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.
At Last I Am Born
Morrissey Lyrics
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Historians note
I am finally born
I once used to chase affection withdrawn
But now I just sit back and yawn
Because I am born, born, born
Look at me now
From difficult child to spectral hand to Claude Brasseur-oh-blah blah blah
Vulgarians know
I am finally born
I once thought that time accentuates despair
But now I don't actually care
Because I am born, born, born
Look at me now
From difficult child to spectral hand to Claude Brasseur-oh-blah blah blah
At last I am born
At last I am born
Leaving the one true free life born
I once thought I had numerous reasons to cry
And I did, but I don't anymore
Because I am born, born, born
At last I am born
At last I am born
It took me a long, long time
But now I am born
I once was a mess of guilt because of the flesh
It's remarkable what you can learn
Once you are born, born, born
Born, born, born
Born, born, born
"At Last I Am Born" by Morrissey celebrates a new beginning, a second chance at life. The chorus repeats the phrase "born, born, born" as if to emphasize that the singer has finally come alive. Throughout the song, the singer reflects on their past struggles, but reveals that they have now reached a place of contentment and freedom.
The first verse references the singer's history, as if marking the beginning of their existence as if they have just been "born" in this moment. They have experienced a longing for affection that they've now conquered to the point of boredom. The second verse references the singer's current state — their newfound peace, and how they no longer feel even his old feelings of despair. The third verse is a testament to their growth and the journey they have taken in order to reach this point. They no longer experience feelings of guilt that plagued them before, and have taken valuable lessons from the journey.
The overall message of the song is that while life can be difficult, with each moment of hardship and confusion, we eventually grow and find a way to overcome. The song also emphasizes the differences between past and present, and how by embracing our struggles, we can learn and grow.
Line by Line Meaning
At last I am born
Finally, I have found my true self.
Historians note
People who study my past recognize the transformation I have undergone.
I am finally born
I have been reborn into a new and better version of myself.
I once used to chase affection withdrawn
I used to constantly seek love and attention from others, but it was never enough.
But now I just sit back and yawn
Now that I have found inner peace, I am content and relaxed.
Because I am born, born, born
Being reborn has had a profound impact on my life.
Look at me now
See the transformation that has taken place in my life.
From difficult child to spectral hand to Claude Brasseur-oh-blah blah blah
My journey to self-discovery has been long and complicated, filled with unexpected twists and turns.
Vulgarians know
Those who lack sophistication and good taste understand my past struggles.
I once thought that time accentuates despair
I used to believe that things only got worse with time, leading to more pain and heartache.
But now I don't actually care
Now that I have found peace, I am no longer worried about the future.
Leaving the one true free life born
I am now living a life that is truly free and authentic.
I once thought I had numerous reasons to cry
I used to be consumed by sadness and grief, always finding new reasons to cry.
And I did, but I don't anymore
Now that I have been reborn, I am no longer weighed down by sadness and tears.
It took me a long, long time
Finding my true self was a difficult and lengthy journey.
Born, born, born
Being reborn has given me a new appreciation for life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL FARRELL, STEVEN MORRISSEY, STEVEN PATRICK MORRISSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind