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.
The Operation
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And caress with your left hand
Everyone I know is sick to death of you
With a tear that's a mile wide
In the kite that you're flying
Everyone I know is sick to death of you
Ever since
You're just not the same, no way
You say clever things and
You never used to
You don't catch what I'm saying
When you're deafened to advice
Everyone here is sick to the
Back teeth of you
With a tear that's a mile wide
In the kite that you're flying
Everyone here is sick to the
Tattoo of you
Ever since
You don't look the same
You're just not the same, no way
You say pleasant things and
There is no need to
Still, you fight with your right hand
And caress with your left hand
Ooh, ooh...
Sad to say...
How once I was in love with you
Sad to say...
You don't catch what I'm saying
When you're deafened to advice
Ooh, ooh...
Ever since
You don't look the same
You're just not the same, no way
What the hell have
They stuck into you?
The lyrics to Morrissey's song "The Operation" tell the story of a relationship that has gone sour. The singer is addressing the person he once loved who has changed so much that everyone around him is "sick to death" of them. He acknowledges that they are still fighting with their right hand and caressing with their left, but the changes in them are too much to ignore. They are not the same person they once were, and they don't seem to understand the messages that are being conveyed to them.
The line "with a tear that's a mile wide in the kite that you're flying" is particularly evocative. It seems to suggest that the person is putting on a happy face, but underneath, they are deeply troubled. The reference to the kite also relates to the idea of being controlled from above, as if the person is not in control of their own life.
The final line of the song, "What the hell have they stuck into you?" is particularly striking. It suggests that the changes in the person are not just a result of natural growth or development, but rather something has been done to them against their will. It's open to interpretation what exactly this might mean in the context of the song, but it leaves a haunting impression.
Line by Line Meaning
You fight with your right hand
You always attack and confront others with force and aggression.
And caress with your left hand
You also manipulate and deceive people in a subtle, gentle way.
Everyone I know is sick to death of you
Everyone who knows you is extremely tired, annoyed, and angry with your behavior and personality.
With a tear that's a mile wide
You are very emotional and vulnerable, and your sadness is very obvious.
In the kite that you're flying
You are chasing your dreams and aspirations, but they are not realistic or achievable.
Ever since
Since a specific point in the past, things have changed dramatically.
You don't look the same
You have transformed physically or emotionally, and you are not recognizable anymore.
You say clever things and
You try to impress others with your intelligence and wit.
You never used to
In the past, you were not this pretentious or arrogant.
You don't catch what I'm saying
You don't understand or agree with my point of view.
When you're deafened to advice
You are not receptive or open-minded to other people's opinions or recommendations.
Everyone here is sick to the
People around you are fed up and disgusted with your presence.
Back teeth of you
They are extremely annoyed and angry with you.
Ever since
Since a specific point in the past, things have changed dramatically.
You don't look the same
You have transformed physically or emotionally, and you are not recognizable anymore.
You say pleasant things and
You try to be friendly and polite to others.
There is no need to
You don't have to pretend or force yourself to be nice.
Still, you fight with your right hand
Despite everything, you still use violence and aggression to solve problems and impose your will.
And caress with your left hand
Although you act nicely, you are still manipulative and cunning.
Ooh, ooh...
A vocal expression of surprise, doubt, or skepticism.
Sad to say...
Unfortunately, the reality is different from what I wish or hope.
How once I was in love with you
I used to have feelings of affection, connection, or attraction towards you.
You don't catch what I'm saying
You don't understand or empathize with my emotions or thoughts.
When you're deafened to advice
You refuse to consider or accept any suggestions or criticisms from others.
Ever since
Since a specific point in the past, things have changed dramatically.
You don't look the same
You have transformed physically or emotionally, and you are not recognizable anymore.
You're just not the same, no way
You have become a very different person and it's hard to believe or accept.
What the hell have
An expression of disbelief, anger, or frustration.
They stuck into you?
What kind of influence or change has affected you so badly or dramatically?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MORRISSEY, WHYTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind