Holly Flynn

Favourite track: 'Frankly Mr Shankly'

I must confess, The Queen Is Dead is actually only quite a recent discovery for me. I found Marr before I found Morrissey and subsequently The Smiths, but it is by far my favourite record of theirs - and probably my favourite album of the 80s really. I kind of wish I'd heard it during my teens years because on one level it very much encapsulates that time in your life. The angst, anger and aggression of puberty and becoming a young adult. Morrissey was very brave I think in his lyrics, they're very honest. He sings openly about virginity ('Never Had No One Ever'), unemployment and education ('Frankly, Mr Shankly'), cross dressing ('Vicar In A Tutu') and body issues ('Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others'). All of these topics are raw and relevant now, and always will be. The Queen Is Dead is very accessible and relatable and I think that's why it has stood the test of time thus far. It's one of those albums where on almost every song you go - "yes! I know exactly what you mean!" That is very powerful in itself.