Why “Meat is Murder” by The Smiths Still Matters Today
In 1985, The Smiths released “Meat is Murder,” an album that connects the dots between various forms of violence that perpetuate our society. This is the story of that album and why it still matters today.
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CHAPTERS:
0:00 The Smiths’ Anti-Violence Masterpiece
1:53 The Context of The Smiths’ Meat Is Murder
4:32 The Meat is Murder Cover Art
5:41 Themes of Anti-Violence Across the Album
10:55 The Reception and Legacy of Meat is Murder
12:54 The Smiths’ Approach to Activism Through Art
15:28 Why Meat Is Murder Still Matters Today
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@AndyFenstermaker
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
Next, join me as I dig into the story of "Bigmouth Strikes Again" 👉 https://youtu.be/_RTDWQ0jM7o
@edwardianspice1
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
I gave up meat after this album was released. Vegetarian for 40 years x
@lolasharp1332
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
I’m doing my epq on the meat is murder song, as a passionate vegetarian I am loving it 🙂 thank you for these amazing ideas I can consider!!!!
@stephenerickson8107
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
Meat is Murder is the finest Smiths record. It's when they were at the height of their powers but still didn't fully realize it. Tracks like What She Said and Rusholme Ruffians perfectly encapsulated teen anger and frustration. Queen is Dead is a classic record but it's too knowing and self-conscious.
@douglasarthur2673
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
M8. Margaret Thatcher transformed Britain, reversing the post-war decline wrought by socialism.
@penmaenmawrdefiant1146
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
Hey, from a Brit and a huge Smiths fan from the 80s. Thanks for this.
@kypekka
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
If this came out today it would be condemned as "woke" and Morrissey himself would be among the first. That is the saddest part. I still and always will love this album. But i cannot listen to it anymore without a strong feeling of betrayal by the creator of these great and important lyrics.
@jonniewaniak4494
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
Cuck rock lol
@jonniewaniak4494
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
yep, that's why they were the band for low testosterone men and high calorie women typical liberal weak pathetic beta men
@DarlinJacq
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
The Smith's were All'ahways ahead of their time, I have found, because I learned & mesmerize over & memorized their lyrics in the 80's (along with Morrissey's lyrics in the 90's & beyond) & I found how they played out In My Life then & still play out In My Life NOW, in 2025…
@cnault3244
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
Meat is murder? Only if you're engaged in cannibalism,
@MrDot9
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
I love the Smiths but we couldn`t have developed into homo sapiens without being meat eaters.
@MikeGervasi
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
I love The Smiths, Morrissey and Johnny F'n Marr. However I feel MIM is unfocused and their "weakest" album (like a 8 out of 10).
@The-King-of-Holland
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
never was a fan.
@NickB1967
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
4:32 Frankly, it would have been better if they kept the original "Make War Not Love" helmet picture and titled the album *that*. IIRC, the original Magic Marker scrawled on the Vietnam War Marine's helmet was intended as bitter sarcasm?
@pennsworth996
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
The lore I may be misremembering about the Smiths is that songs were given to Morrissey only when the music was finished, so I don't know that Marr or the band ever had the opportunity to 'elevate heavy subject matter' or to participate at all in the relationship between the words and music. It's certainly not the typical process but it's easy to imagine this is Moz' preferred method.
@TheGritherr
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
sounds like a man who evolved far enough to have a conscience, love that. I've come to admire Morrissey
@DanielMartin-l5i
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
As a Marines in 1985 I did get a chance to listen to their music in PalmSprings on Palm Canyon Drive. We were stationed at 29 Palms , CA (Mojave Desert) where we were training in Microwave radio and field radio operator courses. We played this music while waiting on formation on the grinder (parade deck) The response was very different from what you might expect, it has a certain amount of identifying characteristics that I was attracted to. It was a time when people carried around their huge boom boxes and Marines were break dancing before formation . It didn’t matter what their sexuality was because it was good music and most importantly people liked it, and the melancholy lyrics, those were all good times.
Thank you for sharing this story, and thank you for reminding me to listen to them here on YouTube.
@Caalifrna
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
You should really consider doing a video on Morrissey’s solo career.
Jack the Ripper or international playboy would be a great watch !
@Conspiraceez1
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 am
You should do a review on the chameleons
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