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.
Late Night
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Winter push on
(push on)
Oh, winter push on
Winter is so long
Winter moves on
Goodbye house, goodbye stairs
I was born here
And I was raised here, and
...I took some stick here
Love at first sight
It may sound trite
But it's true, you know
I could list the detail
Of everything you ever wore or said
Or how you stood the day
As we spent the last night
On Maudlin Street
"Goodbye house, forever!"
I never stole a happy hour
Around here
Where the world's ugliest boy
Became what you see
Here I am - the ugliest man
Oh, the last night on Maudlin Street
Truly I do love you
Oh, truly I do love you
When I sleep
With that picture of you framed beside my bed
Oh, it's childish and it's silly
But I think it's you in my room, by the bed
(...yes, I told you it was silly...)
And I know
I took strange pills
But I never meant to hurt you
Oh, truly I love you
Came home late one night
Everyone had gone to bed
But, you know
No-one stays up for you
I had sixteen stitches
All around my head
Oh, the last bus I missed to Maudlin Street
So he drove me home in the Van
Complaining, "Women only like me for my mind..."
Don't leave your torch behind
A powercut ahead; 1972, you know
And so we crept through the park
No, I cannot steal a pair of jeans off a clothesline
For you
But you...without clothes
Oh, I could not keep a straight face
Me - without clothes?
Well, a nation turns its back and gags...
I'm packed
I am moving house
A half-life disappears today
With "every hand waves me on"
(secretly wishing me gone)
Well, I will be soon
Ooh, I will be soon
I will be soon
I will be soon
Will be soon, I will be soon
Mmm...I will be soon, I will be soon
There were bad times on Maudlin Street
They took you away in a police car
Inspector - don't you know?
Don't you care?
Don't you know - about love?
Your gran died
And your mother died
On Maudlin Street
In pain, and ashamed
With never time to say
Those special things...oh
I took the key from Maudlin Street
Well, it's only bricks and mortar!
Oh, oh, truly I love you
Oh, wherever you are
Wherever you are
Wherever you are
I hope you're singing now
Oh, I do hope
I hope you're singing now
Oh...
Late Night Maudlin Street is a song by Morrissey that is featured on his debut album, "Viva Hate." It is a melancholic tune that tells the story of a man who is leaving his old home, Maudlin Street, and is reminiscing about his past, including memories of his greatest love. These lyrics are a contrast of the celebration of the beauty of love to the bleak expression of hurting and alienation.
The song’s opening verses describe the coming of winter and how it moves on after a long time. The winter is a representation of the passing of time, and the feeling of loneliness associated with it. The chorus, “The last night on Maudlin Street/Goodbye house, goodbye stairs/I was born here” speaks of the singer's final moments in his old house where he grew up as a child.
The lyric, “Where the world's ugliest boy became what you see here I am - the ugliest man” is an insight into the singer's past when he felt alienated from the world because of his looks. The lyrics portray a strong sense of nostalgia, love, and memories of the past.
Overall, the song is an emotional journey of a person who is leaving the past behind and embracing a new future. The singer’s love story provides a contrast, showing how true love can make the present more beautiful and worth living, even when the past may have been difficult.
Line by Line Meaning
Winter coming
The cold season is fast approaching
Winter push on
Winter season advances with its icy wind
(push on)
Emphasizing the harshness of the winter season
Oh, winter push on
Hopelessly anticipating the long, cold winter
Winter is so long
The loneliness and melancholy mood of the winter season
Winter moves on
Winter season continues despite the feeling of isolation
The last night on Maudlin Street
Emotions arising from a final night on a special street
Goodbye house, goodbye stairs
Bidding farewell to a beloved house and the memories within it
I was born here
Maudlin Street is significant for being the birthplace of the persona
And I was raised here, and
The street played an important part in the development of the persona
...I took some stick here
The persona had faced challenges and difficulties in Maudlin Street
Love at first sight
The profound feeling of adoration upon seeing someone for the first time
It may sound trite
The feeling is often considered cliche
But it's true, you know
The feeling is genuine and sincere
I could list the detail
Every little detail about the person is important to the persona
Of everything you ever wore or said
The persona pays attention to every aspect of the person
Or how you stood the day
Even the simplest things are meaningful to the persona
As we spent the last night
The final moments shared between the persona and the person are precious
On Maudlin Street
The last moments shared between the persona and the person on the street that holds so much meaning
"Goodbye house, forever!"
The house that holds so much sentimental value is now gone forever
I never stole a happy hour
Despite the difficulties faced in Maudlin Street, the persona remained genuine and did not fake happiness
Around here
In this part of town
Where the world's ugliest boy
Referring to himself as a young boy
Became what you see
The persona's identity was formed in the environment of Maudlin Street
Here I am - the ugliest man
Emphasizing how the persona still sees himself as unattractive
Oh, the last night on Maudlin Street
Echoing the earlier line of the same phrase
Truly I do love you
Reaffirming the strong emotions felt for the person
When I sleep
During moments of vulnerability
With that picture of you framed beside my bed
The photo of the person serves as a source of comfort and intimacy
Oh, it's childish and it's silly
Admitting to a feeling that may seem immature or naive
But I think it's you in my room, by the bed
The persona imagines the person in their room, depicting a desire for company
(...yes, I told you it was silly...)
