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."
Word Starts Attack
Johnny Marr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Count the ways to rage on us
All the things that the new world promised
Has made things that are not for us
Made me wonder was it worth it
Makes me wonder is it worth it
I started sayin' smash some mirrors
Words travel fast
Words travel fast
Worlds started to crack
Word starts an attack
Communication
What's with it?
I don't want to get up to it
All the things that the new world promised
Has made things that are not for us
I started sayin' smash some mirrors
And I get out of this
And I get out of this
And I get out of this
And I get out
Someone stop us
And I get out of this
"Word Starts Attack" by Johnny Marr is a commentary on the modern society and the relentless information overload that we experience on a daily basis. The lyrics suggest that we have reached a point where we have become desensitized to the barrage of information and the promises of the new world. The days of no reason are upon us, and we are unable to find meaning amidst the chaos. The song conveys a sense of disillusionment with the promises of the modern world and a longing for a simpler life.
The lyrics "count the ways to rage on us" and "all the things that the new world promised has made things that are not for us" point to a disconnect between the promises of modern technology and the reality that we experience. This disconnect manifests in the form of a communication breakdown. The chorus "words travel fast, worlds started to crack, word starts an attack" suggests that our constant communication has led to a breakdown of understanding and an attack on our sense of identity and individuality. The repetition of the phrase "and I get out of this" suggests a yearning for escape, but also a recognition that there is no easy way out.
Overall, "Word Starts Attack" is a powerful commentary on the state of contemporary society, the challenges we face, and the need to find meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Line by Line Meaning
Days of no reason are upon us
The current times seem pointless and lack purpose.
Count the ways to rage on us
Consider the many ways society is causing harm and causing us to suffer.
All the things that the new world promised
The advancements and improvements expected from modern society.
Has made things that are not for us
These advances haven't benefited everyone, causing inequality and disadvantages.
Made me wonder was it worth it
Leads to question the value and benefit of these changes.
Makes me wonder is it worth it
Continued doubt and questioning of the worth of modern progress.
I started sayin' smash some mirrors
Advocating for a rebellion against these societal expectations and progress.
Words travel fast
Information spreads quickly and with great reach.
Worlds started to crack
The establishment and order of society is starting to break apart and unravel.
Word starts an attack
Communication and the spread of information can incite change and rebellion.
What's with it?
Why is society the way it is? What is the reasoning behind it?
I don't want to get up to it
The artist doesn't want to comply with societal expectations and wants to resist them.
And I get out of this
There is a desire to escape the system or societal order.
Someone stop us
There is a call for an outside force to put an end to the destructive aspects of society.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES DOVIAK, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fireant33
I'm getting into this album like a teenager, in a way that I haven't in years
DHewson Piano
Isn't Johnny ace for putting his album on YouTube, wot a legend.
Lazarus Carr
Top tune, top album, top man.
marciak75
So good!!! Can't wait to see him tonight!
Leonardo Mendel
Great album, you're the best, Johnny!!!! Big fan from Brazil here
Stereoccult
...love this song. I'm calling it right now. The Smiths will be in the Rock Hall 2016. Johnny is the man!
Stereoccult
I still feel like they have unfinished business. Even if they just released a one off single...It would be massive.
maladjusted21
great work!
Stuart McGarrick
Awesome track
William R
Beautiful.
:0)