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.
Sweet And Tender Hooligan
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he said that he'd never, never do it again
And of course he won't (oh, not until the next time)
He was a sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
And he swore that he'll never, never do it again
And of course he won't (oh, not until the next time)
Poor old man
He had an accident with a three-bar fire
Because he wasn't very happy anyway
Poor woman
Strangled in her very own bed as she read
But that's o.k.
Because she was old and she would have died anyway
Don't blame
The sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
Because he'll never, never, never, never, never, never do it again
(not until the next time)
Jury, you've heard every word
So before you decide
Would you look into those Mother-me eyes
I love you for you, my love, you my love
You my love, you my love
Jury, you've heard every word
But before you decide
Would you look into those Mother-me eyes
I love you for you my love, you my love
I love you just for you, my love
Don't blame
The sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
Because he'll never, never do it again
And...
In the midst of life we are in death etc.
Forget the hooligan, hooligan
Because he'll never, never do it again
And...
In the midst of life we are in debt etc.
Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc!
In the midst of life we are in death etc!
Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc!
In the midst of life we are in death etc!
Just...
Just...
Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc!
In the midst of life we are in debt etc!
The lyrics to Morrissey's song "Sweet And Tender Hooligan" tell the story of a man who, despite his violent tendencies, is seen as sweet and tender. He promises never to act out again, but the chorus notes that it's only a matter of time before the next incident. The song takes on a darker tone when the story shifts to two deaths, one of an older man who had an accident with a three-bar fire, and the other of an older woman who was strangled in her bed. Morrissey urges the listener not to blame the hooligan for these deaths, asserting that she was old and would have died soon anyway.
However, the exhortation is left open-ended as Morrissey concludes the song with the phrase "In the midst of life we are in death," pointing towards the unavoidable nature of mortality. The overall tone of the song is one of resigned acceptance of the flaws of humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
He was a sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
He was a mischievous delinquent, but he had a softer, more sensitive side to him.
And he said that he'd never, never do it again
He claimed that he would never engage in that type of behavior again.
And of course he won't (oh, not until the next time)
Despite his promise, he can't help but fall back into his old ways.
Poor old man
This elder individual was in a tragic circumstance.
He had an accident with a three-bar fire
He suffered an injury related to a specific type of heating appliance.
But that's o.k.
Despite the negative outcome, it's deemed acceptable or not a huge loss.
Because he wasn't very happy anyway
The victim's unhappiness is seemingly used as justification for their injury or misfortune.
Poor woman
This female individual was also in a tragic circumstance.
Strangled in her very own bed as she read
She was killed in the act of reading while in her bed.
Because she was old and she would have died anyway
The victim's age and potential for the event to have occurred anyway is used as justification for her death.
Don't blame The sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
The song's narrator is asking for the delinquent to not be held accountable for their actions.
Because he'll never, never, never, never, never, never do it again (not until the next time)
While the individual has been promising to not engage in harmful behavior again, it's implied that they certainly will.
Jury, you've heard every word
The song's narrator is addressing the group of individuals that will decide on the delinquent's fate.
So before you decide Would you look into those Mother-me eyes
The song's narrator is pleading with the jury to consider the individual's sorrowful side before making a decision.
I love you for you, my love, you my love You my love, you my love
The song's narrator is expressing their love for an individual.
Don't blame The sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
The song's narrator is reiterating their stance that the delinquent shouldn't be blamed.
And... In the midst of life we are in death etc.
The song's narrator is expressing a philosophical idea about the nature of life.
Forget the hooligan, hooligan
The song's narrator is seemingly giving up on trying to reform the delinquent individual.
Because he'll never, never do it again
Despite the singer forgetting about the individual, it's still implied that they will continue with their harmful behavior.
And... In the midst of life we are in debt etc.
The song's narrator continues with the aforementioned philosophical idea.
Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc!
A repetition of the previous idea.
Just...
An indication of an impending statement.
Just...
A continuation of the delay in the statement.
Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc! Etc!
Another repetition of the aforementioned philosophical idea.
In the midst of life we are in debt etc!
The final statement of the song's philosophical idea.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steven Morrissey, Johnny Marr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dodomufc
Wagged school and jumped on a train from Manchester to this gig ended up pushing in at the front of the queue....got to the front top gig
@606grain
This was trully a legendary concert. the final time morrissey played with gannon, joyce and rourke and what a final concet it was. as legend has it word leaked of the concert and a mob formed shortly before the show. tickets were scarse causing an almost riot. Ah to be at this concert. one can only dream. the song its self sweet and tender Holligan is remarkable in itself becasue it was rarely played live. this is a rare treat.
@stevoe1000
He was soo oood to his fans and they had the respect to not go too crazy when they got near him onstage......
@Mitcg
When did rushing to stage to give Morrissey a hug stop? I would love to do that once.
@tiana1017
they need better security lol
@howareyoutodaysir
Yeah, very good job indeed. Too bad there is no real live clip of this great song. This is the next best thing, so thanks a great deal, also for the informative sidebar text there. -->
@Reint25
@howareyoutodaysir Well, there must be! I can't believe they filmed Sister I'm A Poet, and then shut all cameras off. But too bad it's still not released. I think they would make good money out of it.
@olivertaplin
Actually atlthogh the bootleg is very poor this is quite good. Gannon is competant