Tag Archives: The Queen is Dead

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Song of the Day #6,304: ‘The Boy with the Thorn in His Side (Live)’ – The Smiths

Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1986…

#2 – The Queen is Dead – The Smiths

If you’d told me The Smiths’ The Queen is Dead wouldn’t be my #1 album of the year it came out, I would have called you crazy. And yet, that’s where we stand, with one of my all-time favorite albums serving as salutatorian.

I’ve sung this album’s praises so much on the blog that all ten of its tracks have already been featured, requiring me to post a live version today. But I’ll scribble down a few more words of praise.

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Song of the Day #6,233: ‘Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others’ – The Smiths

I like to close out the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame weeks by highlighting artists I love who haven’t (yet) been inducted.

I’ve named The Smiths as the most egregious oversight before and I see no reason not to continue beating that drum today. The English rock band has been eligible since 2009 and nominated twice (in 2015 and 2016) but has yet to make the cut.

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Song of the Day #5,686: ‘Never Had No One Ever’ – The Smiths

Continuing my look at The Smiths through the selections of my two daughters, we arrive at Sophia’s third pick, ‘Never Had No One Ever’ from the band’s 1986 classic The Queen is Dead.

The Queen is Dead is my favorite Smiths album and among my top five or ten albums of all-time. It doesn’t have a weak song, or even a weak moment. However, if there is an underdog on this album it’s today’s Song of the Day, and I’m thrilled that Sophia has chosen it.

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Song of the Day #3,259: ‘Vicar in a Tutu’ – The Smiths vs. Ben Folds

At long last, here we are at the final matchup of Round One of Montauk Madness! Thirty-two battles to determine which 32 artists will advance to fight again.

Both of today’s contenders have shown up already in Round One in other incarnations: The Smiths’ frontman Morrissey showed up as a solo act, while Ben Folds showed up in the form of his band, Ben Folds Five.

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Song of the Day #2,536: ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ – The Smiths

queendeadI wish a fond Happy Birthday to America today, a little prouder of my country after the momentous news of a week ago that same sex couples have the right to marry.

We’ll celebrate the 4th of July with a randomly selected song from across the pond, written and performed by a gay icon: ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ from The Smith’s classic album The Queen is Dead.

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