David Byrne vs. Morrissey - who better defined the 80s New Wave movement

[LynneSin]

Both of them are quirky characters with amazing careers both with a band (Byrne - Talking Heads, Morrissey - The Smiths) and solo career.

I was always a big fan of David Byrne (we both have 5/14 birthdates) but lately I've been digging Morrissey even more.

So I put the question to DUers:

Who is better?

David Byrne

or

Morrisseey

4 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	David Byrne
	2 (50%)
	Morrissey
	2 (50%)
	Other (really - can it get better than David Byrne and/or Morrissey?
	0 (0%)
	Please don't make me pick - I love the both equally!
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[JCMach1]

1. Don't think of them in the same category... Talking Heads rose out of the New Wave/Punk scene in

late 1970's New York along with a whole host of other bands Blondie, Patti Smith, et al with the scene centered around CBGB's...

Morrissey is post-punk, late-1980's Manchester, UK pop...

Love both, but for New Wave, the Queen will always be Debbie Harry and Blondie...

The Smiths are alas the Smiths... and will always be a unique pop moment...

I feel like I am in 'Confessions of a 1980's Hipster'

[d_r]

2. I voted other

I don't think one single person. Many ppl and groups. IG had to say one person I say sioixie Sioux. See no one person.

[d_r]

3. note

And I say that in the broad serius first wave kind of way not in a particular genre definition sort of way.

[onehandle]

4. Byrne is a leader. Morrissey is a follower who thinks he's a leader.

Both are kind of pricks. But Morrissey is the king.

[Coventina]

5. I certainly have gobs of respect for David Byrne, BUT, Morrissey got me through my teenage years.

He seemed to understand when absolutely nobody else in my life was even trying.

He wasn't afraid to say that sex was often unsatisfying, or even disgusting.

He wasn't afraid to say that being sensitive and vulnerable is more gutsy than "being strong".

He wasn't afraid to say that bullying was rampant, at a time (societally) when we were all told to "shut up and suck it up."

He wasn't afraid to say that suicidal thoughts are normal when all hope is gone.

I think that's why he has such a fanatical following from those of us who latched onto the Smiths (and his later solo career).

I had a sincerely straight, male friend of mine say, "He's the only man I'd switch teams for."

That's how devoted we are.

[LynneSin]

6. He's playing here in Delaware in June - the concert sold out in less than 2 hours

and thankfully my volunteer group is working the show - I can't wait to see him.

[Coventina]

8. If you've never seen him before...it'll be an experience!

At the end of the show, people will start rushing up on the stage and get a quick hug before they run off again (or security gets them).
It's a thing that happens.

Also, he'll throw at least one shirt into the crowd, and they will go MAD to get a piece of it.

He'll say self-deprecating things, like calling himself fat and old.

He has a large following in the male, Latino community, so depending on your local demographics, you may see a lot of them show up.
I'm not sure how that got started, but it's pretty awesome, how diverse his audience is.

He usually doesn't do any Smiths material until the very end of the show.

I envy you. He had to cancel his show here, last February, when he got really sick.

And, he keeps threatening to retire.....

[LynneSin]

9. well I'll be a volunteer in the back unless

I can convince my captain to let me do Lift. He had me on Lift for another show but in the end they didn't anyone tall enough to do coat room (I know that sounds odd but he had someone who is like 4'11 doing it and that's tough for shorter people.) So I got moved back to there but I was fine cause it wasn't really a band I wanted to see.

[Codeine]

20. I've seen him a ton of times.

It's always fantastic.

[Codeine]

28. "It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate,

it takes strength to be gentle and kind." When I was 16 those words were exactly what I needed to hear articulated by another person, and nobody else was saying it.

[Coventina]

32. Yep. Exactly my experience as well.

It sounds really maudlin, but at the time, I really felt like he saved my life, or, at least my sanity.

[Avalux]

7. I don't think they can be compared.

Each in their own way, are original and unique. Morrissey is a divisive figure; people either love him or hate him; but that was part of his thing during The Smiths's heyday. I've never really heard that about Byrne, he's not that type of personality. Both are creative geniuses.

[progressoid]

10. Hmmm, I want to vote for Byne but maybe it's Mark Mothersbaugh

or Debbie Harry

or...

[Tom Ripley]

11. Easily Byrne, but I would much rather have a conversation with Morrissey

In fact, I have always found his interviews to be far more enjoyable than his music.

[shenmue]

12. I like both

But I picked Morrissey.

[Arugula Latte]

13. I think The Smiths have to be one of the top three influential bands of the past few decades.

I'm a fan of both, but I've gotta give this one to Moz.

[Throd]

14. Something of an apples to carburetors comparison.

[Steerpike]

15. to me 80's new wave was punk as "Dance Music" for the young

[Steerpike]

16. Actually more than a few GREAT Bands

[Steerpike]

17. New Wave was so many things

[Codeine]

19. That song was warmed-over easy listening for old people trying to pretend

they were cool. Gah.

[Steerpike]

23. lol

no one in the history of performing art is more pretentious that mo...not saying that's a bad thing...just saying...

[Codeine]

24. He's a pretentious prat with half a brain at best.

And I still love him! Always will.

[Steerpike]

27. sounds right

and I would never say he wasn't a genius who didn't deserve the love and admiration of his fans...

But to me DEVO is the king...and the Femmes...and Blondie...

[Codeine]

18. David Byrne is a cool guy,

but Moz is Moz. I doubt many people will tell you their lives were changed by Talking Heads. There are hundreds of thousands - at a minimum - of people worldwide who will tell you their lives were changed by The Smiths.

[Steerpike]

21. OK

I voted for Byrne...becouse people can parody morrisey and it's funny as hell...but byrne riffed on so many others, he was a living parody himself...which was effectively the very heart of the new wave movement...morrissey fans cared much more...but lets face it...Talking Heads made a much bigger impact...

[Steerpike]

22. these were my favorite new wave

[Codeine]

26. I saw them about a decade ago at a big outdoor festival.

They took the stage just as the sun set and a cool breeze revived the audience a bit after we spent the day broiling under relentless heat. 40,000 people singing "Dayyyyyyyy, after dayyyyyyy" was pretty magical.

[sendero]

25. Musically...

.... Talking Heads by a country mile. Sure, their lyrics allowed you to create their own meaning as they could mean anything. But TH were awesome, especially during the Eno years. Remain in Light is an all time top 20 recording.

[denbot]

29. I voted Byrne, but the true answer is Chrissie Hynde

I always thought the Smiths, and Morriseey especially, were whiney.

Talking Heads was a fun group, but to me the Pretenders rocked it.

[Throd]

30. Gang of Four

[Throd]

31. Gary Myrick & The Figures