Still Ill

"Still Ill" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths. It was written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. It was featured on the debut album, The Smiths, in February 1984. Another version of the song was included on the compilation album Hatful of Hollow in November 1984.

"Still Ill"
Song by The Smiths
from the album The Smiths
Released20 February 1984
Recorded1983
Genre
Length3:23 (album version)
3:32 (Peel session)
LabelRough Trade
Songwriter(s)Morrissey, Johnny Marr
Producer(s)John Porter, The Smiths

Overview

"Still Ill" has been described both as Morrissey's "deeply personal realization that his old dreams and freedoms were dead", and also as a reflection on his sexual orientation, in the Thatcher era.[1][2] In 2018 The Independent described it as "infused with a bitterness at the country’s political failings". It is a moody and poignant song which worries that life will never again be simple and carefree.[3][2] The lyrics of the song reference a nostalgia for the past ("We cannot cling to old the dreams anymore"),[4] Morrissey's dislike for working at regular jobs,[5][6] and his feelings about someone he had kissed "in the old days" but feels differently towards when kissing them at present.[6] It also ponders whether the body rules the mind, or vice versa.[1] Writing in Paste, Tyler Kane notes that the song "can sound hopeful, morose and back again all within a few measures".[7]

Morrissey borrowed the line "Under the iron bridge we kissed, and although I ended up with sore lips ..." from Viv Nicholson's autobiography.[8]

Johnny Marr's composition of the song, and his skillful playing of the difficult mood transitions in it, have been frequently praised.[9][7] The recordings are characterized by particularly intricate bass guitar playing by The Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke, as Marr mentions in his autobiography.

Reception

"Still Ill" has been noted as "One of the best and most loved Smiths songs", and is still a staple in both Morrissey and Johnny Marr's concert set lists.[6][10][11][12][13]

Encyclopædia Britannica notes that "songs such as 'Still Ill' sealed [Morrissey's] role as spokesman for disaffected youth".[14]

On Consequence of Sound, T.J. Kliebhan writes that "Morrissey’s brilliant use of imagery on 'Still Ill' is curtailed by his own lovely moans and empathetic malaise. The version of this song that appears on the Hatful of Hollow compilation features a nice harmonica that sounds wildly inappropriate for a Smiths song and yet feels strangely at home in this instance."[15]

Influence

A 2007 documentary about The Smiths is titled The Smiths: Still Ill.[16] The title of the 2017 unauthorised biographical drama about Morrissey, England Is Mine, comes from the opening line of this song, "I decree today that life is simply taking and not giving. / England is mine and it owes me a living."[17][18][19][20] In 2017 Christopher Federico of The Washington Post titled his short opinion piece about the Obamacare replacement "The Smiths, ‘Still Ill’: The Week In One Song".[21]

References
  1. Luerssen, John D. (August 2015). The Smiths FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Most Important British Band of the 1980s. ISBN 978-1-4950-4596-7.
  2. "'The Smiths' at 30: Classic Track-By-Track Review". Billboard.
  3. Febre, Aaron. "Ten Great Songs from The Smiths".
  4. McKinney, D. (April 2015). Morrissey FAQ: All That's Left to Know About This Charming Man. ISBN 978-1-4950-2893-9.
  5. McKinney, D. (April 2015). Morrissey FAQ: All That's Left to Know About This Charming Man. ISBN 978-1-4950-2893-9.
  6. McKinney, D. (April 2015). Morrissey FAQ: All That's Left to Know About This Charming Man. ISBN 978-1-4950-2893-9.
  7. "10 Great Johnny Marr Guitar Moments". pastemagazine.com. February 26, 2013.
  8. "This charming woman: why Morrissey and the Smiths loved Viv Nicholson | Music | The Guardian".
  9. Flanagan, Emma (February 21, 2014). "Poll: What is your favourite Smiths song of all time?". men.
  10. "Morrissey, at Radio City Music Hall".
  11. "Review: Morrissey in Wellington". Stuff.
  12. Roue, Lucy (January 30, 2015). "The Smiths, Oasis and Happy Mondays – the man helping you follow in the footsteps of your favourite Manchester bands". men.
  13. Staff Reporter (October 15, 2014). "Johnny Marr Live Review".
  14. "the Smiths | Members, Songs, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica.
  15. "Ranking: Every Song by The Smiths from Worst to Best". February 21, 2019.
  16. "The Smiths: Still Ill (2006)" – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
  17. "Morrissey biopic to close film festival". 11 May 2017 – via www.bbc.com.
  18. "England Is Mine". www.edfilmfest.org.uk.
  19. Mumford, Gwilym; Pulver, Andrew; Bradshaw, Peter (15 June 2017). "Summer 2017's best movies: from Scarlett Johansson's hen night to Morrissey's teen years" – via www.theguardian.com.
  20. "Top 10 best opening lines of songs".
  21. "Perspective | The Smiths, 'Still Ill': The Week In One Song". Washington Post.
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