The songs that shaped the life and career of Johnny Marr
Noel Gallagher once called Johnny Marr “a fucking wizard,” stating, “He’s unique; you can’t play what he plays.” A true maestro, Marr found success as a sought-after session musician and songwriting partner. Since the dissolution of The Smiths, he has collaborated with various big names, including Talking Heads, Bryan Ferry, and Pet Shop Boys.
In 2013, Marr unveiled his debut solo album, The Messenger, followed by three subsequent releases, including Fever Dreams Pts. 1-4. Throughout his illustrious career, the guitarist has outshone his outspoken bandmate Morrissey, earning recognition as an unstoppable force and musical virtuoso.
In a conversation with Fred Perry, Marr shared some of his favourite songs that continue to inspire him. When asked about the first song he played on repeat, he selected the T. Rex track ‘Jeepster’ from their iconic and celebrated album Electric Warrior. Despite being the band’s sixth album, it largely signalled a shift towards a poppier, glam-rock style that would define their sound.
During an appearance on The Celebrity Playlist Podcast, Marr also once disclosed some of his most cherished songs to fellow luminary Jeff Beck, mentioning the likes of Buddy Holly and Django Reinhardt as some of his favourite artists. He also appreciated Beck’s choices when it came to his most beloved tracks, which ranged from Eddie Floyd’s ‘Big Bird’ to Little Richard’s ‘Lucille’.
Considering Marr’s love for good old-fashioned rock music, he once told The Quietus that the Buzzcocks “made modern guitar music that was appropriately punky but sounded razor-sharp on the radio in the middle of such a load of mainstream nonsense”.
He added: “Buzzcocks influenced The Smiths massively in the way we approached our record sleeves and our choice of independent record company – because of the Buzzcocks, we took on a Mancunian DIY ethic whilst being in the charts.”
When asked about songs he wishes he had written, Marr explained why he loved The Kinks’ ‘All Day and All Of the Night’, admitting that The Kinks is one of the “music icons that inspire his sound today.” Marr also cited Pet Shop Boys as a band that penned some of his favourite songs, including ‘Love Comes Quickly’, adding that, “Someone once said Pet Shop Boys are The Smiths that you can dance to.”
When prompted to select five songs from contemporary bands he admires, Marr also opted for ‘Flood’s New Light’ by the Californian experimental rock group Thee Oh Sees, ‘The Answer’ by the Mercury Prize-nominated band Savages, ‘Xed Eyes’ by the Canadian electronica ensemble Holy Fuck, and many more. Check out the full list below.
Johnny Marr’s favourite songs:
- T. Rex – ‘Jeepster’
- The Stooges – ‘Raw Power’ (Iggy Pop Mix)
- The Kinks – ‘All Day and All of the Night’
- Savages – ‘The Answer’
- Telegram – ‘You Said You Saw Us’
- Man Made – ‘Raining in My Head’
- Thee Oh Sees – ‘Flood’s New Light’
- Holy Fuck – ‘Xed Eyes’
- Buzzcocks – ‘What Do I Get?’
- Magazine – ‘Shot By Both Sides’
- The Animals – ‘It’s My Life’
- Buddy Holly – ‘Not Fade Away’
- Django Reinhardt – ‘Belleville’
- The The – ‘This Is The Day’
- The Hollies – ‘Bus Stop’
- Sister Sledge – ‘Lost In Music’
- Iggy Pop & The Stooges – ‘Gimme Danger’
- Pet Shop Boys – ‘Love Comes Quickly’
