And now we come to the Smiths’ last album, which every member thinks is their best. That said, like most Smiths fans, I prefer The Queen Is Dead, but this one certainly has its moments.
As far as my favorite song on the album, it really came down to “A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours” and “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me”. And it was certainly a tough choice, but I went with the latter.
Went with an unheralded song that I doubt anyone else will pick: “Death of a Disco Dancer”. Can’t even say why I like this one so much. “Last Night I Dreamt” 's intro puts me off (seemes entirely unnecessary), but once the “real” song kicks in, it’s great.
I think this whole album is a frustrating collection of ‘could have been greats’ - take Rush and a Push, for instance, which could have been, should have been, magnificent and instead is just … almost. Last Night I Dreamt is closest to its potential I think, but instead sounds a bit jaded, if it’s possible to be great and jaded at the same time! I voted for Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard this One Before as I think it’s closest to what it would have been if it had been recorded during the heyday.
This used to be my favorite Smiths album, but now that I’m older, I’d rank it fourth. There are a couple of fun, but decidedly minor works: Unhappy Birthday, Death at One’s Elbow, I Won’t Share You.
For me, it was between Rush and a Push and Stop Me.
Many people don’t like it when Morrissey does Smiths songs at his solo concerts, but he had a rousing rendition of Death of a Disco Dancer on his last tour. The drums at the end went on for about 5 minutes. I quite liked it.
Oh, and this album contains the only Smiths song ever recorded (and I include b-sides) that I don’t like: Girlfriend in a Coma. I just don’t like it. Plodding, in my opinion.
There was a time when I couldn’t go to sleep without listening to this album. That was a 1000 years ago when I was 14. Occasionally, I’ll put it on if I’m having trouble sleeping. I’m usually snoring before Girlfriend in a Coma.
Girlfriend in a Coma is the default, but I always liked Stop Me.