"Certain songs they get so scratched into our souls." -Craig Finn
In this and future posts presented as "Certain Songs," I'll try to express the personal and universal importance of songs that matter to me. I'll try to explain, or at least reflect on the emotional reactions they evoked when I first heard them and when I hear them now.
"Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me"
The first two minutes of this five minute song contains three elements: a simple laboring piano, tortured jeers, and a whale call (seriously). Initially, the brilliance and necessity of this introduction was lost on me, it was nice enough but I wanted to hear something witty and biting from Morrissey (whose lyrics were what finally drew me to The Smiths). The desire to streamline the song was not only mine, as the initial 7" pressing of this single removed the introduction. However, without these two slowly building minutes, Morrissey's initial cry looses the brunt of its impact.
The subject matter of the song is the subject matter of almost all great pop music, longing. Whether longing to be even closer to a girl who already loves you, or longing for any shred of love at all, as this song does, pop music is based on desire. Every facet of the song conveys emotion perfectly. Morrissey's first-take vocals soar over Marr's emulated orchestral sweeps and honest-to-god rock and roll riffs. All the while, ex-punk drummer Mike Joyce hammers out an impossibly emotional and rolling beat. The Smiths final proper single, "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" is the finest possible coda to The Smiths career.
You did not explain what emotions this song evokes from you (like you said you would). Personally I feel that this is one of their more powerful songs. Whenever I hear it I get this surge of longing. I feel the need to be loved, even though I feel loved in my life. It makes you feel like you are all alone and need someone in your life to love you, even if you already have someone.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, I agree with your analysis. =)
ReplyDeletehaha Thank you, and I would agree with you about the emotional evocations, like John Sellers said, The Smiths make you feel justified in being depressed even when you have nothing to be depressed about.
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