Gleeful Discontent

Eddy Current Suppression Ring - We’ll Be Turned On

The  (other) Primary Colours album has been the perfect soundtrack over the past two days as I’ve been winning at life generally (which for me means doing things that ordinary people always do but I procrastinate and avoid).

This track in particular was perfect just tonight as I strutted down the cereal aisle at the grocery store, but I’m sure it works equally as well in other aisles and places other than grocery stores.

rebjukebox:hypem:somesongsconsidered:

“Ask” – The Smiths 
(Words/music: Johnny Marr and Morrissey, available on Louder than Bombs, Sire 1987) 

No matter what anyone else says, vagueness is not a virtue.  I had an experience today where hollow thought took precedence over a considerate, well-formed answer, and it bugged me ever since.  Sure, there are times when full-disclosure isn’t wise, and perhaps coyness or discretion is a virtue – knowing when a one word answer or a scaled down version of a story suffices.  But vagueness for the sake of not-committing infuriates me to no end.  To oversimplify it, it too often comes down to an unwillingness to commit to an idea (or, in some cases, avoiding thinking at all).  We’re all entitled to turn off our brains every now and again or to have a knee-jerk reaction to something like a song or a movie without an accompanying defense.  The problem comes when a vague answer garners praise for insight that isn’t there.

I don’t think Morrissey and I are ranting about the same thing here, but I think the sentiments overlap.  The heart of the lyric targets inaction; specifically, that unless you advocate for your thoughts and ideas, don’t’ expect them to go anywhere.  It’s slightly ironic given that many canonize Morrissey as the patron saint of shy souls, but it’s necessary advice.  While his narrator claims that he can’t say no if asked, it’s also not the end of the world if someone says no.  After all, you’re just in the same place where you started, only without the nagging “what if” lingering in the back of your head.  In this case, vagueness about one’s intentions forces people to be mind readers, and when we leave it to others to read our minds we can’t expect to be understood.

So if anything, virtue lies in directness – whether directness in advocating for yourself or just being direct about your perspective.  And if someone asks you a question, give them a real answer.

More on The Smiths: Allmusic | Amazon MP3 | Emusic | Last.fm

YES.