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.
I Know Very Well How I Got My Name
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A man with sullen ways
Oh, I know very well how I got my name
You think you were my first love
You think you were my first love, but you're wrong
You were the only one
Who's come and gone
When thirteen years old
Who dyed his hair gold ?
Oh, I know very well, I don't need to be told
You think you were my first love
You think you were my first love, but you're wrong
You were the only one
Who's come and gone
You were the only one
Who's come and gone
The lyrics to Morrissey's "I Know Very Well How I Got My Note Wrong" speak to the experience of growing up and experiencing different stages of life, each one marked by a significant event or person. The first stanza describes a child in a curious phase, perhaps trying to make sense of the world around them, and a man with sullen ways, suggesting a sense of weariness or disillusionment with life. The second stanza asks who dyed their hair gold at thirteen years old, which could symbolize a moment of rebellion or self-expression. Throughout the song, the refrain of "You think you were my first love, but you're wrong" suggests a sense of disillusionment with romantic relationships and the way they shape one's identity.
Interestingly, Morrissey has never officially released a studio version of this song, leading to its rarity and cult status among fans. It was first played live in 1992, during his tour to promote the album "Your Arsenal." The song features heavily on bootlegs of Morrissey's live performances, and a version of the song was included on a live album released in 2005 called "Live At Earls Court."
Line by Line Meaning
A child in a curious phase
I was once a curious child exploring my environment
A man with sullen ways
Now I'm a man with a solemn demeanor
Oh, I know very well how I got my name
I understand the origin and significance of my given name
You think you were my first love
You mistakenly believe that you were my first romantic love
You think you were my first love, but you're wrong
You are incorrect in your assumption that you were my first love interest
You were the only one
You were the sole person I had a romantic relationship with
Who's come and gone
Who is no longer present in my life
When thirteen years old
At the age of thirteen
Who dyed his hair gold ?
Who, at that time, colored their hair with a golden hue?
Oh, I know very well, I don't need to be told
I am aware of and familiar with what was happening during that time and don't require further explanation
You were the only one
You were the sole person I had a romantic relationship with
Who's come and gone
Who is no longer present in my life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, STEPHEN STREET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind