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A forum for Morrissey and The Smiths.
Volume Two, Number 8

To post to Strangeways, please send mail to Kevin at
[email protected].

Well, welcome to the new year.  My apologies for not getting this
issue out any earlier.  There hasn't been a lot of activity lately,
but hopefully this will spark some.

I'm making preparations to move Strangeways to another site.  I
should be graduating in the spring (and will therefore lose access
to the internet world).  If anyone is interested in moderating
Strangeways, please let me know and we'll work on something.

On another note, if you have written to Bob about the KROQ Morrissey
concert, don't blame him...I haven't sent the tape out to him yet.  I
will get the tape to him by the end of this week at the very latest
and he can start copying it for everyone.  Here's a track listing of
the concert...it's about 75 minutes, I think.

Last of the Famous International Playboys
Sister, I'm A Poet
November Spawned A Monster
Pregnant for the Last Time
Alsatian Cousin
Interesting Drug
Mute Witness
My Love Life
Piccadilly Palare
Driving Your Girlfriend Home
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Sing Your Life
The Loop
Suedehead
I've Changed My Plea To Guilty
Cosmic Dancer (fragment)
Disappointed
King Leer
Our Frank
Angel Angel Down We Go Together
Asian Rut

It was recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon on 8 October 1991.  It's a very
good concert (better than the U.S. ones that were pretty short).  Anyway,
that will be out very soon now.

=K=

<----->

From: Tim Meehan <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 91 02:08:44 EST
Subject: Reel Around The Fountain lyrics controversy

This discussion got started, for some strange reason, on Bong, the
Depeche Mode mailing list.  I welcome any input into this, as the next
best thing to asking SPM himself for lyric interpretation...

Quoted from [email protected]:

>I have not heard this......could you please explain?

>I think that people don't understand that Morrissey likes to write
>from other people's points of view (i.e. females, children, etc.)
>hence, Morrissey is called a fag, a pedophile, a child abuser, whatever.
>His songs are so much more deeper. Just read the lyrics to November
>Spawned a Monster...

I quote from Mick Middles' book, "The Smiths - The Complete Story"
(C) 1985, 1988 Omnibus Press

"The Manchester Evening News reported alleged complaints that "Reel
Around The Fountain" (by the 'controversial' group, The Smiths)
contained lyrics relating to child molesting.  The national dailies
loved this and immediately jumped on Morrissey's back in a typical
display of hounding.  I'm not going to dwell to deeply on this as I
personally (and I know many people who feel the same way) can't find one
trace of child molestation or anything else distasteful within those
grooves."

He goes on to say that this incident only heightened awareness for the
group.  Now, while I agree with him on the point that there is no
reference to molestation, I can see where some people may think that it
is inferred.

It's time the tale were told  \    This may be taken as a reference to
Of how you took a child        >   'making a child old' by exposing him
And you made him old          /    to the adult world of sex.


Fifteen minutes with you      \    Taking advantage of an opportunity
Well, I wouldn't say no       /    to, well, you know...

But take me to the haven of your bed  \  Possibly in reference to
Was something that you never said     /  past rejection...

Meet me at the fountain       \     Maybe like saying "don't worry,
Shove me on the patio          >    it won't hurt, I'll be gentle...
I'll take it slowly           /


Maybe it's my sick mind, but I see where people could read into those
lyrics.  Personally, I interpret it as Morrissey trying to come on to
his girlfriend, that is, if he ever had one...  :)

I've taken the liberty of posting this to the Strangeways Mailing list
as well.  I don't really see Bong as the right medium for talking about
Smiths stuff.

(The address is [email protected])

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<----->

From: Edward Baichtal <[email protected]>
Subject: Morrissey's New Book!
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 91 22:47:41 PST

Well, in October 1992, a new book on Morrissey should come out.  It will
include pictures by Linder covering his 1991 tour through the world.  It
will also contain parts written by someone who's name I forgot who Morrissey
chose to also write a biography of him.

<----->

Date: Tue, 14 Jan 92 00:20:54 -0500
From: Pi <[email protected]>
Subject: STRANGEWAYS


So, where is everyone - in a mysticsal time zone?  I just heard now that the
rumor that the Mozzer was going to buy a house in Athens, GA is false.  I guess
Michael reminded him of Steven Street or something.

Pi