Question of the Day

Who is your favorite band/musical artist/composer and which one song would you recommend to someone who'd never heard their work before?

Hi, my name is Melissa, and I'm a broken record.

Of course everyone who's been reading this blog for three seconds knows that my favorite band is The Smiths, and I have recommended them to many people over the years. Generally, before I recommend the single song on which someone will begin hir Smiths journey, I already have a feel for the type of music zie likes, and I choose the introductory track on that basis.

But, failing the ability to customize a choice, I would probably go with The Queen Is Dead, which combines fine Mozza vocals, archetypically cheeky and subversive lyrics, one of Marr's finest guitar pieces, and a classic performance by the always-underrated rhythm section of Rourke and Joyce to make for a timeless and eminently likable track.

In a more impertinent mood: Death of a Disco Dancer.

(Making a single recommendation for Mozza's solo career would be nigh impossible for me. I'd probably pluck something obscure right out of the thin air, like Let the Right One In.)