I gave up reading Guardian articles about Morrissey some time ago. But for some reason I did skim read Thursday’s article when it was brought to my attention. Perhaps I was intrigued by the originality of the headline. 
Things are starting to get a little confusing, since I’m sure they’ve published this exact same article before, possibly more than once. Maybe my memory is failing now that I’ve reached 50.
Anyway, as was to be expected, the article was irritating, to say the least, for many reasons. Just another ‘journalist’ with his own personal vendetta, as Morrissey has already pointed out, Tim Jonze sees his opportunity to jump on the current band wagon and attempt to explain his part in the 2007 NME debacle. The Guardian are happy to publish because it contributes nicely to their on-going hate campaign and, well, apparently they just can’t publish enough of the same old story. So we get to read The Guardian’s Version of The History of Morrissey once again, with the same old references, the same old quotes from the same old people, the same old accusations. You’ll never guess, I’m bored now.
But it’s the same old claim that they’re reporting how Morrissey fans are feeling, that really puzzles me. There is not one quote from an actual Morrissey fan, which seems odd given that the article purports to speak for them.
“Defenders are increasingly hard to come by.” claims Jonze. It seems anyone wishing to comment is hard to come by, since he has mostly only been able to repeat some previously used quotes from a select sample of people. Perhaps I should help him out a little. I seem to be better connected than him.
I do accept that there are some Morrissey fans who have given up on him; they’re making enough noise about it on social media. But I’ve written about them before, and I don’t work for The Guardian, so I’ll avoid being repetitive and move on.
Instead, let’s hear from those fans who are not busy beating their chests and burning their record collections as we are led to believe everyone is doing. The Guardian and others have been announcing the end of Morrissey’s career for decades. Again, this is nothing new. And yet Morrissey continues to play to sold out venues around the world, online fan groups continue to grow, and at the time of writing his new album, California Son, is number 4 in the UK album charts and number 1 in the UK vinyl album charts. Now, I don’t think all these fans support For Britain. So what makes them stay on board? I asked, and received a barrage of responses.
Firstly there’s the obvious answer – Morrissey is much loved by his fans. Their level of adoration is unparalleled. The part he has played, and continues to play in their lives, for some over many years, cannot be overestimated.
Patrizia Formicola from Italy writes: “I am here to ask myself why I love Morrissey and I realize that it is as if I asked myself why I live and why I am the sensitive and whole person I am today. Morrissey was my teacher of sensitivity and strength, integrity and understanding … how could I abandon him now, in these times when censorship is rampant and non-thinking reigns?”
UK fan Jeanie Elford writes: “I have held Morrissey very close to my heart for 36 years. No character assassination or smear campaign has ever made a blind bit of difference to how I feel about him and it never will.”
US fan Giselle writes: “He’s been my favorite singer since 1993, and I’m not going anywhere. And his actions show what a loving and kind person he is!!”
But is love blind? I think not. Dedicated fans read Morrissey interviews avidly, are well aware of any political views he has expressed, and are quite capable of making up their own minds how they feel about this. It’s just not a deal breaker for them.
UK fan Toni Sutton writes, “I don’t agree with all Moz (or anyone) says, but so what? I love his music and him. He hasn’t done anything wrong, and compared to most ‘rock and roll stars’ he’s an angel. My record collection remains intact and well played. We are all gonna miss him when he’s gone. Who did The Guardian ask in any case? Not me.”
Umberto Pisu from Italy says, “With his music, but before that with his words, he saved my life! I’m on his side regardless of his political thoughts. This is not why I care about him.”
Whilst Eleanora Becchi, also from Italy, writes, “I might not agree with his political views but I would never ever abandon him. His music and lyrics means so much to me, they made me feel less alone, they stood by me in every difficult moment of my life. All this cannot be forgotten by any political statement whatsoever.”
Meanwhile, a long time UK fan is willing to admit, “I’m truly disappointed in Moz, but does it make me want to abandon him after 36 years? No. He has always been a conflicting character.”
Other fans seem to give Morrissey the status of a family member, one who they might not always agree with, but who they still love, and certainly won’t disown.
US based fan Kristin Collins says “I haven’t turned on my brother for being a Republican, or lifelong friends who voted for Trump. So why would I turn on an artist I love?”
Long time UK fan Angie Cooke writes, “I’m never going to agree with everything Moz says or does, but the same goes for my own family! The point is, he saved my life so I could never walk away! I luff him, and there’s nothing I can do about it!”
And Paula Henderson, also from the UK, reflects, “He’s been in my life longer than any relationship except family and I treasure every cassette tape, records, artwork etc I’ve collected over the years. His clever poetic lyrics have been part of my life all that time accompanying me during daily life and strife and happy moments! I may not always agree with all of his views, but I respect him.”
But it’s not just love for Morrissey, and the ability to allow him to have differing views to their own that emerges. Many fans also express their admiration for what they perceive to be a certain amount of bravery and honesty on Morrissey’s part.
“He stands for truth and is always loyal to his word. A man who stands out from the boring. My love just grows.” writes UK fan Tanya Godward.
Eleanora goes on to say, “I admire the integrity, the fact that he’s true to himself no matter what.”
“I’m not disappointed in him in the slightest! In fact, I’m so proud of all he’s overcome and survived.” adds Giselle.
Patrizia writes, “Morrissey taught me to always express my opinion, even at the cost of heavy criticism and I certainly owe him the fact of going head-on without feeling different, just because I don’t follow the common thought.”
Whilst Kristin adds, “Morrissey is just doing what he’s always done, which is being open and honest about the things he cares about. All the kerfuffle of the past few years only makes me love Morrissey more. I love that he is still true to himself and unafraid to speak out in today’s world where people love hating anyone they can. This to me is admirable and courageous.”
Rebecca White writes from Israel, “From the age of 16, till now at middle age, he has given me wake up calls, made me question questionable things in my life, given me the strength to speak my truth boldly.”
Jeanie goes on to write, “One of the many reasons I love and respect him is for the way he speaks up for his beliefs when so many others in the public eye remain silent, terrified of mass disapproval and condemnation. Morrissey remains indomitable and unbowed and, thus, cherished as ever.”
A notable number of fans also mention their appreciation for all Morrissey does for animal welfare.
Yet the voices and opinions of these fans rarely seem to be reported. Nor, it seems, are those of the people who work or have worked with Morrissey recently. No, we only get quotes from people who don’t actually know him, or met him once or worked with him briefly some 35 years ago. Strange.
Fans seem conscious of this too, with Paula pointing out, “I feel it’s so unfair to judge him on his political views. Without actually speaking to him personally no-one really knows his true thoughts. Ex-fans I notice are putting words and ideas into his mouth, and judging him without knowing his motivations, which in my opinion is wrong.”
Another UK fan, Stuart Kirk, expresses his anger and frustration at having to defend his loyalty to Morrissey, “I’ve nothing that’s not pure anger towards the sheep-like comments and lynch mob of virtue signalling so-called ex-fans. I spent two years being bullied by the Anti-Nazi League when Moz wore a Union Jack badge. This is as stupid.”
Kristin mentions, “Morrissey is not dangerous, is not a criminal, has not hurt anyone or done anything horrendous.”
Photo by Marianne Price
And Matthew Weaver from the US concludes nicely, “In a time when we are free to pursue our chosen media source, I think we need to remember these entities are for profit. We’re overloaded with information being shoved in our faces, and the masses may turn to who is yelling loudest…. anyone who sinks to slander is very hard to be taken seriously.”
I cannot possibly know all Morrissey’s thoughts, and even if I did, agreeing on every point is not a requirement. It’s so easy to judge people, and again, I’ve written before about how quickly people will jump on media manufactured hate wagons. Maybe the many thousands of Morrissey fans, far from being blind, are in fact the more discerning bunch of people.
But what also puzzles me is how Morrissey is always being dragged back to the eighties and told who he was and should still be. We’re constantly being told what he ‘stood for’ back then, who he ‘spoke for’, and that he has ‘betrayed’ or ‘let down’ these people. Let down how? Did he sign some sort of declaration, or make some promise in 1982 that I’m unaware of? Betrayed what? Who? Those who decided what box they wanted to put him in?
I’ll spell it out, the way I see it. Morrissey has only ever ‘stood for’ himself. He has only ever ‘spoken for’ himself. Do not tell him, or anyone else, what he stood for or should stand for. People choose to take from his art what is meaningful to them, and choose to let it speak to them or affect them in a way that is entirely personal. If, in doing so, they have placed Morrissey on a pedestal of their own making, with their own set of beliefs and ideals, then that is their doing and potentially their problem. Not Morrissey’s, and not anyone else’s.
“I’ve always been me, and whatever happens on a record, that’s me, at whatever stage I’m at, in whatever state…I’ve always been inexplicably me, detailing every twist and turn in the sordid events of my life.” – Morrissey
For me, Morrissey will always be the greatest artist, one who has given me so much fuel, inspiration and comfort over the years. I admire and respect him for so many reasons, all of which still exist.
Adventures of a middle-aged Morrissey fan 