Desert Island Discs (with a twist) Part 3: Barbarism Begins at Home - The Smiths

First posted on another blog on Jan 2nd

In this series of pivotal records, we have moved sequentially from 1979 to 1980 and now onto 1985. Out of the five ultimate tracks chosen, this is by far the most left field (although the previous one Man in the Corner Shop had a left tinge). Barbarism Begins at Home is a predominately instrumental track taken off The Smiths 1985 album Meat is Murder. However, it is not the album version that resonated so high to make this list, but the one heard live at the Birmingham Hippodrome in the year of its release. 

My first recollection of that night was why on earth was the Hippodrome putting on rock gigs. I can barely remember another gig there. It would have been like The Rolling Stones playing a West End theatre. Secondly, I can clearly recall Morrissey bounding on stage singing William, It Was Really Nothing to open the set, yet I can remember nothing of an unknown at the time Manchester band called James opening the show. For one striking reason though, I can still hear every chord of Johnny Marr leading the encore number of Barbarism Begins at Home. 

Up until 1985, the handful of gigs attended had been highlighted by being thrilled about hearing the singles and familiar songs live. Four of the most memorable songs heard live at the time were Chance by Big Country, Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran, The Jam's Start and, not surprising if you have followed this series, Time for Action by Secret Affair at my very first gig. 

The big difference between these four and Barbarism Begins at Home was that the former were all hit singles and anticipated pre-gig highlights. The latter came totally out of left field and fuelled to this day a notion that there can be a difference to what you experience on record to what you hear live. The version The Smiths played that night has never left my mind, although I haven't played the album cut for years up until now. Once again, when trying to select five pivotal tracks, this one was not an obvious choice, until we reach the latter years when live music really took hold. In recent times live music has become a staple and it is a regular occurrence when a song rises to the top of the pack once heard in a gig environment. For every song that enacts this moment, they all must take a bow to Barbarism Begins at Home. This was the ultimate live music pioneer and a pivotal moment when the power of the gig shifted the musical plate.