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Morrissey

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Morrissey, in full Steven Patrick Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist, born in 1959 in Old Trafford, near Manchester, to Irish parents. He grew up in Manchester and loved literature, British social-realist films and the pop of the 1960s. In 1982 he started The Smiths with the guitarist Johnny Marr, for whom he wrote the lyrics and sang.

Music and breakthrough

The debut The Smiths (1984) reached number 2 in England, Meat Is Murder (1985) number 1 and The Queen Is Dead (1986) number 2 again. The single Panic also appeared in 1986, in which Morrissey calls for the DJ to be hanged: a criticism of a radio that said nothing about the lives of his listeners. In July 1987 Marr left, and the band was already over by the time the last album, Strangeways, Here We Come, came out.

Influence

As a solo artist Morrissey began in 1988 with Viva Hate, which reached number 1 in England, with the single Suedehead. Your Arsenal (1992), Vauxhall and I (1994), You Are the Quarry (2004) and Ringleader of the Tormentors (2006) also did well. Morrissey sings with a baritone voice, and his lyrics are about loneliness, longing and resistance to authority, often with black humour and self-mockery. He is regarded as a major influence on indie pop, indie rock and Britpop. At the same time he is controversial because of his statements about immigration and national identity and his support for far-right activism.

Listening

Listening tip. In Panic, listen to Johnny Marr's short, cheerful guitar rhythm, which sounds like a glam rock song. Notice the ending, in which a children's choir keeps repeating the call to hang the DJ.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists