A closer look at Johnny Marr on Vinyl Revival – Part Two

Johnny Marr continued his conversation with Pete Paphides on Vinyl Revival and played Marc Bolan’s ‘Metal Guru’, looked through an old NME from 1972 and talked about the influences in writing ‘Panic’ and ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’.

Part Two – T. Rex ‘Metal Guru’

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T. REX – ‘Metal Guru’ 1972
written by Marc Bolan

It never doesn’t do it for me. There are records that, you know, you’ve loved over the years or whatever, and bands and stuff, and sometimes, as much as you love you it, you’re just not in the mood for it, you know what I mean? But, I used to be a fan of Neil Young and stuff, with all respect, sometime I’m just not in the mood for Neil Young, you know what I mean? But even if I thought I wasn’t in the mood for ‘Metal Guru’ as soon as it kicks in, the world has to stop for the duration of the record. It’s amazing.

JOHNNY NASH – ‘Stir It Up’ 1972
written by Bob Marley

ELTON JOHN – ‘Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long Long Time) 1972
written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

JOHNNY CASH AND THE EVANGEL TEMPLE CHOIR – ‘A Thing Called Love’
written by Jerry Reed Hubbard

DAVID CASSIDY – ‘Could It Be Forever’ 1972
written by Wes Farrell and Danny Janssen

THE DRIFTERS – ‘At The Club’ 11972
written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin

LINDAISFARNE – ‘Lady Eleanor’ 1971
written by Alan Hull

THE SMITHS ‘Panic’ 1986
written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr

Obviously ‘Panic’ is in part a love letter…
…I am such a fan, and The Smiths – me and Morrissey were, we thought like fans, and I think it was a big part of the group. You see in the case of ‘Panic’ was, we had the idea for the song and the title, and I was kinda blatantly saying I’m going to use ‘Metal Guru’ as a building block, as a homage, and almost daring people to point it out. You know, I think often as a songwriter, you know, you hear ideas and snatches of things and you go, oh man, I’m going maybe try and twist that riff around. For me it’s like a nod. It’s a cultural nod, really.