My friends and I get really into the music that we're into. We like to make lists of the artists that we like and rank them. But this debate has been running for sometime now. Who is the greater artist.

Morrissey or David Byrne

Their careers can be compared rather easily. They both fronted two great bands during the 80's and they both went on to have great solo efforts.

Just felt like throwing something out onto the boards before I sleep. Nigth everyone. ^-^

The only Byrne's solo album that I know is Rei Momo and I think it's a great record but I can't see real comparisons between him & Mozz, more between him and Sting and Peter Gabriel.

Morrissey is a better lyricist.
Morrissey is also a better vocalist.
If You Compare Them The Smiths/Morrisey have made better, more complete albums
David Byrne is a better visual Artist (Music Videos) even though the smiths had interesting covers.
David Byrne and The Talking Heads are more musically diverse.

The Talking Heads are in the ROF, the smiths aren't. if that means anything..

CherubRocker said:

Can They? The Heads were formed about 8 years before the smiths. They're very different. I luv the smiths/morrissey but David Byrne has made better songs, mabye it was with the assitance of Eno, but I Believe David to be the superior. The Smiths have never done anything like This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody).

I too see no real musical comparisions and so will not chose.

I like both, hehehe.

If indeed asked David Byrne or Sting, like suggested, I would have picked Byrne.

HamsterHuey said:

You know you hate Morrissey you big ole liar!

GangstaFam said:

I did not say I would pick him, now would I? I was talking about the comparison.

Now if it was Smith/Morrissey, you know who I would chose!

I'll have to answer my own question. In a world where I could only have one of them. I would have to pick David Byrne. His Talking Heads albums great, but I like to think that he shines in his solo projects. "Look Into The Eyeball" and "Grown Backwards" both have wonderful songs. "The Great Intoxication" and "(Nothing But) Flowers" are both insanly well crafted songs.


Morrissey on the other hand. Wow, I only came into his music recently as last summer. I love him for his lyrics and his attitude. Songs like "Frankly Mr. Shankly" and "I Have Forgiven, Jesus" have all created elaborate worlds in my head.

It's such a hard choice to go with one over the other. Both of these men have my gratitude because life isn't a hypothetical question and I get to enjoy the merits of both.

In my conversations with my friend we'll end up talking about covers we'd like to see. Maybe a Morrissey version of Talking Head's "Heaven" or what I think would be amazing, a cover of David Byrne's "Miss America". A slow ballad from Morrissey would be perfect for that song.

On the opposite end we could have David Byrne. I would love to hear a version of "There is A Light that never goes out" that incorporates a strings section. I can imagine Byrne up on stage singing "All The Lazy Dykes".


Ahh. I love being obsessed with wierd musicians.

Where was I when this thread started?

I truly, madly, and deeply love both these artists, and comparing one with the other is just unfair to me. But I'd have to say that David Byrne, as weird and as kooky as he is, is better. His music is more diverse, and he has a lot more control over his emotions.

NWF said:

Me too. Well put, NWF.

I was eating lunch on the weekend and looked out the window and was like that guy looks just like David Byrne..but that can't be him because what the fuck would he be doing walking down this street in New Zealand and switched on the news later that night and he was in town on tour. Just thought I'd share.

mynameisnotsusan said:

LoL
I once had that with Lou Reed. Was walking through Amsterdam, then spot this guy that looked so much like him, I smiled at him.
Then I walk on and think, the woman he's with is a dead-beat lookalike for Laurie Anderson....

I take another step.... look back, to realise it IS them. They were sitting on a bench in Amsterdam center, enjoying eachother and the sun.