Manchester has spawned its own fair share of iconic music groups, but few have enjoyed the sort of long-running cult favourite status that The Smiths have. Indeed, The Smiths - who formed in 1982 and were fronted by lead singer Morrissey - not only hailed from this large city, but they frequently alluded to it in many of their most popular songs. Fans of The Smiths can't roam around the city without running across places that Morrissey mentions in many of the group's songs. Without question, The Smiths and Manchester are indelibly linked; if you're a fan of the group, a holiday in Manchester is a wonderful way to pay tribute.
The Smiths: The Beginning
After being formed in 1982, The Smiths released their first proper album, the eponymous The Smiths, in February 1984. Manchester took centre stage in a couple of different tracks from the album. In "Still Ill," for instance, Morrissey mentions "The Iron Bridge," a place that can be found on Kings Road in Manchester. The song "Suffer Little Children" was about the infamous Moors Murders that happened in the city between 1963 and 1965. Finally, in "Miserable Lie," mention is made of Whalley Range, a section of Manchester. Indeed, The Smiths was coloured with many references to Manchester's history and its landmarks.
Mid-To-Late Career
Although The Smiths were never a huge sensation in their day, they released a steady stream of relatively popular music during their career. The 1985 record Meat Is Murder carried a more political message, but the 1986 album The Queen Is Dead took Manchester into the spotlight once more. On that record, the song "Cemetry Gates" mentions Southern Cemetery, a well-known Manchester burial ground. In "Vicar In A Tutu," lyrics mentioning Manchester's Holy Name Church - which is on Wilmslow Road in the city - also bring Manchester into focus once more. The rapid-fire nature of The Smiths' record releases were wise, though, since the band would shortly break up.
The End Of The Smiths
While several mentions of Manchester were made in many of The Smiths' first three albums, it was their fourth one - Strangeways, Here We Come - that commemorated the city in the most obvious way. After all, Strangeways Prison is a famous Manchester institution, and the tongue-in-cheek title of what would become The Smiths' final record surely brought smiles to the faces of many Mancunians. As it happened, frontman Morrissey and lead guitarist Johnny Marr were increasingly at odds around the time that Strangeways, Here We Come was released in September of 1987. The band split shortly thereafter; Morrissey, in particular, went on to enjoy a relatively successful solo career.
The Smiths And Manchester: Forever Linked
Despite the rapid rise, descent and demise of The Smiths, the band made an unforgettable mark on the city of Manchester. Today, fans regularly make pilgrimages to the city, staying in Manchester hotels in order to check out the many sites that Morrissey sang about in various Smiths' albums. If you were a fan of The Smiths during their heyday - or if you have recently discovered them - you may want to consider booking hotels Manchester and try exploring the city on your own. Be sure to hit the Salford Lads Club on Coronation Street, where the band posed for the cover of The Queen Is Dead.
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