God Knows It Would Be The First Time

Belle & Sebastian "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side"

Deftones "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want"

Death Cab For Cutie "This Charming Man"

[right click to download, ctrl or option click if yr a mac!]


Everybody seemingly likes the Smiths, whether they like to admit it or not. Back when I lived in Chicago I would occasionally go up to Delilah's a bar downtown. Every time I went in there it was Morrissey/Smiths night. Now I didn't plan it that way, but I would usually end up drinking High Life and shooting pool amongst at least three guys with pompadour haircuts and one guy with a tattered Smiths tour t shirt.

Modern music owes quite a bit to the Smiths. They defined the sound of eighties pop rock and most bands wish they could write at least one set of lyrics like the ones in "Half A Person". Bands have named themselves after song titles and various tribute records have been released to both The Smiths and Morrissey. Belle And Sebastian shouldn't come as a surprise, and really neither should the Deftones. Because although the Deftones music may be more abrasive than the Smiths the feeling is exactly the same. Death Cab For Cute also weighs in here with their version of "This Charming Man", which, much like everything Death Cab For Cutie does is too smug and posturing for its own good.