He was the lead singer of The Smiths, one of the most influential alternative bands in the 1980s. The group split up in 1987 and Morrissey started a successful solo career.
His first solo album, Viva Hate was released only six months after The Smiths split, in March 1988. The album's first single "Suedehead" peaked at #5, a higher position than any Smiths single had ever achieved. In 1990, Bona Drag, a collection of his solo singles and b-sides, including popular songs such as "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" and "Everyday is Like Sunday" (which also appears on "Viva Hate")
His second album 1991's Kill Uncle was not as well received as his first, with neither single achieving the Top 20. In 1992, the Mick Ronson-produced Your Arsenal was released and included singles such as "Tomorrow" and "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful". A live album, Beethoven Was Deaf, followed in 1993.
In 1994, Morrissey released Vauxhall and I, which contained "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get", his biggest hit in the United States, where it peaked at #46. Later that year, Morrissey also recorded a one-off project with Siouxsie of Siouxsie and the Banshees: they sang in duet on the single Interlude.
After "Vauxhall and I", Morrissey released Southpaw Grammar (1995) and Maladjusted (1997), both of which failed to produce a UK Top 20 single.
A period of musical inactivity followed in the late 90s and early 2000s, which was due to failure in finding a suitable label, according to a 2004 interview with Jools Holland. After seven years without a new album release, You Are the Quarry was released on May 17, 2004 (but one day later in the USA). The first single, Irish Blood, English Heart, was released internationally on May 10, 2004. The single reached number three in its first week of sales in the UK singles chart. To date, this is the highest placing chart position for Morrissey in his entire career as both a solo artist and the lead singer of The Smiths (the 2006 release You Have Killed Me also debuted at number three in its first week in the charts). It has sold over a million copies, making the album his most successful, solo or with The Smiths.
Ringleader Of The Tormentors, produced by former David Bowie producer Tony Visconti, was released in April 2006. The album went straight to the top of the UK Album charts.
Morrissey released a new Greatest Hits collection in February 2008, including two new songs: All You Need Is Me and That’s How People Grow Up, both released as singles. Morrissey is now signed to Decca Records.
In 2009, Morrissey released his latest album, Years of Refusal, which was produced by Jerry Finn, his final production credit before his death. Later in the year, Morrissey released the B-sides collection Swords.
2009 also saw the re-releases of Maladjusted and Southpaw Grammar, two of his most critically maligned albums. The Maladjusted re-release ditched two of its singles, Papa Jack and Roy's Keen, in favour of several other tracks from the period, such as I Can Have Both. Sorrow Will Come in the End, written about Morrissey's vicious legal battle with Smiths drummer Mike Joyce, was also re-instated to the UK edition. Southpaw Grammar retained all of its original tracks, albeit re-sequenced, but recieved the addition of other tracks from that time period, including the new album closer Nobody Loves Us.
Two other Morrissey releases came in 2009; The HMV/Parlophone Singles '88-'95 and Swords, the former a 3 CD compilation of singles and B-sides from Viva Hate through to Vauxhall and I, the latter a compilation of B-sides from You Are The Quarry, Ringleader of the Tormentors, and Years of Refusal.
A new Very Best Of collection was released in 2011, accompanied by a UK tour.
Morrissey's eleventh solo album, 'Low in High School', was released on November 17th, 2017. ' Low in high School' was produced by Joe Chiccarelli same producer as Morrissey’s ‘World Peace is None of Your Business’.
Morrissey's twelth studio album "California Son" is released on 24 May 2019 on the singer's label étienne and licensed on BMG, the album is a collection of cover versions. It is recorded in 2018 by Joe Chiccarelli, a frequent collaborator of Morrissey.
Morrissey's new studio album, I Am Not A Dog On A Chain, is scheduled for March 2020 release by BMG. The album was recorded in St-remy, France, with producer Joe Chiccarelli.
Angel Angel Down We Go Together
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't take your life tonight
I know they take
And that they take in turn
And they give you nothing real
For yourself in return
But when they've used you
And they've wasted all your money
And cast your shell aside
And when they've bought you
And they've sold you
And they've billed you for the pleasure
And they've made your parents cry
I will be here
Oh, believe me
will be here
...believe me
Angel, don't take your life
Some people have got no pride
They do not understand
The urgency of life
But I love you more than life
I love you more than life
I love you more than life
I love you more than life
Morrissey's song 'Angel Angel Down We Go Together' speaks about the desperations of life and how people can push each other towards ending their lives. The refrain of the song 'Angel, don't take your life tonight' is a plea to someone who is feeling suicidal. The verses of the song describe the ways in which people are used, manipulated, and hurt by others, leaving them with nothing that is truly meaningful. The lyrics suggest that people who are suicidal may feel this way and that the singer understands and empathizes with their difficulties.
The song captures a sense of desperation and urgency, conveying the idea that life is precious and should not be taken lightly. The lyrics suggest that even when someone feels like there is nowhere else to turn, there is always someone who cares and who will be there for them. The song's message is one of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Overall, 'Angel Angel Down We Go Together' is a powerful and moving song that speaks to the struggles of life and the importance of holding on in the face of difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Angel, angel
The singer addresses someone as 'angel' twice to show that he cares for them and wants them to listen to his advice
Don't take your life tonight
The singer pleads with the person not to commit suicide, showing his concern for their life
I know they take
The singer acknowledges that people can be ruthless and selfish, taking from others without giving back
And that they take in turn
The singer notes that people also take advantage of each other in a cycle, one taking from another who then takes from someone else
And they give you nothing real
The singer believes that these people who take from others give them nothing real or valuable in exchange
For yourself in return
The singer emphasizes that the person who is being addressed is not getting anything of value in return for what they give
But when they've used you
The singer points out that these people will use and take advantage of the one being addressed
And they've broken you
The singer notes that the person will be broken and damaged by these people's actions
And they've wasted all your money
The singer highlights that these people will also waste the person's money, leaving them with nothing
And cast your shell aside
The singer uses the metaphor of 'shell' to refer to the person's body or physical form, and notes that these people will discard or ignore them after using them up
And when they've bought you
The singer notes that the person will also be bought and sold, as if they are an object rather than a person
And they've sold you
The singer again emphasizes that these people will sell the person, treating them as property rather than a human being
And they've billed you for the pleasure
The singer highlights that these people will charge the person for any pleasure they may have experienced, further showing how they only care about taking from others
And they've made your parents cry
The singer shows that the person's loved ones will also suffer because of these people's actions, and highlights the emotional toll that their behavior can have on others
I will be here
The singer reassures the person that he will be there for them, showing that he cares and wants to be supportive
Oh, believe me
The singer emphasizes that the person should trust him, and that he is sincere in his words and intentions
I will be here
The singer repeats his assurance that he will be present for the person, underscoring how committed he is to helping and supporting them
...believe me
The singer again encourages the person to trust him and believe that he genuinely cares
Angel, don't take your life
The singer repeats his initial plea for the person not to commit suicide, underscoring how important it is to him
Some people have got no pride
The singer criticizes those who take advantage of others, showing that he thinks their behavior is shameful and lacking in basic dignity
They do not understand
The singer believes these people lack the empathy and insight to understand how their actions can harm others
The urgency of life
The singer notes that life is precious and valuable, and emphasizes the importance of taking it seriously and not wasting it
But I love you more than life
The singer expresses his deep affection and care for the person, showing that his concern for them is genuine and profound
I love you more than life
The singer repeats this sentiment, underscoring how much he cares about the person's well-being
I love you more than life
The singer again repeats his love for the person, emphasizing that his feelings are genuine and unwavering
I love you more than life
The singer repeats this sentiment one last time, leaving no doubt about how important the person is to him
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, STEPHEN BRIAN STREET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind