave along with some original artwork.
I would suggest you listen to the song first and feel the emotion build up in Thom’s voice – the emotion, the lyrics and the music is art in its greatest form. The Bends – includes some of Radiohead’s greatest songs such as; Just, High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, Street Spirit (Fade Out) and the title track – The Bends. Experience the emotion by listening to this fantastic song, then watch the accompanying video:
FAKE PLASTIC TREES by Radiohead
Her green plastic watering can for
her fake Chinese rubber plant
In the fake plastic earth
What she bought from a rubber man
In a town full of rubber bands
to get rid of itself
It wears her out, it wears her out
It wears her out, it wears her out
She lives with a broken man
A cracked polystyreneman
Who just crumbles and burns
He used to do surgery
For girls in the eighties
But gravity always wins
And it wears him out, it wears him out
It wears him out, it wears him
She Looks like the real thing
She tastes like the real thing
My fake plastic love
But I can’t help the feeling
I could blow through the ceiling
If I just turn and run
And it wears me out, it wears me out
It wears me out, it wears me out
If i could be who you wanted
If i could be who you wanted all the time, all the time
COALITION OF POSITIVE ENERGY 