W
Well
Guest
Not new, I know, but here you go.
1: I WILL SEE YOU IN FAR-OFF PLACES
Beginning with an unexpected Arabian motif and wailing voices over strong guitars and a dynamic rhythm reminiscent of The Smiths’ ‘Barbarism Begins At Home’, the song immediately introduces one of the album’s key themes – love – as Morrissey directly serenades another individual. “Nobody knows what human life is, why we come why we go/So why then do I know I will see you in far-off places?” he asks, before echoing some of ‘You Are The Quarry”s sentiments by singing, “If the USA has done you wrong/I believe I will see you somewhere safe/Looking into the camera pulling faces”.
2: DEAR GOD PLEASE HELP ME
Featuring an arrangement by spaghetti Western king Ennio Morricone, this is the track which most explicitly acknowledges the Roman backdrop against which the album was recorded. Talking directly to the Almighty, over a gentle piano backing, Morrissey sings: “I am walking through Rome with my heart on a string/Dear God please help me/I am so very tired of doing the right thing”. With Moz singing in a new high register, Morricones’ backing sees a church organ slowly lead the song towards its swirling climax. But there is no prayer as Morrissey announces, “There are explosive kegs between my legs” before asking for advice on love, thus introducing ‘Ringleader Of The Tormentors’ second major theme: God.
3: YOU HAVE KILLED ME
Led by strong rock guitars that are reminiscent of Oasis at their poppiest, this is the album’s fitting first single. Boasting a euphoric chorus, Morrissey’s sense of humour comes to the fore. Again, speaking directly to another individual he sings, “You have killed me/Yes I walk around somehow but you have killed me”, adding, “as I live and breathe you have killed me”. Passionate and committed, this track completes the album’s trinity of topics, as it does with death.
4: THE YOUNGEST WAS THE MOST LOVED
Sounding like a solo song from the late-80’s ‘Viva Hate’ era, the band deliver an assured performance while Morrissey tells the tale of a young murderer. “The youngest was the most loved/The youngest was the cherub/A small boy from a small house/But he turned into a killer”, he sings before being joined by a Gorillaz-esque children’s choir for the outro.
5: IN THE FUTURE WHEN ALL’S WELL
Bearing producer Tony Visconti’s fingerprints with a T-Rex-style shuffling beat and chunky guitars, this track sees Morrissey’s band at their best. Boasting a dynamic bassline and a warm pop heart, Morrissey confides to the listener “Every day I play a sad game called ‘In The Future When All’s Well’”, before leaping into a falsetto. A potential future single.
1: I WILL SEE YOU IN FAR-OFF PLACES
Beginning with an unexpected Arabian motif and wailing voices over strong guitars and a dynamic rhythm reminiscent of The Smiths’ ‘Barbarism Begins At Home’, the song immediately introduces one of the album’s key themes – love – as Morrissey directly serenades another individual. “Nobody knows what human life is, why we come why we go/So why then do I know I will see you in far-off places?” he asks, before echoing some of ‘You Are The Quarry”s sentiments by singing, “If the USA has done you wrong/I believe I will see you somewhere safe/Looking into the camera pulling faces”.
2: DEAR GOD PLEASE HELP ME
Featuring an arrangement by spaghetti Western king Ennio Morricone, this is the track which most explicitly acknowledges the Roman backdrop against which the album was recorded. Talking directly to the Almighty, over a gentle piano backing, Morrissey sings: “I am walking through Rome with my heart on a string/Dear God please help me/I am so very tired of doing the right thing”. With Moz singing in a new high register, Morricones’ backing sees a church organ slowly lead the song towards its swirling climax. But there is no prayer as Morrissey announces, “There are explosive kegs between my legs” before asking for advice on love, thus introducing ‘Ringleader Of The Tormentors’ second major theme: God.
3: YOU HAVE KILLED ME
Led by strong rock guitars that are reminiscent of Oasis at their poppiest, this is the album’s fitting first single. Boasting a euphoric chorus, Morrissey’s sense of humour comes to the fore. Again, speaking directly to another individual he sings, “You have killed me/Yes I walk around somehow but you have killed me”, adding, “as I live and breathe you have killed me”. Passionate and committed, this track completes the album’s trinity of topics, as it does with death.
4: THE YOUNGEST WAS THE MOST LOVED
Sounding like a solo song from the late-80’s ‘Viva Hate’ era, the band deliver an assured performance while Morrissey tells the tale of a young murderer. “The youngest was the most loved/The youngest was the cherub/A small boy from a small house/But he turned into a killer”, he sings before being joined by a Gorillaz-esque children’s choir for the outro.
5: IN THE FUTURE WHEN ALL’S WELL
Bearing producer Tony Visconti’s fingerprints with a T-Rex-style shuffling beat and chunky guitars, this track sees Morrissey’s band at their best. Boasting a dynamic bassline and a warm pop heart, Morrissey confides to the listener “Every day I play a sad game called ‘In The Future When All’s Well’”, before leaping into a falsetto. A potential future single.