I wanted to write about one of my favorite songs by The Smiths. I’ve always had a very visceral reaction to this song it just taps into something emotionally raw in me.
“Bigmouth Strikes Again” was written and recorded in 1985 by the British indie-rock group The Smiths. Written by Morrissey and composed by Johnny Marr.
Tempo
The first thing that really draws me into the song is the opening riff, I love how the tempo just takes off at 135 and stays the same throughout the song.
Lyrics
I really enjoy the lyrical content when juxtaposed to the upbeat tempo. A lot of people would assume a song so upbeat wouldn’t have singer Morrissey venting his frustrations against the music industry and the press, but here it is. Morrissey at one comparing himself at one point to famed martyr Joan of Arc. I personally appreciate how tongue in cheek Morrissey can be at times.
Texture
When Morrissey sings “Now I know how how Joan of Arc felt” there is a pitched up version of his voice layered underneath the main vocal and it just adds something vocally striking to the song that just makes it so engaging for me.
Sources
Taysom, Joe. “The Story behind the Song: ‘bigmouth Strikes Again’ as the Smiths Jab at the Music Business.” Far Out Magazine, 22 May 2020, faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-smiths-morrissey-marr-bigmouth-strikes-again-story-behind-the-song/?amp
Tearle, Oliver. “The Curious Meaning of ‘bigmouth Strikes Again’ by the Smiths.” Interesting Literature, Interesting Literature, 30 Apr. 2023, interestingliterature.com/2023/07/the-smiths-bigmouth-strikes-again-meaning/amp/
Explorations in Music 
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