That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
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| “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” | |||||
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| Single by The Smiths from the album Meat Is Murder |
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| Released | July 1, 1985 | ||||
| Format | 7" single, 12" single | ||||
| Recorded | Autumn 1984 | ||||
| Genre | Alternative rock | ||||
| Length | 4:59 | ||||
| Label | Rough Trade | ||||
| Writer(s) | Johnny Marr Morrissey |
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| Producer | The Smiths | ||||
| The Smiths singles chronology | |||||
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"That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" is a song by British rock band, The Smiths. It first appeared on their album Meat Is Murder, and was released as their eighth single. It was composed by guitarist Johnny Marr and singer/songwriter Morrissey.
The song is about a car ride where the narrator's partner makes a mocking statement about those who are suicidal and lonely. In an extended monologue, Morrissey responds to the joke. He reveals his acuity as a lyricist, as he so often does, in playing with figurative and literal meanings – notably in the line "I drove the point home" – which refers both to the literal "return home" in the car and the insistence with which he makes his point in response to the joke.
A unique single, it was the second-lowest charting Smiths single, reaching only #49. The repetition and sad tone conveyed are unusual for a Smiths single. This has raised suspicions that the song is about a journalist with whom Morrissey had a relationship. According to Dave Simpson in his Uncut article (August 1998), the unnamed journalist steadfastly refuses to discuss Morrissey to this day. [1]
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[edit] Track listing
[edit] 7”: Rough Trade / RT186 (UK)
- “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” – 4:57
- “Meat Is Murder (live)” – 5:34
[edit] 12”: Rough Trade / RTT186 (UK)
- “That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore” – 4:57
- “Nowhere Fast (live)” – 2:31
- “Stretch Out and Wait (live)” – 2:49
- “Shakespeare's Sister (live)” – 2:12
- “Meat Is Murder (live)” – 5:34
[edit] Etchings on vinyl
UK 7": OUR SOULS, OUR SOULS, OUR SOULS / OUR SOULS, OUR SOULS, OUR SOULS
UK 12": OUR SOULS, OUR SOULS, OUR SOULS / none
Canada 12": HELEN WHEELS / none
[edit] References
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