So what do you think of this? The new single from Morrissey, Spent the Day in Bed, from his forthcoming album Low in High School. It's difficult to know what to make of Morrissey in 2017. He's inevitably sullied his reputation in the eyes of some lifelong supporters with many of his utterly ludicrous and borderline offensive proclamations of recent years. I'd have to say, I'm among these types. I'm fed up of what he says in most of his public statements. There's a smallness and rankness to so many of them that doesn't reflect well on his legacy. But then you listen to a song like this and it reiterates why he is utterly alone in the world in being able to articulate an essential worldview. Something we need. The picture sleeve has a boy standing with a banner for the song outside Buckingham Palace. For this unshakeable resolve alone the man is still necessary. Then just listen to the lyrics if further proof is required.
It's another of his manifestos. So it's something he's sung on umpteen occasions since Still Ill where perhaps he sung it best. It says that the world is ridiculous and a cruel trick on us all and we should not participate at all in its machinations, instead doing exactly as we please. The lyric's a pearl. Ten out of ten for that. Nevertheless, I'm going to work today. He's an artist. Writing this is his right and responsibility. I'm not. Doing as I should in return for money is mine. But I'm glad he's there and at least this can go round my head all the while today that I'm at my desk.The arrangement is more problematic, sounding oddly synthetic, not something you'd expect of the man and not for the first time since 1986 the thought crosses my mind that he misses Johnny Marr. That being a glib thing to say doesn't prevent it from being true. I'd give that side of things six. So the end score averages out as an eight. Regardless, if this were a Smiths song it would not be out of place. Here are the words:
'Spent the day in bed
Very happy I did, yes
I spent the day in bed
As the workers stay enslaved
I spent the day in bed
I'm not my type, but
I love my bed
And I recommend that you
Stop watching the news!
Because the news contrives to frighten you
To make you feel small and alone
To make you feel that your mind isn't your own
I spent the day in bed
It's a consolation
When all my dreams
Are perfectly legal
In sheets for which I paid
I am now laid
And I recommend to all of my friends that they
Stop watching the news!
Because the news contrives to frighten you
To make you feel small and alone
To make you feel that your mind isn't your own
Oh time, do as I wish
Time, do as I wish
Oh time, do as I wish
Time, do as I wish
Oh time, do as I wish
Time, do as I wish
Oh time, do as I wish
Do as I wish
I spent the day in bed
You can please yourself
But, I spent the day in bed
Pillows like pillars
Life ends in death
So, there's nothing wrong with
Being good to yourself
Be good to yourself for once!
And no bus, no boss, no rain, no train
No bus, no boss, no rain, no train
No bus, no boss, no rain, no train
No emasculation, no castration
No highway, freeway, motorway
No bus, no boss, no rain, no train
No bus, no boss, no rain, no train
No bus, no boss, no rain, no train'
There's something quite beautiful about this in places, especially the "time, do as I wish" part. I have mixed feelings about the arrangement. It's not as bad as some of those Leonard Cohen albums, but I still wonder what Johnny Marr could have done with this song, with an acoustic guitar, or even, God forbid, a mandolin or whatever he used on one of those classic Smiths songs.
ReplyDeleteI think the lyric is just wonderful. Agreed about the arrangement. It's rather throwaway.
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