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.
Suedehead
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And why, why do you hang around?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you telephone?
And why send me silly notes?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you come?
You had to sneak into my room
Just to read my diary
"It was just to see, just to see"
All the things you knew I'd written about you
Oh, so many illustrations
Oh, but I'm so very sickened
Oh, I am so sickened now
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh, it was a good lay
It was a good lay
Oh, what a good lay
It was a good lay
Good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
It was a good lay
It was a good lay
The lyrics of Morrissey's song "Suedehead" describe a relationship that has gone wrong. The singer is questioning why the other person keeps coming back when they know it's causing problems for him. He apologizes and then asks why they phone and send silly notes. The singer then accuses the other person of sneaking into his room and reading his diary, causing him to feel sickened. However, the song ends on a somewhat positive note with the repeated phrase "it was a good lay", suggesting that despite the problems, there were some enjoyable moments in the relationship.
Overall, the song is about the complications of relationships and how they can cause pain and discomfort, but also bring moments of pleasure. There is a sense of frustration and annoyance as the singer questions the other person's motives and actions. However, there is also a sense of honesty and vulnerability as the singer admits to feeling sickened and apologizes for the negative impact the relationship is having.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do you come here?
Morrissey is questioning the reason for the other person's presence in his life.
And why, why do you hang around?
He is also questioning why the other person continues to stick around, despite knowing it causes issues for Morrissey.
I'm so sorry
Morrissey expresses empathy and sadness.
When you know it makes things hard for me?
He highlights that the other person knows that their actions negatively impact him.
Why do you telephone?
Morrissey is frustrated with the other person's communication.
And why send me silly notes?
He questions the purpose behind the other person's messages.
You had to sneak into my room
Morrissey is accusing the person of invading his privacy.
Just to read my diary
The other person went as far as reading his personal diary.
"It was just to see, just to see"
The person excuses their behavior.
All the things you knew I'd written about you
Morrissey wrote about the person in his diary, and they knew about it.
Oh, so many illustrations
There were many drawings and descriptions of the person in his diary.
Oh, but I'm so very sickened
He expresses disgust and revulsion with how the other person has acted.
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
Morrissey recalls a sexual encounter with the person.
Oh-oh
A vocalization expressing emotion and nostalgia.
It was a good lay
He reminisces about the physical aspect of their relationship.
Good lay, good lay
He emphasizes how enjoyable the experience was.
Oh-oh, oh-oh
A continuation of the vocalization expressing emotion and nostalgia.
Oh, what a good lay
Morrissey looks back on the memory with fondness.
It was a good lay
He repeats the sentiment, showing the significance of the encounter in his mind.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Street, Steven Morrissey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lukfoll
Why do you come here?
And why, why do you hang around?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you come?
Why do you telephone?
And why send me silly notes?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you come?
You had to sneak into my room
Just to read my diary
"It was just to see, just to see"
All the things you knew I'd written about you
Oh, so many illustrations
Oh, but I'm so very sickened
Oh, I am so sickened now
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh, it was a good lay
It was a good lay
Oh, a good lay
It was a good lay
Good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
It was a good lay
It was a good lay
@miloaiolos2173
LYRICS
Why do you come here?
And why, why do you hang around?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you come?
Why do you telephone?
And why send me silly notes?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you come?
You had to sneak into my room
Just to read my diary
"It was just to see, just to see"
All the things you knew I'd written about you
Oh, so many illustrations
Oh, but I'm so very sickened
Oh, I am so sickened now
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh, it was a good lay
It was a good lay
Oh, a good lay
It was a good lay
Good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
It was a good lay
It was a good lay
@celliyork
Whos listening to this in 2024?
@lubelar410
Well you obviously ..dahh
@jennydunn9014
Me 😉
@Wimmles_Emily
Meeeeee
@mayralavadenz1720
Us old school peeps
@gfr588
Saludos desde México!!! I love this song!!
@punkergdl
1988 - this song is awesome!💥
2023 - this song still awesome!💥
@iasca7358
2023 - this song rapes!
@jillschaefer1360
💯
@Dat-yi4iz
Sign of a genius