Some love him, some hate him. What's your view of the pope of mope? :)

He is brilliant, I love his weirdness. I love how he unnerves people with his terrible moods :hihi:

Glad to see a fan here! I went to see him in Sheffield City Hall a couple of years ago. He's a very polarising figure of course though. The marmite of music :D.

I think hes great, I have most of his albums and always buy his latest on release.

He has brought out some duff material over the years (who hasnt) but is always interesting, good live and a great lyricist.

Great top4718. What do you think of his new album? I quite like 'Sorry doesn't help', 'Something is Squeezing', 'Black Cloud' etc. The whole albums really :). I have to say that I agree with you, that the quality of his output has been variable over the years, but the strength of his lyrics is always something that manages to pull me in.

The most exciting male solo performer of these times:bigsmile:

A true legend always cheers me up.

The most exciting male solo performer of these times:bigsmile:

I would say there are deffo more exciting ones then him out there.

Im in the hate him camp btw, just dont like his music, not for me

I would say there are deffo more exciting ones then him out there.

Im in the hate him camp btw, just dont like his music, not for me

He does appear to invoke emotions at either end of the scale. People either think he's amazing and speaks to them in a very meaningful way, or they just shrug and think he's boring or up himself.

Who would you class as a great Frontman?

Mozzer is a class act and no mistake. Such conviction, such passion and he's actually bloody funny as well.

hata hate hate looooaathe

I would love to see him on stage with Madonna

(I nearly put perform on stage oops)

Old Morrissey's quality.

Bring back the Smiths - the world needs em!!!

Love him. He's a legend. Has anyone read 'The Wrong Boy' by Willy Russell? Brilliant book for any Mozza fan. Especially for those who discovered him as a teenager. Great story even if you're not a Mozza fan tbh

Brilliant, a true legend. The world needs him now more than ever.

Off the rails I was and
off the rails
I was happy to stay
GET OUT OF MY WAY
on the rack I was
"easy Meat
but a reasonably good buy
a reasonably good buy
the Piccadilly palare
was just a silly slang
between me and the boys in my gang
"so bona to vada, OH YOU
your lovely eek and
your lovely riah
We plied an ancient trade
where we threw all life's
instructions away
exchanging lies and digs (my way)
well, in a belted coat
oh I secretly knew
that I hadn't a clue
the Piccadilly palare
was just a silly slang
between me and the boys in my gang
exchanging palare
you wouldn't understand
good sons like you
NEVER DO
So why do you smile
when you thing about Earls Court?
but you cry when you think of all
the battles you've fought (and lost)?
it may all end tomorrow
or, it could go on forever
(in which case; I'm doomed)
it could go on forever

LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE


Off the rails I was and
off the rails
I was happy to stay
GET OUT OF MY WAY
on the rack I was
"easy Meat
but a reasonably good buy
a reasonably good buy
the Piccadilly palare
was just a silly slang
between me and the boys in my gang
"so bona to vada, OH YOU
your lovely eek and
your lovely riah
We plied an ancient trade
where we threw all life's
instructions away
exchanging lies and digs (my way)
well, in a belted coat
oh I secretly knew
that I hadn't a clue
the Piccadilly palare
was just a silly slang
between me and the boys in my gang
exchanging palare
you wouldn't understand
good sons like you
NEVER DO
So why do you smile
when you thing about Earls Court?
but you cry when you think of all
the battles you've fought (and lost)?
it may all end tomorrow
or, it could go on forever
(in which case; I'm doomed)
it could go on forever

Dreadful....:(

One of my favs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAFaVQCGrk4

He does appear to invoke emotions at either end of the scale. People either think he's amazing and speaks to them in a very meaningful way, or they just shrug and think he's boring or up himself.

Who would you class as a great Frontman?


Great Frontmen to me

Josh Homme (Queens of The Stone Age)
Maynard James Keenan (Tool/APC)
Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)
Cedric Bixler-Zavala (At The Drive In/Mars Volta)
Mr E (The Eels)

As for solo frontmen:

Mark Lanegan
Martin Grech
Tom Vek

Great Frontmen to me

Josh Homme (Queens of The Stone Age)
Maynard James Keenan (Tool/APC)
Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)
Cedric Bixler-Zavala (At The Drive In/Mars Volta)
Mr E (The Eels)

As for solo frontmen:

Mark Lanegan
Martin Grech
Tom Vek

I do enjoy music from the Eels, and have been pleasantly surprised by the high standard of the Foo Fighters over the years. I haven't heard many songs by Tool but Maynard James Keenan is a strange/intriguing fellow.

Personally i think the Foo's have gone downhill since The Colour and The Shape, i love The Eels, awesomoe live, check out there cover of Missy Elliots Get Your Freak On, its quality

I didn't know they've covered a Missy Elliot track :).. I'll check it out.

Its in a best of iv got, canne remember the name

Live Version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIeqZ3qPFWs&feature=related

Saw him 3 times with The Smiths, including their first UK tour, and I've admired him ever since. One of those gigs was Glastonbury in 1984, and I saw him there again 20 years later. He was even more powerful and commanding and totally blew me away.

PS. Whoever mentioned him performing with Madonna, go wash your mouth out. Her only talent is self-promotion. She isn't fit to clean Morrissey's toilet.

Personally i think the Foo's have gone downhill since The Colour and The Shape,

Totally agree. That's because all the best songs on The Colour... were Nirvana songs originally intended for their next album. Just listen to them and imagine Kurt's voice; you can tell. Not so with subsequent FF albums.

Totally agree. That's because all the best songs on The Colour... were Nirvana songs originally intended for their next album. Just listen to them and imagine Kurt's voice; you can tell. Not so with subsequent FF albums.

I really like Everlong..

Saw him 3 times with The Smiths, including their first UK tour, and I've admired him ever since. One of those gigs was Glastonbury in 1984, and I saw him there again 20 years later. He was even more powerful and commanding and totally blew me away.

PS. Whoever mentioned him performing with Madonna, go wash your mouth out. Her only talent is self-promotion. She isn't fit to clean Morrissey's toilet.

You're lucky to have seen him with The Smiths and solo. I saw him once a couple of years back in Sheffield City Hall. It was amazing to see him, but the security were a bit full on with people.

Totally agree. That's because all the best songs on The Colour... were Nirvana songs originally intended for their next album. Just listen to them and imagine Kurt's voice; you can tell. Not so with subsequent FF albums.

Really? I dont think i can imagine stuff from first album being Nirvana songs maybe but not TCATS, but i suppose its good they have grown away from Nirvana and doing there own thing. All the newer albums have a few good songs, just not all good songs

What a pretentious ******. There's nothing wrong with Morrisey that a good hard slap with a wet fish wouldn't sort out.

He's boring, and he's not a very good singer.

Really? I dont think i can imagine stuff from first album being Nirvana songs maybe but not TCATS, but i suppose its good they have grown away from Nirvana and doing there own thing. All the newer albums have a few good songs, just not all good songs

Just to court some more controversy: Nirvana were awful too, the Foo Fighters are 10 times the band that Nirvana could ever have been.

I wouldnt say Nirvana were as good as everyone says they are, much better grunge bands around, but in all fairness iv seen the Foo Fighters a fair few times live now and there quite boring live, best thing about them is they always have awesome support (motorhead..QOTSA...EODM...Strokes)

love him!!:)

I've sen absolutely hundreds of bands from the 70s to now, and Nirvana were amongst the top ten gigs I've been to. Live, and on form, they were genuinely awesome.

He's boring, and he's not a very good singer.


Actually, he is an excellent vocalist.

What you might mean is that you don't like his voice which I can understand as it is not to everyone's taste.

But to call him 'not a very good singer' is, in my opinion, wrong.

There are numerous excellent vocal performances amongst his many solo albums and through his work with The Smiths.

But as you also deem him boring, I'd be wasting my time listing the many examples....,

Actually, he is an excellent vocalist.

What you might mean is that you don't like his voice which I can understand as it is not to everyone's taste. No that's not what I mean, I mean that with regards to the tone and how accurate he is with pitch, he's pretty average. But also, I don't like his voice too, he sounds weird like he's putting on a funny voice.

But to call him 'not a very good singer' is, in my opinion, wrong.Indeed, in my opinion it is right.

There are numerous excellent vocal performances amongst his many solo albums and through his work with The Smiths.

But as you also deem him boring, I'd be wasting my time listing the many examples....,You're probably right. I've heard enough by this point to know I aint gonna like it.

I would of thought you'd like Morrissy little jimmy...

I would of thought you'd like Morrissy little jimmy...


Just what does this phrase 'I would of thought' actually mean?

have, then.

What a pretentious ******. There's nothing wrong with Morrisey that a good hard slap with a wet fish wouldn't sort out.

He's boring, and he's not a very good singer.

I personally think that his attitude towards others fuels his music. Therefore in appreciating his music, it's had to me to say that I wish he had a different outlook on life, because his perspective fuels his art.

I love getting boozed up wiv me pals and jumpin' around to his tunes at Corp on Fridays. That "First of the gang na na na na na na" one is brilliant! No idea about what voice he puts on. Not bothered cos it's a reight laugh to jump and such

Hate him, always have

I don't get him at all, never have. People have tried to show me his "talent" but to me he sounds like a male Margarita Pracatan.
I can't see what the fans see in his lyrics, even when they are explained.

Well it wouldn't do for us all to be the same I suppose.

At least Margarita allows you to laugh with her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hpkP2mb4SA

I would of thought you'd like Morrissy little jimmy...

People always say he's a great lyricist, and I think one of my problems is that the lyrics of a song are always the last part I listen to, for me music is all about rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic development, so when an average band comes along with supposedly great lyrics they usually pass me by. Besides the few lyrics that my friends have quoted to try and intrigue me seem like pretentious nonsense.

Out of interest why do you keep referring to me as 'little jimmy'? Do we have some sort of paternalistic relationship in your mind?

Seems to be a total Marmite situation.

Is there anyone here who neither loves nor loathes him (people who aren't familiar with his music don't count)?

I love Morrissey but as with most music I listen to he reminds me of only one certain period of my life so I'm unfamiliar with his last 2 albums.

Though I have started listening again, I've been having a bit of a Morrissey evening, it's nice to revisit old musical ground sometimes. It was prompted by a friend of mine talking about The Killers and me sending her the song of his they covered, so I fancied a listen after that.

I used to listen to him at work when I used to drive my fellow students around, I'd sing along sometimes. The Smiths song Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now really summed up one of my nights once with the lyric "why do I have to smile, to people I'd rather kick in the eye" ;) People think he's depressing, I think the opposite. How can you not smile at You're The One For Me, Fatty?

I love Morrissey but as with most music I listen to he reminds me of only one certain period of my life so I'm unfamiliar with his last 2 albums.

Though I have started listening again, I've been having a bit of a Morrissey evening, it's nice to revisit old musical ground sometimes. It was prompted by a friend of mine talking about The Killers and me sending her the song of his they covered, so I fancied a listen after that.

I used to listen to him at work when I used to drive my fellow students around, I'd sing along sometimes. The Smiths song Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now really summed up one of my nights once with the lyric "why do I have to smile, to people I'd rather kick in the eye" ;) People think he's depressing, I think the opposite. How can you not smile at You're The One For Me, Fatty?

I agree. He definitely has a good sense of humour, but often people don't look below the surface so it's not something they ever come to appreciate.

I don't get him at all, never have. People have tried to show me his "talent" but to me he sounds like a male Margarita Pracatan.
I can't see what the fans see in his lyrics, even when they are explained.

Well it wouldn't do for us all to be the same I suppose.

At least Margarita allows you to laugh with her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hpkP2mb4SA

I can't really relate to this, as I think his lyrics are simply stunning. Like you say though, we all have different tatses. Who is your favourite lyricist?

not big intrested in him

Morrissey is head and shoulders above any current or recent musicians in my opinion. Maybe apart from Mark E Smith.

He is also is very intelligent and extremely funny. Some people take him way more serious than he actually takes himself.

He will be a huge influence for many years to come.

On the plus side Morrissey comes across as a very witty and erudite interviewee who came up with the odd lyrical gem and has a distinctive voice, which is a rarity in itself in these "pop idol" times of generic singers all sounding like eveyone else.

On the downside, his music and arrangements have been pretty much the same since he went solo 20 odd years ago - "Plodding pub rock" kind of sums it up best. And as his music hasn't really developed in that time he's lapsed into self parody to the extent that effectively he's become his own tribute act.

However, his contribution to the worst lyric ever competition shouldn't go unrecognised;

"Your boyfriend, he went down on one knee
Well, could it be
He's only got one knee?"

Hate, hate, hate!!! Whiney, wrist slittingly awful teenage angst at it's worst!

On the plus side Morrissey comes across as a very witty and erudite interviewee who came up with the odd lyrical gem and has a distinctive voice, which is a rarity in itself in these "pop idol" times of generic singers all sounding like eveyone else.

On the downside, his music and arrangements have been pretty much the same since he went solo 20 odd years ago - "Plodding pub rock" kind of sums it up best. And as his music hasn't really developed in that time he's lapsed into self parody to the extent that effectively he's become his own tribute act.

However, his contribution to the worst lyric ever competition shouldn't go unrecognised;

"Your boyfriend, he went down on one knee
Well, could it be
He's only got one knee?"

As a Mozza fan you've got a point here Basil.

I certainly don't rush out and buy his albums like I used to (having not even bought his latest release). He misfired totally with Kill Uncle (having Fairground Attraction's Mark E Nevin as co-writer was hardly going to work was it) but hit top form with Vauxhall And I. Since then, it's been a hit and miss affair (You Are The Quarry is promising but fades away with each subsequent track).

However, one thing I'd like to take you to task on is your lyrical quote. In the same song Morrissey sings:

"I tried to suprise yer with Vodka, or Tizer..."

And yes, it came from Kill Uncle, a stinker of an album.

Basilrathbon, I also think you make some good points.

I think Morrissey reached his nadir with the Maladjusted album (plodding pub rock) but came back quite strongly after a seven year break with You Are the Quarry, Ringleader of the Tormentors and Years of Refusal (with Quarry being the weakest) which are decent albums.

Seems to be a total Marmite situation.

Is there anyone here who neither loves nor loathes him (people who aren't familiar with his music don't count)?

Me. I wouldn't say I'm a fan of his, but I don't loathe him either. I'm just indifferent to him.

Hate Hate Hate more than any other singer except maybe Chris De Burgh:gag:


Saying I find him boring is being kind but I cant put what I really think on here!

Music to slit your wrists to. Every song sounds the same and I just don't get what it's about.

Aww dude, you don't get it, his music is some of the *least* depressing you could get. Listen to the lyrics!

Mozzer and The Smiths (in their day) rock! Music needs the maverick lyricists, another being Mark E Smith of the Fall. Personally, I always thought people who don't bother listening to the lyrics might as well just play the instrumental b-side as the songwriter's role IS the lyrics.

Me. I wouldn't say I'm a fan of his, but I don't loathe him either. I'm just indifferent to him.

In the 6 months since posting that I finally 'got' the Smiths thing. I've yet to listen to any of Morrisey's solo stuff though (apart from one time, quite briefly!)

I only have one album of his: 'You Are the Quarry'. and think it's pretty good.

Isn't he playing the City Hall soon?

I only have one album of his: 'You Are the Quarry'. and think it's pretty good.

It is good and so is the follow-up Years of Refusal;)

He's nearly as good as Elvis Costello

i love mozza's old stuff :love:. I have most of the Smiths albums , and own viva hate (best solo album for sure) , and bona Drag is not too bad. I really don't like his recent stuff though.

I had a HUGE , actually scrap that. I still HAVE a huge crush on him :love:

I just would :), shame he is allegedly asexual :(

Some love him, some hate him. What's your view of the pope of mope? :)

he was OK in Boon but i never took to him in men Behaving Badly. And quite frankly his B&Q ads were not his best work.

i love mozza's old stuff :love:. I have most of the Smiths albums , and own viva hate (best solo album for sure) , and bona Drag is not too bad. I really don't like his recent stuff though.

I had a HUGE , actually scrap that. I still HAVE a huge crush on him :love:

I just would :), shame he is allegedly asexual :(

Viva Hate is my fave Mozza album too and I like it more than some of the Smiths' albums.:o

My next favourite would be Vauxhall And I.

And my favourite Smiths album is Strangeways, Here We Come, now a staggering 22 years old!!

Viva Hate is my fave Mozza album too and I like it more than some of the Smiths' albums.:o

My next favourite would be Vauxhall And I.

And my favourite Smiths album is Strangeways, Here We Come, now a staggering 22 years old!!


mine is the critics favourite - the queen is dead. I love every song on the album

Was talking to a 16 year old today at work, and she's sooo excited to be going to see him ( at a gig, not in a nursing home) next week , I was gobsmacked that she had heard of him, but apparantly the 80's bands are back !