Monthly Archives: November 2017

It’s impossible to understate how important Johnny Marr’s music has been to me for the past couple of decades. In honour of his 54th birthday today, I thought I would highlight 54 underrated and/or lesser known songs that Johnny’s played on or written.

1. Lost In Sound (Malka Spigel, Everyday is like the first day, 2012)
Israeli musician/artist Malka Spigel is one of my favourite discoveries through Johnny’s myriad of collaborations. Dreamy and delicate with just a hint of melancholy wistfulness, Johnny’s gorgeous guitar complements Malka’s ethereal voice perfectly.

2. Get Me Wrong (Johnny Marr + The Healers, B-side, 2003)
I remain smitten to this day by every note played by Johnny in his Healers days, but this tune stands out to me as both particularly brilliant and criminally overlooked. It’s hypnotic and sensual, conjuring up images of dark, late, hedonistic nights. Best listened to with the lights out.

3. Heisenberg (Chris Spedding, Joyland, 2015)
An acoustic instrumental that conjures up mental images of the “old west”, there’s definitely a bit of a ghost-town feel to this song. One could even imagine this stunning composition standing alongside those of Ennio Morricone in a 1960s spaghetti western…

4. Exit Connection (Johnny Marr, B-side, 2015)
One of Johnny’s best B-sides, in my very humble opinion. It’s raw and spunky, and proof that Johnny’s never lost sight of his post-punk roots. My musical lexicon is sadly far too lacking to be able to adequately describe what I’m hearing around the 0:47 mark, but listen out for it. Pure magic.

5. Home and dry (Pet Shop Boys, Release, 2002)
Oh how this one tugs on the heartstrings… There’s just something in its bittersweetness that recalls many of Johnny’s own prettiest tunes, and so it came as no surprise to me whatsoever to discover that was his guitar I was hearing in it.

Top tip: If you’re a masochist like myself and enjoy listening to this on the plane home after a trip, have some tissues on hand.

6. Imitation of life (Electronic, B-side, 1996)
It’s probably rarely more obvious than in Electronic’s tunes how versatile Johnny’s work is. Great beat and synth lines, nice melody (once it kicks in), and yes, you can dance to it. What’s not to love?

7. Freeheld [Suite] (Johnny Marr & Hans Zimmer, Freeheld OST, 2015)
Though it tends to be eclipsed by their work on Inception, Johnny’s and Hans’ work on the Freeheld soundtrack is just as stunning and worth checking out. This piece in particular is painfully pretty – especially the guitar part starting around the 5½ minute mark – as well as very moving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRsl7_mYzHA

8. Lonely Planet (The The, Dusk, 1993)
Fantastic album track from Johnny’s second period of collaboration with The The. It’s both powerful and empowering, highlighted by Matt Johnson’s poignant lyrics. “If you can’t change the world, change yourself.”

9. The house I grew up in (Tweaker, 2 a.m. Wakeup Call, 2004)
What is Chris Vrenna’s secret? No, seriously – what magical spell must one be capable of casting to get both Johnny Marr AND David Sylvian to co-write songs for your album? My awe of Vrenna’s obvious charisma aside, Johnny’s contribution to the album is a breathtaking electro-ambient gem with a dark and haunting build-up throughout. Mystical, otherworldly, and utterly addictive listening.

10. Run in the dust (7 Worlds Collide, The Sun Came Out, 2009)
One of several brilliant Johnny-penned contributions to the 7 Worlds Collide charity album, there’s a slightly eerie and mysterious feel to this song, accentuated by Johnny’s smooth, breathy vocals. It reminds me of a hot, dry summer – in the best possible way.

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