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.
Something Is Squeezing My Skull
Morrissey Lyrics
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I can block out the present and the past now
I know by now you think I should have
Straightened myself out - Thank you, drop dead!
Something is squeezing my skull
Something I can barely describe
There is no love in modern life
It's a miracle I even made it this far
The motion of taxis excites me
When you peel it back and bite me
Something is squeezing my skull
Something I can barely describe
There is no hope in modern life
Something is squeezing my skull
Something I can't fight
No true friends in modern life
Diazepam that's valium, Temazepam, Lithium, HRT, ECT
How long must I stay on this stuff?
Don't give me anymore
Don't give me anymore
Don't give me anymore
Please don't give me anymore
Don't give anymore
Don't give anymore
You swore you would not give anymore
Don't give anymore, don't give anymore...
You swore, you swore, you swore
You swore you would not give anymore
Give anymore, give anymore, give anymore...
Morrissey's "Something is Squeezing My Skull" is a song conveying the struggle of mental illness and the weight it can bear on one's life. The first verse showcases the singer's resilience while dealing with his personal demons, as he is able to block out the present and past. Despite this accomplishment, he berates those who think he should have straightened himself out. The chorus is a repetitive mantra of "Something is squeezing my skull, something I can barely describe. There is no love in modern life." The lyrics paint a picture of someone plagued by a psychological affliction that they can't quite put into words but is palpable enough to hinder their capacity to find love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm doing very well
I'm barely holding on.
I can block out the present and the past now
I'm using avoidance to deal with my pain.
I know by now you think I should have Straightened myself out - Thank you, drop dead!
I don't need your advice and I don't care what you think.
Something is squeezing my skull
I feel like my head is going to explode.
Something I can barely describe
I can't explain the depth of my despair.
There is no love in modern life
I feel isolated and disconnected from society.
It's a miracle I even made it this far
I'm surprised I haven't given up already.
The motion of taxis excites me / When you peel it back and bite me
I find pleasure in dangerous situations or self-destructive behavior.
There is no hope in modern life
I see no future for myself or society as a whole.
Something I can't fight
I'm overwhelmed and unable to cope.
No true friends in modern life
I feel like I have no one to turn to or confide in.
Diazepam that's valium, Temazepam, Lithium, HRT, ECT
I'm trying every medication and treatment available to numb or fix my pain.
How long must I stay on this stuff?
I'm desperate for relief and willing to do anything to get it.
Don't give me anymore / You swore you would not give anymore
I don't want any more medication or empty promises from doctors.
Give anymore, give anymore, give anymore...
I've lost faith in the medical system and in humanity as a whole.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAIN GORDON WHYTE, STEVEN MORRISSEY, STEVEN PATRICK MORRISSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind