He is best known for being the founder member, songwriter and guitarist in The Smiths. The band released numerous singles and four studio albums between 1983 and 1987 until the band dissolved.
Since leaving The Smiths in 1987, Marr focused mainly on contributing to the work of established bands. He played session guitar and or wrote music for artists such as The Pretenders, Talking Heads, Billy Bragg and Kirsty Maccoll (among others). He also briefly became a full-time member of The The due to his friendship with singer Matt Johnson.
Most notably, in 1989 he teamed up with New Order's Bernard Sumner to form synthesiser/guitar super group Electronic. Combining at first with Pet Shop Boys vocalist Neil Tennant, the duo released Getting Away With It which peaked at #12 in the UK charts. Electronic soon solidified as just Sumner and Marr and between them they released three albums. Self titled debut, Electronic, Raise the Pressure and Twisted Tenderness were released in 1991, 1996 and 1999 respectively.
In 2000, Johnny formed his own band called the Healers. He quickly enlisted Zak Starkey the drumming son of the Beatles’ Ringo Starr. In 2003 Johnny Marr + the Healers released an album called Boomslang, which featured Johnny writing lyrics and on vocals which was an unfamiliar role for him.
In September 2006 Marr announced his membership of the US band Modest Mouse on his website. His work appeared on their 2007 album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. The following year he joined The Cribs as a full time member, touring, co-writing and recording their 2009 album Ignore the Ignorant. He left the band in 2011 to concentrate on solo work.
In 2013 he finally released his first proper solo effort, The Messenger. This was followed by extensive touring with the setlist including songs from his time in The Smiths and Electronic. He quickly followed up this debut with his second solo set in 2014 with Playland.
In June 2018, He released his third album called Call the Comet with 12 tracks. Call the Comet received generally positive reviews from music critics upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album scored an average rating of 76, based on 13 reviews. Writing for the Associated Press, Mark Kennedy opined that it was "easily his best as a solo artist, deep and rich both musically and lyrically" before concluding, "So feel free to stay in bed, Morrissey. Marr is who we need now."
Boys Get Straight
Johnny Marr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I wasn't really there
I'm a side effect I said
In town disintegration was
Doing me in
Do me in again
Sometimes so good
Can we do it again
Something in our blood
Makes people needy people
Consuming again
Boys
Get straight
Shot down
In flames
Small time
Happenings
Too late
Boys
Get straight
Reactivate
Reload
Sometimes so good
Makes people needy people
Getting used again
Some things in our blood
Makes it so easy for them
Consume consume again
Reactivate
Reload
Boys
Get straight
Wild life
Escapes
High time
Happenings
Too late
Boys
Get straight
In Johnny Marr's song "Boys Get Straight," there is a sense of detachment and disintegration that is taking place within the singer. He feels like he is just going through the motions and that his life is doing him in. He refers to himself as a side effect, which is an interesting notion since side effects are often unintended consequences of drugs or other treatments. This could imply that the singer is feeling like he is being affected by something outside of his control. The repetition of the lyrics "do me in again" emphasizes the cyclical nature of his struggles.
The chorus of the song, "Boys get straight," seems to be urging the listener (and perhaps the singer himself) to straighten up and fly right. The phrase "in flames" implies that there is a sense of urgency to this call to action. The line "reactivate, reload" could be interpreted as a message to the singer to get back in the game and start living his life to the fullest.
The second verse repeats the themes of addiction and neediness that were present in the first verse. The singer seems to recognize that he and others like him are trapped in a cycle of consumption and exploitation. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the need for change and action.
Overall, "Boys Get Straight" is a poignant reflection on the struggles of addiction and disintegration. It urges the listener to take action and to break free from these cycles of self-destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
It was one of those times
I was feeling detached from reality and not fully present in the moment.
When I wasn't really there
At that point in time, I was emotionally absent and not engaged in my surroundings.
I'm a side effect I said
I am a consequence of someone or something's actions, and I expressed this verbally.
In town disintegration was
The urban environment was breaking down and deteriorating.
Doing me in
This was negatively affecting me, causing me harm and damage.
Do me in again
This happened before and is happening again, further harming me.
Sometimes so good
Certain things are enjoyable and pleasurable.
Makes me think of revolution
These enjoyable experiences give me a sense of wanting to change and transform society.
Can we do it again
I want to repeat these enjoyable experiences and the resulting desire for change.
Something in our blood
There is an inherent trait within us that drives us to seek out pleasures.
Makes people needy people
This trait causes people to become dependent on seeking out pleasures repeatedly.
Consuming again
People are once again indulging in these pleasures and becoming dependent on them.
Boys
This song is directed towards males.
Get straight
Males should focus on getting their lives back on track and not becoming too consumed by pleasures and their negative effects.
Shot down
These males have been defeated and are facing difficult challenges.
In flames
Their lives are in turmoil and they are experiencing intense emotional pain and destruction.
Small time
These are insignificant and minor events in their lives.
Happenings
These negative events are taking place.
Too late
It may be too late to reverse the damages and fix the issues they are facing.
Reactivate
They should focus on restarting and initiating new changes in their lives.
Reload
They should replenish themselves and start fresh.
Wild life
These males have been engaging in reckless and impulsive behavior.
Escapes
They are trying to escape their problems and reality.
High time
It is past due time for these males to fix their issues and work towards improving their lives.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAMES DOVIAK, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Herr Kitehugel
I'm really enjoying the new material and the vocals are very strong on this album. Been waiting for this solo work for so many years. So glad it's finally arrived.
Nathaniel Palmer
You tonight in Boston -- better than any show I can ever remember including 20 years of Morrissey shows combined. Damn you're good!!
Paolo Perry
Suono godibile, si distacca un po' da "The Messenger".
Emmanuel Lécollier
Can someone explain me the meaning of this song's title?
John Jennings
I guess "Getting Straight" means leaving bad behaviour behind, getting a proper job, living honestly, working hard, stop hanging around with shady people etc.
Emmanuel Lécollier
ok thanks
EXPLORE JAPAN
+Emmanuel Lécollier I have been wondering about that myself. I have a feeling it isn't about sexuality though.