Why The Smiths’ Funniest Song Is Actually About Gay Rebellion
The Smiths are undoubtedly funny, despite playing such dreary music. So claiming a song is their funniest can be tricky. “Vicar In A Tutu” is absolutely in the running, with a full cast of characters and a bit of added trolling from Morrissey himself, directed straight toward the Church. This is the story of that song, from it’s last-minute origins to its rockabilly influences and on to its legacy of subversion.
👉 Subscribe for More Videos: https://youtube.com/c/AndyFenstermaker/?sub_confirmation=1
👉 Read the transcript & hear the music on the Poetic Wax Substack: https://poeticwax.substack.com
WATCH NEXT:
âś“ The Humor in Frankly Mr Shankly: https://youtu.be/tPJAN4sOSkI
âś“ The Smiths’ Darkest Song: https://youtu.be/tgrWNyeTfek
âś“ Morrissey’s Big Mouth Strikes Again: https://youtu.be/_RTDWQ0jM7o
🎥 The Smiths on Poetic Wax: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLylroYWVYWWXL84MH1T4Qr0wrRzjwlGMR
Get The Smiths on Vinyl 🎧 https://amzn.to/3PzdQMc
Poetic Wax is hosted by Andy Fenstermaker.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 The Story of Vicar In A Tutu
1:27 The Spark of Eccentricity
4:09 Gay Manchester in the 1980s
6:35 Crafting The Smiths Comic Genius
10:06 The Lyrical Humor of Vicar in a Tutu
11:47 A Tutu Amid Thrones
REFERENCES & CLIPS:
Culture of Manchester, The Gay Village: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF2nzQbaFP4
The Smiths “Vicar in a Tutu” Live on Whistle Test (1986) (cr Tysongreer)
https://youtu.be/3isSM7qDlFI?si=hjlC7ahua7HxQQwE
The Smiths “Vicar in a Tutu” Instrumental Demo (1985) (cr Ann Coates) https://youtu.be/gMRym2St_uw?si=RE7BtlYSvHQYRy1t
Kenny Everett Cupid Stunt and Double Entendres (cr HelloDaves via YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBWpi44gLqU
Morrissey “Vicar In A Tutu” Wireless Festival, Hyde Park, London (July 4, 2008) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpy0ZS2V_zg
#thesmiths #thequeenisdead #morrissey #johnnymarr #andyrourke #vicarinatutu #80smusic #80sindie #manchester #vinylcommunity #vinylrecords #vinylcollection #andyfenstermaker #fensepost #vinylchannel #poeticwax #musicessay #musicstory #albumstory #musichistory #albumhistory #musicdocumentary
@Ronalti65
May 28, 2026 at 12:31 am
"Stop me……" with
"Fell on the floor, I drank more!" Is biographical!🤣
@chrissturgeon1571
May 28, 2026 at 12:31 am
Does Morrissey still stand behind this work? He's had less inclusive views attributed to him in more recent years.
@over-educated-sp
May 28, 2026 at 12:31 am
I would rather be famous, than righteous, or holy, any day, any day, any day. Too funny. I was just listening to this album two days ago.
@tfsonicyouth88
May 28, 2026 at 12:31 am
Vicar in a tutu and anyone can get used to, and I'm a living sign
@SĂ©amus.K.T
May 28, 2026 at 12:31 am
Lifting the lead from a church refers to stealing it to sell it as scrap metal, not a roofer working up there. It was a very common crime back in the day.
@robertculshaw120
May 28, 2026 at 12:31 am
The song title may also be inspired by Desmond Tutu, a well-known South African cleric.
@MozWilde
May 28, 2026 at 12:31 am
I love your channel. Have you ever done any videos on the band Placebo or Suede?
@Karmictale
May 28, 2026 at 12:31 am
My favorite song!
@RottenBanana-YT
May 28, 2026 at 12:31 am
Woot!
@lineplanevolume
May 28, 2026 at 12:31 am
Great essay! Thanks for sharing.
Comments are closed.