Meat Is Murder: The Song Which Launched Countless Vegetarians

Heifer whines could be human cries
Closer comes the screaming knife
This beautiful creature must die
This beautiful creature must die
A death for no reason
And death for no reason is murder

And the flesh you so fancifully fry
Is not succulent, tasty or kind
It’s death for no reason
And death for no reason is murder

So begins the song “Meat Is Murder” by the Smiths. If there was one song to encourage vegetarianism, no other hits the chord harder than this.  Although it was never released as a single, this is one of the band’s most infamous tracks due to its heart-wrenching message, disturbing lyrics, and haunting melody. Released in 1985, “Meat Is Murder” is the title track of their second album which was the only Smiths to reach number one in the UK charts not including compilations/best of packages.  It also featured their best-known song, “Now Soon Is Now”, a dance club smash which gained popularity in the U.S. thanks to MTV. It was also the theme for the TV show Charmed throughout its eight-year run. While the band’s follow-up album, 1986’s “The Queen Is Dead”, is considered their best by fans and critics, the song “Meat Is Murder” could be the one song which turned a generation of music listeners vegetarian.

The song was written by band frontman Morrissey, who had been veggie since he was 11 years old, along with guitarist John Marr, who went vegan around the time of the album’s release.  Within the 26 years since the song’s release, Morrissey remains an outspoken animal rights advocate and has often found himself the center of criticism for his comments.  In 2006 he refused to tour Canada in protest of the country’s annual seal hunt and in 2009 walked off the stage during a Coachella performance because the smell of cooking meat from the nearby food stands was making him sick. (He returned later to finish the set.)  Most recently he was declared a racist after he described Chinese people as a “subspecies” for their inhumane treatment of “skinning animals alive” for the fur trade. (Incidentally, Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor – who is not veggie – narrated a horrific video for PETA in 2007 about the cat and dog fur trade in China.) In 2005, PETA honored Morrissey with the Linda McCartney Memorial Award for his contributions to animal rights.

Here is a video clip from the documentary “The Importance of Being Morrissey” filmed in 2002 in which the man speaks against the meat industry.







And, here is the video for “Meat Is Murder” featuring concert footage interlaced with images of animals in slaughterhouses. Warning, it’s a rough clip to watch, even for I’d think a meat eater. Personally, the song alone makes me weep, and to be honest, I as of yet have not been able to make it through the entire clip.




Download the track at amazon.com
Buy the album at amazon.com

What A Difference A Day Makes

This wonderful clip was commissioned by Animal Aid – one of the largest and longest established animal rights groups in the United Kingdom. In less than two minutes it explains how eating vegetarian for one day a week could help the environment from a logical point of view. It was created by the award-winning, London-based design/motion company Taylor McKenzie to help launch the Meatless Monday campaign.

According to a post on the Animal Aid website, livestock farming and animal slaughter are now recognized as a significant contributor to many environmental problems. They report that the United Nations stated that it is responsible for 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is more than the entire transport sector combined. Other environmental groups say the figure could be more than 50 percent.

In my opinion, this video is a perfect way to educate and inspire others to at least think about the meat industry.  It drives the point without relying on graphic images of animal torture or judgmental messages which often turn people off to vegetarian causes. Instead, it encourages all to eat meat-free just one day a week – certainly doable even to a devoted meat-and-potatoes person – and the message is neither heavy nor guilt-ridden. The accompanying music – a loop of the lively piano intro of Moby’s “In My Heart” – works in perfect synch the upbeat theme.

 Download “In My Heart” at Amazon.com

Book Review: Linda’s Kitchen

Linda’s Kitchen: Simple and Inspiring Recipes for Meatless Meals
by Linda McCartney, first published in 1995

Linda’s Kitchen was the first vegetarian cookbook I ever bought. As I purchased it so long ago, I’m not sure if I bought it before or after I started going veg or if I was attracted more by the Beatles connection. Nonetheless, Linda’s Kitchen is a beautiful cookbook which I refer to often.

One of the most striking things about this culinary collection is the photography. As Linda was a very talented photographer, I could understand her wishing the images be just right. (Take note she did not take the photos herself. From my own experience, food photography is an art within itself and professional looking photos require a specialist along with stylists, lighting designers, etc.)  The recipes are categorized by course – soups, side dishes, main, pasta, rice & potato, etc. – as well as by season. The book also includes a basic Q&A about vegetarian basics, non-meat protein sources and basic nutrition (which helped me a lot back in 1995 as there was minimal internet access then).

As Linda and her family lived in England, the book features vegetarian alternatives for British pub dishes – including Toad in the Hole and Shepherd’s Pie – in addition to international cuisine such as paella, curries, moussaka and dhal.  Italian, Mexican and general comfort food are presented with everyday ingredients with simple directions. Some entries are actually too effortless and obvious like nachos and potato skins.  Others are very heavy with an abundance of cheese, cream and deep frying, but like any other recipe they could be altered to lighter counterparts. I really like the salad section as it offers entries with an interesting combination of fruits, vegetables and legumes.

So if you are looking for a good intro to vegetarian cooking – as this was for me – Linda’s Kitchen is a basic cookbook which will also appeal to non-vegetarians who just want to cut down on meat.  Perhaps Linda used her and her husband’s status to promote vegetarianism as a normal lifestyle through this, which it accomplishes, but in the end you will still find many meatless and tasty options to prepare for anyone.

Here is a video clip with Linda preparing her version of Chilli Non Carne, one of the 200 recipes featured in the book.




Order at amazon.com