Reiterating the childishness of the fantasy
And I know
Despite the irrational thoughts, the persona is still aware of reality
I took strange pills
The persona may have experimented with drugs or medication
But I never meant to hurt you
The love and respect for the person was never compromised
Came home late one night
Returning to an unfamiliar environment
Everyone had gone to bed
The emptiness in the absence of company
But, you know
Although the persona does not have anyone to confide in...
No-one stays up for you
...it's simply a part of life and nobody else is expected to stay up for the persona
I had sixteen stitches
The persona may have experienced an injury, physically or emotionally
All around my head
Reflecting the severity of the injury
Oh, the last bus I missed to Maudlin Street
The persona misses the last option to return to the street with so much meaning
So he drove me home in the Van
An alternative method of transportation was taken
Complaining, "Women only like me for my mind..."
A comment on the superficiality of attraction
Don't leave your torch behind
A cautionary reminder to capture fleeting moments before they are gone
A powercut ahead; 1972, you know
A reference to a time when power cuts were common
And so we crept through the park
Sneaking through the park for the sake of adventure and excitement
No, I cannot steal a pair of jeans off a clothesline
The persona is aware of boundaries and will not cross them
For you
Despite the effort for the person, the persona knows when to stop
But you...without clothes
Thinking about the person in an intimate scenario
Oh, I could not keep a straight face
The thought brings joy and amusement to the persona
Me - without clothes?
The persona imagining themselves in a vulnerable scenario
Well, a nation turns its back and gags...
Emphasizing the unattractiveness of the persona
I'm packed
Ready to move houses
I am moving house
Making a significant change in life by leaving the house where the persona was born and grew up
A half-life disappears today
A significant part of the persona's life fades away as they move from the familiar Maudlin Street
With "every hand waves me on"
The persona moves on with the support and well wishes of those close to them
(secretly wishing me gone)
Despite the well wishes, others still feel somewhat relieved to see the persona leave
Well, I will be soon
Emphasizing the inevitability of the move
Ooh, I will be soon
Repeating the previous line to demonstrate the decisiveness of the move
I will be soon
The move will happen soon and without hesitation
There were bad times on Maudlin Street
Acknowledging that the street was not always a happy place
They took you away in a police car
The persona may have experienced a traumatic event on Maudlin Street that involved someone else being taken away in a police car
Inspector - don't you know?
The persona is questioning the authority figure in charge of the situation
Don't you care?
The persona is expressing frustration that the person in charge doesn't seem to care
Don't you know - about love?
The persona is emphasizing that the authority figure lacks understanding and sensitivity towards those involved
Your gran died
Another painful memory that occurred on Maudlin Street
And your mother died
Another tragic moment in the persona's past
On Maudlin Street
Both important people in the persona's life passed away while on the same street
In pain, and ashamed
The difficult circumstances the persona's family went through
With never time to say
Not being able to express everything that needed to be said before the loved ones passed away
Those special things...oh
The things that should have been shared with the loved ones who passed away
I took the key from Maudlin Street
Taking a physical reminder of the street and the memories it holds
Well, it's only bricks and mortar!
Despite the strong emotional connection to the street, it is simply a building made of bricks and mortar
Oh, oh, truly I love you
A final affirmation of love for the person
Oh, wherever you are
Thinking about the person, wherever they may be
Wherever you are
Echoing the previous line
Wherever you are
Once again, thinking about the person
I hope you're singing now
Wishing for the person's happiness and contentment
Oh, I do hope
Expressing the depth of emotion and desire for the person's wellbeing
I hope you're singing now
Reiterating the hope for the person's happiness through the metaphor of singing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN BRIAN STREET, STEVEN MORRISSEY, STEVEN PATRICK MORRISSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Minds in Unison
Such a sad yet beautiful song!!!
Max Smith
His voice is just sublime, we all know he's a genius lyricist but i think many people forget to mention how utterly amazing his voice is.
dame soumbi
@Australian Survival Instructors okay and?
Australian Survival Instructors
Stephen Street wrote the music.
bowquin
Loved this song at 17 and love it even more at 40. This is a song that talkes to the heart.
Martyn Smith
This track and this performance encapsulates why Morrissey means so much to me, and dare I venture, so many others. He sings about everyday life and things that touch us, he sings with passion and sincerity. I love this track, the lyrics, the melody, beautiful.............long live Morrissey!
Ken Salisbury
Viva hate is a masterpiece. After all this time. This has to be is best solo album by far. 2018
gavvino1
@Burton Rd Forever 1977 Moz in a elite class as a solo artist...right up there with McCartney
Christopher Lopez
Best solo album? Idk about that. Id say Your Arsenal gives it a run for its money. I would also put Vauxhall and You Are The Quarry up there too.
Burton Rd Forever 1977
Noel Gallagher and his Brother's debut solos don't come anywhere near Viva Hate....