A former Smash Hits staffer remembers: As a kid, I'd get a fortnightly buzz when my Dad would take me to the newsagents to pick up my latest copy. I'd tear through the pages looking for mentions of those I adored (A-ha and the Pet Shop Boys were top of the tree), only to go back to the start and pore over every single word and picture caption...
It firmly instilled in me a love of pop trivia, as well as a whole new vocabulary: 'swingorrilliant', 'fleepers', 'puh-lease', 'Sir Fab' 'Macca Wacky' 'Thumbs Aloft' - as well as the infectious habit of misusing quotation marks in a "humourous" manner.
I was a small part of the Smash Hits team for just over two fantastic years. The pop landscape had totally changed by the time I joined as sub editor in 2003. But under the devoted eye of editors Lisa Smosarski, and then Lara Palamoudian, we worked hard and had ridiculous amounts of fun delivering an entertaining, funny magazine. Smash Hits never lost its poptastic irreverence, humour or loyalty to its readers. It was my childhood dream to work there, an honour to have done so, and I hope it is remembered with love.
Smash Hits: an ode
So farewell then, Smash Hits. You gave me Pet Shop Boys 'posters' And funny interviews with Kylie.
Letters 'answered' by Black Type Lo, the elusive badge and tea towel. You even gave me a 'job' for a couple of years With groovy people who became my 'chums'.
However You also made me meet Peter so-called 'Andre' And for that I can never forgive you.
So farewell then, Smash Hits. We're the same age But the kids don't love you anymore.
Screw them! With their mobiles and their email and their myspace I will always think of you As forever "swingorilliant".
fin.
Nadia Shireen
