During our last podcast, Dr. J and Turrtle got into a little heated debate on who was a better artist, The Cure or Morrissey? For once, I have to agree with Turrtle because I am a huge Cure fan. Fans of “New Wave” or “Alternative Rock” have always debated this very question. Although no one can ever be huge fans of both, each fan base can admire the other artist from afar, but will always align themselves with one. So I ask you the question: Who are you a bigger fan of: The Cure or Morrissey?
Back in the 1980’s, Morrissey’s first band, “The Smiths” were a huge band, much like The Cure. A feud began with the two, when Morrissey was interviewed and was asked about all the famous people with the surname Smith. He specifically called out Patti Smith and Robert Smith. He said that he’d like to shoot them! Robert Smith heard this and responded back with “That’s fucking nice, cunt!” So the war began!
The Cure has been around since the very late 70’s and are still making music. They’ve released over 14 albums, countless compilations, live shows and boxsets. What I like about The Cure is their versatility. They can make a pop record, then come back with a very dark, lyrically challenging album. I personally love the way Robert Smith writes. He uses a lot of play on words, and describes things very well. Although The Cure is no longer relevant, in my opinion they are still one of the biggest bands touring. The Cure was the first European band to be named MTV Icon. Shoot, Robert even had a genre created for him! I love his lyrics, especially when it talks about heartbreak: “Never Quite Said What I Wanted to Say To You/Never Quite Managed The Words to Explain To You/Never Quite Knew How To Make Them Believable/Now The Time Has Gone/Another Time Undone/Hopelessly Fighting The Devil Futility/Feeling the Monster Climb Deeper Inside of Me/Feeling Him Gnawing My Heart Away Hungrily/I’ll Never Lose This Pain/Never Dream of You Again”.
Admittedly, I am not a Morrissey fan. Although I like some of his music, I find his Smith’s work to be much better than his solo work. I may be bias, but his voice is very monotone, slow and boring. But I must admit that Morrissey has a cult following and has some classic songs in his arsenal of hits: “Suedehead”, “Everyday is Like Sunday”, “You’re the One For Me”, “Fatty”, “Hairdresser on Fire”, “Will Never Marry”, “The Last of the Famous International Playboys” and much more. When I was in High School, Morrissey was the biggest artist on the planet. He was everywhere and everyone dressed like him. Viva Hate, Bona Drag, Your Arsenal and Vauxhall & I were huge albums that were released. Morrissey has released albums sporadically throughout the years, but he has never regained the huge mainstream success of the early 90’s. Although MTV never made Morrissey an icon, he still has icon status. I know there are legions of Morrissey fans out there, especially Dr. J, but I simply don’t get him. I give him major credit for being an important/influential artist. He brought back a look that had been gone for several decades and brought back rock from Europe that was nearly dead here in the United States in the early 1990’s. Shoot, he was even able to overcome the Nirvana/Pearl Jam splash which says a lot and for that I give him credit and respect.
So both artists have impressive resumes, major hit songs and a cult following. So who is better? Let’s let the music tell the story. Below are 5 songs from each artist. Listen and make your own mind up! Spark some controversy, let’s find out who is supreme amongst our reader/listeners! In the end, this is why we love music: because it is so subjective. I can get caught up in the lyrics, while others can be impressed with the instrumentation. The truth is, they are both great bands so to each is own! Let’s us hear what you have to think! These are not their Top 5 songs, just songs that I think are cool!
The Cure
Untitled, The Figurehead, Treasure, Just Like Heaven, Plainsong
The Smiths/Morrissey
Suedehead, The Boy with The Thorn On His Side, Big Mouth Strikes Again, Girlfirend in a Coma, Hairdresser on Fire
I completely disagree that you cannot be a huge fan of both The Cure and Morrissey/The Smith, as I am a huge fan of both. As for who is better, well that depends on what lyrical style you prefer when it comes to writing about how tormented you are. Robert Smith romanticizes about being love, yet has a gloomy outlook that it will last forever. Morrissey on the other hand has a more global pessimistic outlook, yet he adds a subtlety humor to his lyrics. Two song titles that illustrate this point, “Friday I’m in Love” and “Life is a Pigsty.” Regardless of your preference, these two artists are both great and you would be doing yourself a disservice by creating a false consensus that you can only like one.
I’m a huge fan of The Cure. I enjoy morrissey but I will always go with the original Smith, Robert!
I love The Cure.. to be honest, I don’t think I could name a single thing by Morrissey; album, song, or otherwise. So yeah, Robert Smith! He saved South Park, CO. once too!
… I think the cure has better music overall, and Robert has a way of encorporating raw emotion into his music- his lyrics more or less flow with his music I think. With that said, I think Morrissey is a better writer.. I wouldnt go and buy a book of Robert Smith poetry… not that I would for Morrissey either. Anyways… the point is you got to give Morrissey more of a chance here…. the five songs you picked are good, but they aren’t exactly emotional songs. Hairdresses on fire is particularly silly… try: Well I wonder, I know It’s Over, Now My Heart is Full, There is a Place in Hell…. blah blah. Plainsong is my favorite song of all time from any band, by the way… check out This Twilight Garden (Wish B-Side). You probably already know it… The Cure had better musicians at their peek. Morrissey got stuck with Boz Boorer and Alain Whyte, after chasing away Johnny Marr and Stephen Street.