Manchester University Press
4 'Heaven knows we'll soon be dust'
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the Catholic and broader religious dimensions of The Smiths. In doing so, the chapter discusses locate the significance of their Catholicism and their fans' obvious devotion in the context of recent debates concerning the apparent nexus between popular music and religion. Interviews with Morrissey, Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke all demonstrate the significance of The Smiths' Catholic backgrounds in terms of their formative influences and self-identities. In the Catholic tradition, death and the prospect of dying are ever present. The emphasis on the Gothic is in evidence in 'Cemetry Gates', where the song's characters discuss the issue of plagiarism amongst the headstones. Johnny Marr stated that The Smiths just wanted to 'convert everyone to our way of thinking' and for Morrissey and himself pop music was 'almost a spiritual thing'. It was Morrissey who first described Smiths fans as being 'apostles'.
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the Catholic and broader religious dimensions of The Smiths. In doing so, the chapter discusses locate the significance of their Catholicism and their fans' obvious devotion in the context of recent debates concerning the apparent nexus between popular music and religion. Interviews with Morrissey, Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke all demonstrate the significance of The Smiths' Catholic backgrounds in terms of their formative influences and self-identities. In the Catholic tradition, death and the prospect of dying are ever present. The emphasis on the Gothic is in evidence in 'Cemetry Gates', where the song's characters discuss the issue of plagiarism amongst the headstones. Johnny Marr stated that The Smiths just wanted to 'convert everyone to our way of thinking' and for Morrissey and himself pop music was 'almost a spiritual thing'. It was Morrissey who first described Smiths fans as being 'apostles'.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Notes on contributors vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- 1 'Why pamper life's complexities?' 1
- 2 'Has the world changed or have I changed?' 22
- 3 'Irish blood, English heart' 43
- 4 'Heaven knows we'll soon be dust' 65
- 5 'Sing me to sleep' 81
- 6 'A boy in the bush' 104
- 7 'This way and that way' 121
- 8 'I don't owe you anything' 135
- 9 'A double bed and a stalwart lover for sure' 156
- 10 Last night we dreamt that somebody loved us 179
- 11 'When we're in your scholarly room' 195
- 12 'So much to answer for' 205
- 13 'Take me back to dear old Blighty' 225
- 14 Guantánamo, here we come 241
- Index 256
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Notes on contributors vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- 1 'Why pamper life's complexities?' 1
- 2 'Has the world changed or have I changed?' 22
- 3 'Irish blood, English heart' 43
- 4 'Heaven knows we'll soon be dust' 65
- 5 'Sing me to sleep' 81
- 6 'A boy in the bush' 104
- 7 'This way and that way' 121
- 8 'I don't owe you anything' 135
- 9 'A double bed and a stalwart lover for sure' 156
- 10 Last night we dreamt that somebody loved us 179
- 11 'When we're in your scholarly room' 195
- 12 'So much to answer for' 205
- 13 'Take me back to dear old Blighty' 225
- 14 Guantánamo, here we come 241
- Index 256
