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.
Lucky Lisp
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When your talent becomes apparent
I will roar from the stalls
I will gurgle from the circle
The saints smile shyly
Down on you
Oh, they couldn't get over
Your nine-leaf clover
Oh, lucky lisp was not wasted on you
Lucky lisp wasn't wasted on you
When your name's with the best
Will my name be on your guest list?
And I will roar from the stalls
Ooh, the balcony fool was me, you fool
Jesus made this all for you, love (you, love)
He couldn't get over
Your Grandma's omen
Oh, lucky lisp was not wasted on you
Lucky lisp wasn't wasted on you
Da-da-da...
The lyrics of Morrissey's "Lucky Lisp" imply a sense of admiration towards someone who possesses an exceptional talent or gift. Upon witnessing this individual's talent, the singer promises to cheer them on from the audience and watch as they flourish. The saints are described as looking down and admiring the gifted individual, as they have been blessed with a rare nine-leaf clover. The lucky lisp is a metaphor for a unique quality or talent that differentiates this individual from the rest. The singer concludes by expressing their wish to be included in the success of the talented individual.
There is a sense of envy and longing in the singer's words as they watch this talented person rise to fame. The mention of the singer's name being on the guest list suggests a desire to be associated with the talented individual's success. The lyrics also suggest that this individual's talent has been divinely appointed, with Jesus creating this opportunity for them. Furthermore, the hint at the individual's grandma's omen refers to a magical quality that has been passed down through the generations, further emphasizing the uniqueness of their talent.
Line by Line Meaning
When your gift unfurls
When your hidden talent comes to light
When your talent becomes apparent
When people start to notice your ability
I will roar from the stalls
I will cheer for you loudly
I will gurgle from the circle
I will cheer for you passionately
The saints smile shyly
Those whom you admire smile bashfully
Down on you
Upon you
Oh, they couldn't get over
They simply couldn't believe it
Your nine-leaf clover
Your incredible luck
Oh, lucky lisp was not wasted on you
Your speech impediment was not wasted since you have amazing talent
Lucky lisp wasn't wasted on you
Your speech impediment was a blessing in disguise
When your name's with the best
When you are among the best
Will my name be on your guest list?
Will I be invited to celebrate your success with you?
Ooh, the balcony fool was me, you fool
I was the foolish one sitting in the balcony
Jesus made this all for you, love (you, love)
God intended all of this for you, my love
He couldn't get over
He was amazed
Your Grandma's omen
Your grandmother's prediction
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, STEPHEN BRIAN STREET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind