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.
Girl Least Likely To
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Recycled papers paving the ground
Well, she lives for the written word
And people come second, or possibly third
And there is no style, but I say "well done"
To the girl least likely to
Oh, deep in my heart, how I wish I was wrong
And there's enough gloom in her world, I'm certain
Without my contribution
So I sit, and I smile, and I say "well done"
To the girl least likely to
Page after page of sniping rage
An English singe or an American tinge
"There's a publisher," she said, "...in the new year"
(It's never in this year)
I do think this, but I can't admit it
To the girl least likely to
So one more song with no technique
One more song which seems all wrong...
And oh, the news is bad again
See me as I am again
And the scales of justice sway one way
In the rooms of those least likely to
Oh, deep in my heart, how I want to be wrong
But the moods and the styles too frequently change
From twenty one to twenty five, from twenty five to twenty nine
And I sit, and I smile, and I say "well done"
To the girl least likely to
Oh, one more song about The Queen
Or standing around the shops with thieves
"But somebody's got to make it!" she screams
"So why why can't it be me?"
But she would die if we heard her sing from the heart
Which is hurt
So how many times will I shed a tear?
And another stage of verse to cheer
When you shine in the public eye, my dear
Please remember these nights
When I sit and support with a dutiful smile
Because there's nothing I can say
So chucking, churning, and turning the knife
On everything (except their own life)
And a clock somewhere strikes midnight
And an explanation - it drains me
If only there could be a way
There is a different mood all over the world
A different youth, unfamiliar views
And dearest, it could all be for you
So will you come down and I'll meet you?
And with no more poems, with nothing to hear
Oh darling, it's all for you...
Darling, it's all for you...
Oh darling, it's all for you...
Oh darling, it's all for you...
In Morrissey's song "Girl Least Likely To", the singer is describing a girl who has a passion for writing. She is completely immersed in the written word, and people come second to her love for writing. Throughout the song, the singer admires her dedication, even though he realizes that there is "no style" to what she does. He wants to support her, but he feels deeply saddened by the gloom that surrounds her world. He often sits and smiles, saying "well done" to the girl least likely to.
The song's lyrics are symbolic, highlighting the struggles of creative people who often have to fight for their passion in a world that is more focused on money and success. The singer's admiration for the girl who has dedicated herself to writing and the written word speaks to Townsend's lyrics that reflect his admiration for the underdog. The consistent message throughout the song highlights that there is always beauty in the world, no matter how odd, strange, or insignificant it may seem – the world needs the girl least likely to succeed.
The song's melancholic melody and lyrics are true to Morrissey's style of music that usually etches out dark lyrics with his signature melodic voice. Morrissey, during the time of the song's release, was known for his clever lyrics and crooning voice, that spoke to themes of the human experience that were often seen as uncomfortable or distressing.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times have I been around?
How frequently have I witnessed this situation?
Recycled papers paving the ground
Discarded papers all over the floor.
Well, she lives for the written word
She values writing more than any person.
And people come second, or possibly third
People are not a priority.
And there is no style, but I say 'well done'
Despite lack of uniqueness, I admire her.
To the girl least likely to
To the girl who seems unlikely to succeed.
Oh, deep in my heart, how I wish I was wrong
I hope I'm mistaken, but I know I'm not.
And there's enough gloom in her world, I'm certain
She already has a lot of sadness.
Without my contribution
I don't want to add to her sadness.
Page after page of sniping rage
Writing filled with anger and criticism.
An English singe or an American tinge
A hint of English or American influence.
"There's a publisher," she said, "...in the new year"
She hopes to get published next year.
(It's never in this year)
It's always next year.
I do think this, but I can't admit it
I agree, but I can't say it out loud.
To the girl least likely to
To the girl who seems unlikely to succeed.
So one more song with no technique
Another poorly crafted song.
One more song which seems all wrong...
Another lackluster song.
And oh, the news is bad again
The latest news is negative.
See me as I am again
I am unchanged.
And the scales of justice sway one way
Justice always favors a certain group.
In the rooms of those least likely to
Among people who aren't expected to succeed.
Oh, deep in my heart, how I want to be wrong
I wish I'm incorrect.
But the moods and the styles too frequently change
Trends constantly shift.
From twenty one to twenty five, from twenty five to twenty nine
From young adulthood to late twenties.
Oh, one more song about The Queen
Another song about The Queen.
Or standing around the shops with thieves
Loitering near shops with petty criminals.
"But somebody's got to make it!" she screams
She shouts that someone has to succeed.
"So why why can't it be me?"
"Why can't I be the one who succeeds?"
But she would die if we heard her sing from the heart
She is scared to show her true feelings in her music.
Which is hurt
Because her heart has been broken.
So how many times will I shed a tear?
How many more times will I cry?
And another stage of verse to cheer
And another mediocre performance to applaud.
When you shine in the public eye, my dear
If you become famous.
Please remember these nights
Remember these times when you weren't successful.
When I sit and support with a dutiful smile
When I offer support despite feeling powerless.
Because there's nothing I can say
I can't offer any solutions.
So chucking, churning, and turning the knife
Continuing to criticize and hurt others.
On everything (except their own life)
Being negative towards everything except one's own life.
And a clock somewhere strikes midnight
Another day is over.
And an explanation - it drains me
Trying to explain is frustrating.
If only there could be a way
If there was a solution.
There is a different mood all over the world
The world is changing.
A different youth, unfamiliar views
A younger generation with new ideas.
And dearest, it could all be for you
You could be successful in this new world.
So will you come down and I'll meet you?
Will you take up this opportunity?
And with no more poems, with nothing to hear
No more writing or singing to listen to.
Oh darling, it's all for you...
It's all in your hands.
Darling, it's all for you...
The power to succeed lies with you.
Oh darling, it's all for you...
Believe in yourself.
Oh darling, it's all for you...
You can achieve anything.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDY ROURKE, STEVEN MORRISSEY, STEVEN PATRICK MORRISSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Inika Inika
How many times have I been around?
Recycled papers paving the ground
Well, she lives for the written word
And people come second, or possibly third
And there is no style, but I say "well done"
To the girl least likely to
Oh, deep in my heart, how I wish I was wrong
But deep in my heart, I know I am not
And there's enough gloom in her world, I'm certain
Without my contribution
So I sit, and I smile, and I say "well done"
To the girl least likely to
Page after page of sniping rage
An English singe or an American tinge
"There's a publisher," she said, "...in the new year"
(It's never in this year)
I do think this, but I can't admit it
To the girl least likely to
So one more song with no technique
One more song which seems all wrong...
And oh, the news is bad again
See me as I am again
And the scales of justice sway one way
In the rooms of those least likely to
Oh, deep in my heart, how I want to be wrong
But the moods and the styles too frequently change
From twenty one to twenty five, from twenty five to twenty nine
And I sit, and I smile, and I say "well done"
To the girl least likely to
Oh, one more song about The Queen
Or standing around the shops with thieves
"But somebody's got to make it!" she screams
"So why why can't it be me?"
But she would die if we heard her sing from the heart
Which is hurt
So how many times will I shed a tear?
And another stage of verse to cheer
When you shine in the public eye, my dear
Please remember these nights
When I sit and support with a dutiful smile
Because there's nothing I can say
So chucking, churning, and turning the knife
On everything (except their own life)
And a clock somewhere strikes midnight
And an explanation - it drains me
If only there could be a way
There is a different mood all over the world
A different youth, unfamiliar views
And dearest, it could all be for you
So will you come down and I'll meet you?
And with no more poems, with nothing to hear
Oh darling, it's all for you...
Darling, it's all for you...
Oh darling, it's all for you...
Oh darling, it's all for you..
Arthur Diniz
Morrissey's best song. The lyrics, the melody, everything, it's perfect!
Derek Bistricky
In all honesty, this is Morrisey's most creative and thus best song since The Smiths ..... and clearly the first Grunge-themed song of our days. It is brilliant. And in my opinion, a classic because it simply started a new music-genre (without him knowing it did) :D
Admiral Walker
It's a phenomenal tune, though it's pretty much a cover from a tune by The Cookies. The melody at least.
Jameson Jaksch
Serial Killa in all honesty, I’d say Vauxhall era is his most creative and original.
Christopher Clam Party
Im a huge MORRISSEY fan and also love this track BUT I'm affraid he's right...Almost identical musically to rhe cookies 1950s track. Darn it Morrissey!
mn ly
Marvelous sound and vocals as usual. I remember it pretty well when it came out in England and in France.
i was among the first ones to run to the record shop and purchase one of those. 30 years have Gone by since then quite Amazing
Sasha Kovac
I love this song!
Josh J
listen to this at least once a week for about 5 years
Guilherme Bezerra
I love this song. And I love to play it on the guitar. One of the best in Morrissey.
BazWildeClub
The tune is based on The Cookies' 'Only To Other People'. Both great tracks, and I do like the way Mozzer sends himself up in the lyrics of this song! :)