The pleasure, the privilege, is mine

A couple of years ago I wrote about why Morrissey fans feel misrepresented. Well, nothing changes, this continues to be the case in the press, and I mostly try to ignore their nonsense. But regarding the recent lies suggesting that fans would like to see Morrissey ‘replaced’ by Rick Astley, I’ll start by stating the obvious.

The Smiths without Morrissey is The Smiths with no lyrics. Someone else might be able to take Morrissey’s lyrics and sing them, even sing them well, just as someone might give an excellent recital of another writer’s poetry. But that poetry will always be the creation of the poet, and as such, the credit for said poetry will always belong to that poet. There is simply no escaping this.

What a very special gift then to find ourselves alive at the same time as such a great writer, and to have the precious opportunity to hear him sing his own words, to be in his presence, and witness at first hand his emotion, his familiar singing voice. And what a privilege to have the opportunity to express our appreciation in person, as he shakes our hands, and accepts our gifts and letters, and even accepts hugs from those who clamber onto the stage for the opportunity to connect for a moment with an artist they so much admire and identify with.

There’ll be no such clambering when Rick Astley takes to the stage to sing the songs of The Smiths next month. Because he’s not Morrissey. Because he didn’t write those words. I’m sure it will be fun, it might sound great, and that’s all well and good. But to suggest that Morrissey could simply be replaced by what is essentially a tribute act simply fails to recognise the status Morrissey has as an artist, or appreciate the magnitude of what he has produced and achieved in his lifetime. It betrays a shallowness that is infinitely more deserving of any scorn such people attempt to throw at Morrissey.

Morrissey’s words have enriched so many lives over the past three decades, continuing to attract new, young listeners who discover, appreciate and identify with his unique art, along with those who have grown up with his songs as the backdrop to their lives. Morrissey fans know and appreciate his worth, so while the press rattle on with their repeated attempts to ridicule, we’ll just keep our eyes on Morrissey, with his new management, his newly recorded album awaiting release, and his new and returning band members, and await with bated breath any new announcement of upcoming shows that present such a special opportunity to see the man himself; the one and only Morrissey.