The Smiths - (HQ) This Night Has Opened My Eyes / Miserable Lie - May 4, 1984 (5 of 10)

The Smiths
Markthalle, Hamburg, Germany
May 4, 1984

This is one of the best complete live shows of the Smiths ever captured on film or video. Together just five years, they produced only four studio LPs (and assorted collections) that mark them as one of a handful of the most influential and important bands of the alternative-rock, post-punk era. Had they not broken up before the release of their fourth and final studio LP, they would surely be mentioned in the same breath as R.E.M. and U2.

Note Morrissey's attire, typical for 1984:

- Large blouse held together by one button
- NHS specs
- Flowers in the back pocket
- Attitude to burn

Also note the dazzlingly original and subtle guitar work of Johnny Marr.

Recorded in Hamburg, Germany, less than three months after their debut album, THE SMITHS, was released (20 Feb 1984).

Personnel:

Morrissey (Steven) - v
Johnny Marr - g
Andy Rourke - b
Mike Joyce - dr

Setlist:

01. Hand In Glove
02. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
03 Girl Afraid
04 This Charming Man I
05 Pretty Girls Make Graves
06 Still Ill
07 Crack On The Head I
08 This Night Has Opened My Eyes
09 Miserable Lie
10 You've Got Everything Now
11 Handsome Devil
12 What Difference Does It Make

Encore 1:
13 These Things Take Time
14 This Charming Man II

Encore 2:
15 Hand In Glove II

Encore 3:
16 Crack On The Head II
(Crack On The Head = Barbarism Begins At Home)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Smiths
• 84
• 1984
• concert
• live
• show
• germany
• Morrissey
• Johnny
• Marr
• Andy
• Rourke
• Mike
• Joyce
• This
• Night
• Has
• Opened
• My
• Eyes
• Miserable
• Lie

[lukin565]

"Had they not broken up before the release of their fourth and final studio LP, they would surely be mentioned in the same breath as R.E.M. and U2."

seriously? i think there's no doubt these days, that the Smiths were incomparably more important than REM or U2. Ever heard of a band saying they were influenced by U2???

[kenjames64]

@lukin565 I didn't say the Smiths were less important, which is a highly subjective measure anyway. I said they broke up before reaching the epic popularity of either U2 or R.E.M. But since you said it, I agree: They were hugely influential, along with a hell of a lot of others, like the Replacements, Husker Du, Meat Puppets, Minutemen, the Pixies, Echo & the Bunnymen, Gang of Four, Nick Cave, Squeeze, ... and so on.

[SimMaster]

cool but the video is too quiet

[kenjames64]

I know. Quiet. I have a capture from the original German broadcast, which I posted unaltered. Turn up your speakers to 11.

[83thedude]

best song ever

[tracehazarrrrd]

I know everyone has probably said this already, but the smiths should reunite, just for the hell of it.

I mean, morrisey can't be that bad, can he?

can he?

[1911Ryguy]

@kenjames64 yeah turning the volume up this sounds great

[BriSa26437]

morrissey my love

[slightreturn104]

Morrisey was a great performer. And an amazing cynic. Which is why I can identify so much. Cheers!

[JwahAmore31]

@TheExploitedable Cheers, mate! I could not have stated this better, myself! I was in the mood for 'my boys,' so I picked this tune, first! I needed to hear J.M. go OFF! This is the first LIVE version of this track I've ever heard, and it makes me miss them even more!!! You?

Love,

- J

[doneckreddahl]

Imagine if someone could write a lyric like "In a river the colour of lead immersed a baby's head" in 2011. Anyone come here because of Shelagh Delaney passing? You don't know misery until you've read 'a taste of honey'

[TheExploitedable]

It is hard to say anything about this song . It is great though it is haunting, It is not a party anthem like todays bullshit Billboard top 10. It is real.

[Gerarock1]

A great song for ever and all the ages.