Then & Now: How Soon is Now?
16 years ago I first heard The Smiths How Soon is Now while dancing at a 6th street venue in Austin. Last Saturday night at 10:30 I listened to it at an HEB Plus in RR while getting groceries for my family of 6. I refrained from dancing - barely. 16 years from now Jack & I will be groovin' to it at the local Senior Center's afternoon dance, then head to Luby's for a 5pm dinner.
Tangents:
*I didn't hear the song until 1992, though it came out in 1985. Not surprising, given that during 1985 I was in the hot bed of dance music that is Palestine, TX. Apparently Morrisey & the boys re-released it.
*I remember when, where, & who I was with when I first heard it because I liked it so much, it scratches my melancholy itch.
*So, how soon is now?
*Now I'm married to a Smith whose middle name is Morris. On a 10 our first (& only) trip back to El Paso, he played this song. Sigh. Such soulmates.

I need to clarify...I was listening on my mp3 player, though I wouldn't be surprised to hear it on the Muzak because I have heard some New Order and Cure while shopping.
Gretchen, I hadn't thought of listening to it w/the kiddos, but I love the idea of wailing the lyrics you mentioned, especially w/the inflection Morrisey uses. Wouldn't ya' know it, a few days after you commented I heard the song on a local station's flashback lunch and sang along w/it.
Christy, it is crazy they have become Muzak. Marilyn Manson's day is coming soon, I suppose.
Posted by: Lexie | August 19, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Heh heh.
I have "How Soon Is Now?" on my iPod. It often pops up as I am driving here and there with the family. They think I am crazy as I sing, "I am human and I need to be loved! Just like anyone else does..." and the best line of all, "...and you go home, and you cry and you want to die!"
It's a classic. I can't believe you heard it in a grocery store, though.
Posted by: gretchen from lifenut | August 07, 2008 at 02:47 PM
You're so funny. And how crazy is that that the Smiths have become Muzak??
Posted by: Christy | August 06, 2008 at 07:50 AM