Johnny Marr Ranks Five Iconic Tracks in Blind Test
Guitarist Johnny Marr ranked five defining tracks from across his discography during an exclusive blind-ranking session with NME, placing cuts from The Smiths and his solo career in order of greatness without knowing which song would play next. The feature arrives as the musician promotes his new solo album, The Age Of Everything, which dropped on October 2. Between discussing his upcoming tour dates and recent album cycle, Marr offered candid verdicts on career-defining songs.
Johnny Marr ranks Electronic hit and solo track
The blind-ranking session kicked off with “Getting Away With It,” a major hit from Marr’s collaborative project Electronic. Marr noted that the track “goes down very very well, even if people are hearing it for the first time,” according to NME. The exercise then shifted to modern territory with “Spin,” a cut from his latest solo record, The Age Of Everything. Marr acknowledged that while “not everybody knows it, it makes an impression.”
Revisiting The Smiths Classics
When presented with The Smiths’ “This Charming Man,” Marr reflected on both its immediate impact and his enduring connection to the music. “Obviously it’s very well known, but it goes by so quick,” he stated, adding that the song still acts as a direct link to his past because he “can hear the young man who wrote those guitar parts.” Moving to 2014 solo material, Marr described “Easy Money” as a “pretty catchy” tune that “goes off bigger than any other at any gig.” He also evaluated the Smiths anthem “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,” calling it a “beautiful song to play” and noting he remains “very proud of it still.” He recounted performing the track recently in Liverpool, where it struck him as the “‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ of my generation.”
Upcoming Tour Dates and Live Performance Changes
Beyond the video feature, Marr discussed his admiration for The Cure and Fontaines D.C., alongside political commentary regarding Andy Burnham and his affinity for The Smiths, as reported by NME. On the live front, Marr is scheduled to play a single show in Liverpool on November 14. That performance will be followed by a short tour across South America, featuring stops in Mexico, São Paulo, and Chile. However, his schedule faced a notable disruption: his largest solo headline show, which was slated to take place later this month at the OVO Arena Wembley, has been postponed to an unspecified future date.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Johnny Marr’s album The Age Of Everything released?
The album was released on Friday, October 2, as confirmed by NME.
Which international tour stops are currently confirmed for Johnny Marr?
Following a performance in Liverpool on November 14, Marr will head to South America for a short tour featuring dates in Mexico, São Paulo, and Chile.
What happened to Johnny Marr’s scheduled concert at OVO Arena Wembley?
His biggest solo headline show at the venue, originally planned for later this month, has been postponed to a currently unspecified date.
Related reading