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The Smiths — The Boy With the Thorn in His Side (Live)
Album: Rank
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 539









Released: 1988
Length: 3:23
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(no lyrics available)
Comments (120)add comment
The best indie emo yodel song ever!
 hbs47 wrote:
  1. Mute. I can never understand the fascination for this tuneless guy.

 

I assume you are talking about Morrisey, the Smiths are much more than Morrisey. It is about the songs, they are really good.
 fredriley wrote:
Yer man Morrissey plays sell-outs in the States and is hero-worshipped by menopausal men both sides of the Pond. It's not a Brit thing.
 
Menopausal men, a disturbingly good description of Morrissey Fanbois.
Never heard the live version before - not my fav but a nice change...
 phlattop wrote:
5 for the live version. The studio one's a 7.
 
Agreed.  Though I'd probably put studio at 8.
 hbs47 wrote:
  1. Mute. I can never understand the fascination for this tuneless guy.

  Yes, you must be a mute if you find The Smiths tuneless


Great song! Marr roks!{#Guitarist}
  1. Mute. I can never understand the fascination for this tuneless guy.

 Curio wrote:
Brilliant song. Nasty live version.
 
Yes, "Rank" is the only Smiths album I own that I don't love. The live versions don't match the studio tracks for some reason. Please play more album cuts and singles from this amazing band!
 larsnamaste wrote:
I just can't understand the Brits fascination with this man.
 
Yer man Morrissey plays sell-outs in the States and is hero-worshipped by menopausal men both sides of the Pond. It's not a Brit thing.

woow  wwwwooooo  woooooo wwooooowwww {#Bananajam}
I remember the first time I heard this song—on the car radio—and almost drove off the road being absolutely floored by it. Minimum 9!
 fevertree wrote:

I will NEVER get tired of listening to the Smiths. sigh. thanks {#Whistle}



 

*Sigh together* {#Notworthy}


I will NEVER get tired of listening to the Smiths. sigh. thanks {#Whistle}



I always liked this guy's voice ...
Like it! {#Music} Smith's fan.

Turgid
Brilliant song. Nasty live version.
This has to be close to the worst sound ever recorded.
5 for the live version. The studio one's a 7.
Just a purely visceral reaction of MEH to Morrissey.  I just can't stand the Smiths.

A lot of yanks just don't get this band. 

         {#Arrowd}
{#Arrow} Your loss {#Arrowl}
         {#Arrowu}

Well, I like this piece.  Also, normally, I can't stand yodelling of any kind, but Morrissey seems to pull it off and make it sound very pretty.

I just can't understand the Brits fascination with this man.
Didn't get it then, don't get it now. blah.{#Yawn}
Normally don't like their studio stuff, but this is not half bad!
 greyfin10 wrote:

"I thought that some of the metaphysical imagery was really particularly effective. Interesting rhythmic devices too, which seemed to counterpoint the... er... humanity of the poet's compassionate soul."

 

All hail Arthur Dent!  {#Smile}
 greyfin10 wrote:
Ok, I'll just cheat.

"I thought that some of the metaphysical imagery was really particularly effective. Interesting rhythmic devices too, which seemed to counterpoint the... er... humanity of the poet's compassionate soul."

Pah! Into the airlock with him!


I saw Morrisey at Coachella 4/17. He was in excellent voice, but he was choking on meat fumes the whole time!

It was hilarious listening to him bitch about "the smell of burning flesh" {#Roflol}
 greyfin10 wrote:
Of course this isn't anything like as horrible as my esteemed colleagues seem to believe.  I clicked on the song while in a bad mood and just couldn't leave the undeserved negativity to go unaddressed.  While I'm not currently in the state of mind to be all positive, I do want to stick my tongue out at all the negativity... thereby ironically trying to fight fire with fire.  That won't work will it?  Hmm.

Ok, I'll just cheat.

"I thought that some of the metaphysical imagery was really particularly effective. Interesting rhythmic devices too, which seemed to counterpoint the... er... humanity of the poet's compassionate soul."

Yeah, that's the ticket.
 
Well defended! You sir are a scholar and a gentleman.
Of course this isn't anything like as horrible as my esteemed colleagues seem to believe.  I clicked on the song while in a bad mood and just couldn't leave the undeserved negativity to go unaddressed.  While I'm not currently in the state of mind to be all positive, I do want to stick my tongue out at all the negativity... thereby ironically trying to fight fire with fire.  That won't work will it?  Hmm.

Ok, I'll just cheat.

"I thought that some of the metaphysical imagery was really particularly effective. Interesting rhythmic devices too, which seemed to counterpoint the... er... humanity of the poet's compassionate soul."

Yeah, that's the ticket.
They even make it boring live, I cannot imagine how boring it would be on the album.
Just once again....BAD
Will they ever believe us?
Bad bad bad bad REALLY bad
file under: "the thread with the thorn in it's side" lighten up, peeps.
The_Enemy wrote:
4 I dig The Smiths but this isn't a great version of this song.
3 I don't dig the Smiths, and the only great versions of their songs are versions done by someone else.
The_Enemy wrote:
4 I dig The Smiths but this isn't a great version of this song.
Same here...I was thinking the same thing....
lophrequa wrote:
of all the songs in the smiths catalog, this?
4 I dig The Smiths but this isn't a great version of this song.
His current band rocks in concert.
lophrequa wrote:
of all the songs in the smiths catalog, this?
Yes. This. 9
If Morissey is so miserable, why doesn't he just off himself and put himself out of OUR misery.
"Rank" says it all
Why did I give this a 2 ? WTF was I thinking? I must have been in a really good mood that day.
Barf-o-rama!!
of all the songs in the smiths catalog, this?
EssexTex wrote:
You're right! in the early days they did in fact record in a tin can..as the money started to "flow" in they moved up to an oak beer barrel...that's progress!
lmao...that's great
horstman wrote:
Very tinny No bass, all treble. Sounds like he's singing inside an aluminum can. Terrible recording. But still a great song.
You're right! in the early days they did in fact record in a tin can..as the money started to "flow" in they moved up to an oak beer barrel...that's progress!
Very tinny No bass, all treble. Sounds like he's singing inside an aluminum can. Terrible recording. But still a great song.
More SMITHS on RP!
d00kie wrote:
ANyone have any info on the album art?
generally Morrissey liked to create "stills" from British films of the sixties for his albulm art. Don't know what this one represents
d00kie wrote:
ANyone have any info on the album art?
The sleeve for Rank, once again designed by Morrissey, stars actress Alexandra Bastedo. The album's sleeve, a gatefold, featured dozens of Smiths fans ripping apart Morrissey's shirt, just tossed from the stage.
Anybody ever hear "Jack the Ripper"? That's my favorite.
I wonder if he wears an Arab strap too.
A bit Kermitesqe, but otherwise not bad.
Minging!
ANyone have any info on the album art?
... 'Rank' ... fitting.
Quite possibly my favorite Smiths' recording.
yclept wrote:
a pain in the ear
a pain in the ear
meydele wrote:
Guessing you're not a fan of the Sistine Chapel either, then.
HAHA.
DD closemindedmoron wrote:
Isnt this guy a fruity tuity? While that about does it for me........it gets a 1.
Guessing you're not a fan of the Sistine Chapel either, then.
in His S... horts...?
DD closemindedmoron wrote:
Isnt this guy a fruity tuity? While that about does it for me........it gets a 1.
actually he is abstinate you moron....
Morissey is definitely an acquired taste... Have never heard this live - not bad at all.
RichardPrins wrote:
(not as good as the studio version, but still The Smiths!)
She looks good, He sounds bad!
WHAT A GREAT LYRICIST!
Hey man! It's been a while (I need to return your space heaters!). I actually added Singles to my YourMusic queue, so I should get it in the coming months. window wrote:
Get "Singles", and you'll be hooked. I'll lend it to you if you like.
window wrote:
Get "Singles", and you'll be hooked. I'll lend it to you if you like.
Hatful of Hollow is a gem.
ploafmaster wrote:
Any recommendations for a good first Smiths album? I love this song, I love "How Soon is Now" and several others, but I don't know where to start.
Get "Singles", and you'll be hooked. I'll lend it to you if you like.
h2o wrote:
How do you enjoy RP at all if that is really how you think?
Get some humor you geek.
closemindedmoron wrote:
Oh He probably is swallowing something, and most likely it isn't spit if you know what I mean..............
How do you enjoy RP at all if that is really how you think?
Morissey, bleh
Classic old school tune
Mozzer, good luck at Eurovision! Well, maybe...
Awesome, thanks for the advice! Pips914 wrote:
Well, there is NO SUCH THING as a bad Smith's album. So to start, I would suggest going with "Louder Than Bombs." It is a good sampling of their more commercial songs and at 20+ tracks, you will get a great feel for the Smith's body of work. Going further, the deeper you dive the better it gets, so happy hunting!
Pips914 wrote:
Well, there is NO SUCH THING as a bad Smith's album. So to start, I would suggest going with "Louder Than Bombs." It is a good sampling of their more commercial songs and at 20+ tracks, you will get a great feel for the Smith's body of work. Going further, the deeper you dive the better it gets, so happy hunting!
Excellent choice of album. "The Queen is Dead" and "Meat is Murder" are also excellent albums -- but go for "bombs" first.
ploafmaster wrote:
Any recommendations for a good first Smiths album? I love this song, I love "How Soon is Now" and several others, but I don't know where to start.
Well, there is NO SUCH THING as a bad Smith's album. So to start, I would suggest going with "Louder Than Bombs." It is a good sampling of their more commercial songs and at 20+ tracks, you will get a great feel for the Smith's body of work. Going further, the deeper you dive the better it gets, so happy hunting!
closemindedmoron wrote:
Oh He probably is swallowing something, and most likely it isn't spit if you know what I mean..............
Appropriate handle moron
who wrote this song? the first version i heard was on a j mascis acoustic album... TOTALLY different sound.
Is he whining or trying to sing? I know people love Morrisey's singing...but it just sounds like a whiney baby to me....
The more I hear this guy's voice the more I want to tear off my ears. Is he off key or what? Sounds like he's swallowing spit at as he "vocalizes."
closemindedmoron wrote:
Isnt this guy a fruity tuity? While that about does it for me........it gets a 1.
Biggoted loser!!!!! This was an amazing band! 9!
dekker42 wrote:
nooooooo Smiths.... ack oh well I gotta do the dishes sometime.
You wash... I'll dry!
Any recommendations for a good first Smiths album? I love this song, I love "How Soon is Now" and several others, but I don't know where to start.
Fatty your are not the one for me but this is.
nooooooo Smiths.... ack oh well I gotta do the dishes sometime.
a little fresher and bouncier than the studio version... despite the perpetually morose lyrics.... kind of nice! in a drizzly grey English way...
optimusprime10 wrote:
never received the recognition, or never earned the popularity? it's not like we couldn't buy the albums!
LOL! No.. its that you were too damn busy buying domestic crap ...just teasin'
RoyceEdwards wrote:
Steven Patrick Morrissey never received the recognition that he deserves in the United States. You won't hear The Smiths played on most local stations. It's great to be living (virtually) in Paradise.
never received the recognition, or never earned the popularity? it's not like we couldn't buy the albums!
Yeah, either you love them or hate them. No middle ground with this band. I personally love them to death.
moomatz wrote:
This paved the Morrisey solo stuf for the next 15 years....
hahahahahahaha
I like morrissey's voice and melancholy!
It certainly is "rank".
I wish everyday was Sunday.
I've never been a fan of The Smiths.. they are just a little too.. "woe is me" for my liking.
I really don't like the lead guitar's tone in this. Personally, I'd prefer it replaced by the original, a solid 8.
not my favorite smiths tune (or even close to it)....but i'd give it a 6.6
Jamming along to The Smiths in the wee hours of the morning!
RP + the Smiths (live) = listening heaven.
karlaanne wrote:
this just made my morning :)
....worse
this just made my morning :)
The studio version gets a higher rating
algrif wrote:
I was just about to add a comment about how boring Choctaw Bingo is. Then THIS came on Aaaaaghhhhh Make it stop. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease
That reminds me. Has anyone seen my copy of St. Mary in the Woods?
I was just about to add a comment about how boring Choctaw Bingo is. Then THIS came on Aaaaaghhhhh Make it stop. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease
...gotta love the Smiths...
8)
rah wrote:
this doesn't sound the way i remember it... is this (or is there) an alternate version?
Apparently, this is a live version; you may be more familiar with the studio version, which is a little faster.
This paved the Morrisey solo stuf for the next 15 years....
this doesn't sound the way i remember it... is this (or is there) an alternate version?
I always loved the guitar sound Johnny Marr got on this live track from Rank. Very powerful & Incredible!!!! (btw - my upload)
(not as good as the studio version, but still The Smiths!)
Steven Patrick Morrissey never received the recognition that he deserves in the United States. You won't hear The Smiths played on most local stations. It's great to be living (virtually) in Paradise.
So glad to have another song by The Smiths added to the RPlaylist.