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.
Best Friend On The Payroll
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I turn the music down; and I don't know why, this is my house
The best friend on the payroll
No, no, no, it's not gonna work out
It's not gonna work out
No, no, no, no
The best friend on the payroll
Oh, no, no, no, it's not gonna work out
More breakfast in bed, and I'll bring the paper in later
The best friend on the payroll
Oh, no, no, no, it's not gonna work out
It's not gonna work out
No, no, no, no
The best friend on the payroll
Oh, no, no, no, it's not gonna work out
It's not gonna work out
More breakfast in bed, and I'll bring the paper in later
The best friend on the payroll
No, no, no, it's not gonna work out
It's not gonna work out
No, no, no, no
The best friend on the payroll
No, no, no, no, it's not gonna work out
It's not gonna work out
In "Best Friend On The Payroll," Morrissey sings about a situation in which he feels unable to fully express himself within his own home. He repeatedly turns down the music and questions why he feels the need to do so, considering it is his own house. The central theme of the song revolves around the idea of Morrissey's best friend being on his payroll, which creates a power dynamic between them that ultimately leads to a sense of discomfort for Morrissey. This is evident in the repeated refrain, "The best friend on the payroll / No, no, no, it's not gonna work out / It's not gonna work out."
The lyrics of the song suggest that Morrissey feels constricted and uncomfortable in his own home due to the presence of his best friend on his payroll. The fact that his friend is on his payroll creates a power dynamic between them that makes Morrissey feel as though he must constantly be in his friend's good graces. This is evidenced by the lines, "More breakfast in bed, and I'll bring the paper in later," which suggest a desire to keep the friendship on good terms. Ultimately, however, Morrissey acknowledges that the situation is not sustainable, and that the power dynamic between them is creating a sense of discomfort that is not going to be resolved anytime soon.
Line by Line Meaning
I turn the music down; and I don't know why, this is my house
I am in my own house but for some reason, I am turning down the music, even though I have no reason to do so.
The best friend on the payroll
My friend works for me and is on my payroll, meaning I pay them.
No, no, no, it's not gonna work out
I don't think this arrangement of having my friend on my payroll is going to work out.
It's not gonna work out
I am certain that this arrangement is not going to work out in the end.
More breakfast in bed, and I'll bring the paper in later
I want to be pampered more, like being served breakfast in bed, and I'll also ask my friend to bring me the newspaper later.
No, no, no, no
I am very sure that the situation with my friend on the payroll is not going to end well.
Oh, no, no, no, it's not gonna work out
I am becoming even more certain and determined that having my friend on my payroll is not going to work out.
It's not gonna work out
I am restating that the situation with my friend on the payroll is not going to work out, and it is final.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MORRISSEY, WHYTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind