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.
Will Never Marry
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a gentle way
Thank you, but no
I will live my life as I
Will undoubtedly die alone
I'm writing this to say
In a gentle way
I will live my life as I, oh
For whether you stay
Or stray
An in-built guilt catches up with you
And as it comes around to your place
At five a.m., wakes you up
And it laughs in your face
Don't speak!
Sing
The lyrics to Morrissey's song Will Never Marry are a reflection of the singer's feelings towards the concept of marriage. The song is divided into two parts, the first part depicting Morrissey's decision to never get married, and the second part discussing the guilt and regret that often comes with straying from one's ideal path in life.
In the first stanza, Morrissey thanks someone for their consideration, but ultimately decides that he will live his life alone and never marry. He does this "in a gentle way," indicating that he does not want to hurt anyone's feelings or cause any conflict. Morrissey's decision to never marry is likely a reflection of his fear of commitment and his desire to have autonomy over his life.
In the second stanza, Morrissey acknowledges the guilt that often comes with straying from one's true path in life. He notes that this guilt is "in-built," meaning that it is a natural consequence of not living up to one's own expectations. The guilt catches up with the individual and can cause them to feel regret and shame.
The song's chorus serves to emphasize Morrissey's decision to never marry and to urge others not to speak about it. Instead, he encourages them to sing, perhaps indicating that expressing oneself through music is a more authentic and effective way of communicating.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm writing this to say
I am expressing myself clearly and articulately
In a gentle way
Without aggression or hostility
Thank you, but no
I appreciate your offer, but I decline it
I will live my life as I
I am determined to live my life according to my own choices
Will undoubtedly die alone
I am aware of my destiny, and it is to die without a partner
For whether you stay
Whether you remain with me or not
Or stray
If you leave me or pursue another path
An in-built guilt catches up with you
Your conscience will not permit you to escape the consequences of your actions
And as it comes around to your place
As the guilt makes its presence known to you
At five a.m., wakes you up
It disturbs your sleep at the early hours of the morning
And it laughs in your face
It taunts you with the consequences of your decisions
Don't speak!
Do not respond or make excuses
Sing
Accept the guilt and make amends
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN BRIAN STREET, STEVEN MORRISSEY, STEVEN PATRICK MORRISSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind