My Gen X Playlist: Back to the Old House – The Smiths

I’ve always been interested in Eichler homes. Joseph Eichler was a developer that built Mid-century modern homes in California between 1949 and 1966. His designs were inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Eichler homes are examples of Modernist architecture that has come to be known as “California Modern”, and typically feature glass walls, post-and-beam construction, and open floorplans in a style indebted to Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe. . . One of Eichler’s signature concepts was to “bring the outside in”, achieved via skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows with glass transoms looking out on protected and private outdoor rooms, patios, atriums, gardens, and swimming pools.

– Wikipedia

I like the bring the outside in concept with floor to ceiling glass windows, skylights, open floor concepts and even an atrium within the home. Although a bit retro, the style really fits the California weather and feel. I can’t say for certain if it would be my forever dream home, but I’d love to experience living in one for awhile. I keep imagining being surrounded by sunshine during springtime, a fresh cup of coffee in hand. Not a bad way to spend the day, especially in a work from home environment.

The Smiths released Back to the Old House in 1984. It’s melancholy almost to the point of depressing, but what else do you expect from Morrissey?

“Back to the Old House” is undoubtedly one of The Smiths’ most melancholic tracks. The band’s discography is rife with melancholic songs but this one takes the melancholy a notch higher.

Morrissey is able to creatively use the lyrics to effectively deliver pure melancholic sorrow.

. . . about not wanting to go back to a certain “old house” simply because it brings him a lot of “bad memories”

– SongMeaningsAndFacts

Had Morrissey’s lived in an Eichler home full of windows and sunshine, maybe he wouldn’t be so depressed all of the time. Well, who am I kidding? We are talking about Morrissey here. He’d probably still be depressed, but hopefully with a nice tan. That’s not a bad start.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

I would rather not go
Back to the old house
I would rather not go
Back to the old house
There's too many bad memories
Too many memories there

When you cycled by
Here began all my dreams
The saddest thing I've ever seen
And you never knew
How much I really liked you
Because I never even told you
Oh, and I meant to
Are you still there or have you moved away?
Or have you moved away?

I would love to go
Back to the old house
But I never will
I never will
I never will