Free Speech

Marr So, Kirsty MacColl, you've been writing Songs with Johnny Marr. Wasn't it a bit intimidating taking the place of his last wordsmith?

"I don't think I have!" she says, aghast. "I think it would be terribly pretentious of me to think that. Morrissey's my favourite lyricist since Ray Davies!"

Recently, she's been recording the work of both the above heroes. Though largely self-written, Kirsty's forthcoming album will contain a version of Davies' Days, as well as two MacColl and Marr compositions - both of them featuring the Marr guitar. She will also be heard on Mozzer's next single, though probably not on the radio, given that the title is Interesting Drug. Meanwhile, the 12-inch version of MacCoIl's own new single features a cover of the old Smiths favourite, You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby.

"I met them both when working with The Smiths, so it seemed like a natural progression," she explains. "Morrissey had written me a postcard, because I'd said I liked them in interviews. He said they were into what I did, too, and would I like to collaborate with them. Johnny rang up just after they'd recorded it- he'd given me a tape previously- and said 'Do you fancy doing a cover of that?"'

Do you think they'll ever kiss and make up?

"I don't think it's really any of my business," she says. "But I think it would be a shame if they never wrote together again, because the standard of their songs was so brilliant. But that's up to them, isn't it?"

The A-side of Kirsty's single is a fierce, fiery little item, which should surprise those who expect nothing but whimsy and frivolity from her. "There's an overall aggression to it," she concurs. "Free World is very direct and simple; hopefully it'll make people think a bit." The subject matter is "Thatcherite Britain - you know, grab whatever you can and sod the little guy. That's a fashionable way of looking at things, and I don't agree with it."

Closer To God, the third component in the Free World package, is gentler musically but features an even more biting lyric. It's a scathing song to a priest, particularly cherishable for the glorious lines "Does the Lord keep you warm in her bed every night/Are your prayers in the morning just squeals of delight?"

"Most organised religions seem to be very good at keeping women in their place," explains MacColl. "They seem to suggest that man is closer to God, and woman is down the line somewhere with the pigs and the chickens."

The album, Kite, is scheduled for early May release and Kirsty's currently plucking up the courage to play live. "I did a tour in '81 which put me off ever wanting to do it again," she remembers. "I was terribly nervous and under-rehearsed - it just got worse and worse. But I did a lot of gigs with The Pogues after Fairytale Of New York, and that was a great way to learn that side of the craft- having to go out and do it every night, but with a great band. I'm still very nervous, but I think I've got to have a go otherwise I'll always wonder what it would've been like."

"I've got ambitions!" she concludes brightly. "I'd like to write lyrics for Brian Wilson! He's been a great influence on my vocal sound. I really like his album, but Idon't think the lyrics are great. I think he needs me!" - DJ

Meanwhile Record Mirror received their copy of the photo and came up with

FENCING WITH KIRSTY

The rather wonderful, if a little stroppy and occasionally unenthusiastic Kirsty MacColl has landed herself in hot water with two of her chums. Kirsty, you see, is a drinking buddy of both former Smith Johnny Marr and the Mozz himself, and when she appeared singing backing vocals on the fabulous new Morrissey single, Interesting Drug, it looked for a while as if Johnny might get the hump.

Quick as a flash and with all the diplomacy of Kurt Waldheim, Kirsty arranged a fab photo shoot and decked herself out in a Johnny Marr T-shirt. Phew, just in time eh, Kirst? You can win one of the said T-shirts if you can tell us how many times Morrissey's name was mentioned in 'rm' in the past three years and if you can guess the address and closing date for your entries. Ho ho!

(isn't "journalism" a wonderful thing?)

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Free Speech

FENCING WITH KIRSTY

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