First of The Gang to Die
Morrissey
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You have never been in love Until you have seen the stars reflect in the reservoirs And you have never been in love Until you have seen the dawn rise Behind the home for the blind We are the pretty, petty thieves And you're standing on our streets Where Hector was the first of the gang with a gun in his hand And the first to do time The first of the gang to die, oh my Hector was the first of the gang with a gun in his hand And the first to do time The first of the gang to die, oh my You have never been in love Until you've seen the sunlight thrown Over smashed human bone We are the pretty, petty thieves And you're standing on our streets Where Hector was the First of the gang with a gun in his hand And the first to do time The first of the gang to die Such a silly boy Hector was the first of the gang with a gun in his hand And the bullet in his gullet and the first lost lad to go under the sod And he stole from the rich and the poor And not very rich and the very poor And he stole our hearts away He stole our hearts away He stole our hearts away
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Written by: Steven Morrissey, Alain Gordon Whyte
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
9 facts about this song
Origin"First of the Gang to Die" is a song by Morrissey, an English singer who is famous for his work as the lyricist and co-songwriter of the famous band, The Smiths.
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Album InformationThe song is from Morrissey's seventh solo studio album, "You Are the Quarry" which was released in May 2004.
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Chart Performance"First of the Gang to Die" was a commercial success, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart. It became his highest-charting single in the UK since "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get" in 1994.
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Music and ThemeThe song is a narrative ballad introducing the character Hector, who is the 'first of the gang to die'. Music-wise, it presents a slightly rockabilly-style rhythm structure.
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Lyrics and InspirationThe lyrics are seen as an ode to Morrissey's Latino fan base in East Los Angeles, a community he developed a strong connection with over his career.
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Music VideoThe accompanying music video, directed by Bucky Fukumoto, features Morrissey and a gang of Latino youths in East L.A., further cementing the song’s recognition of his Latino fans.
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Live Performances"First of the Gang to Die" has frequently been featured in Morrissey's live performances and has also been covered by multiple artists, including Zee Avi on her self-titled debut album.
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AccoladesIn 2011, the NME ranked it #143 on their list of 150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years. The song also ranked #168 on Pitchfork Media's Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s.
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Cultural ImpactThe song is beloved in Los Angeles and often elicits passionate response from fans; the song has even inspired the names of fan clubs, fanzines, websites, and tribute bands.
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Citation
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"First of The Gang to Die Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/36365306/Morrissey/First+of+The+Gang+to+Die>.
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