Just who exactly is a Morrissey fan?
A Fan interview with Ray
Hello. I’m Ray, a 35-year-old copywriter. I live in Glasgow in the United Kingdom with my lady-friend, Sofia, and my 1-year-old King Charles Cavalier, Stella. I work as a full-time scribe/ pencil-pusher for the Government (cue: boos) and also co-run a website, http://www.feltenink.com, where I get to interview creative types and things I find interesting. Feel free to follow my ramblings, or not, on @Felten_Ink (Twitter) and Instagram @felten.ink101. I also adore Morrissey alas here I am, self-indulging at the best of times, an imposed national lockdown.
Why are you a loyal fan of Morrissey?
It’s difficult to explain, and there are many, many reasons, each with their own unique layers which intertwine between my past, subconscious and personal aspects of my life and how I view the world. I discovered him at the age of 17 and have been loyal ever since. I can’t imagine that ever-changing.
The word ‘loyal’ is important here given the utter nonsense written about him, the way people go crazy over his opinions, what kind of badge he wears etc. The rampant campaign to cancel or censor him is actually perversely great – it gives those of us able to think for ourselves the chance to spot the real cretins of this world, they give themselves away instantly. Morrissey is a true original and always has been true to himself. He’s unlike anyone else in the realm of modern culture and popular music, and like he himself has said in the past, it’s easy to be controversial because nobody ever is. I’m loyal mainly because of how important he is to me, and I do find myself agreeing with what he says more often than not. I do agree that what he says at times can be rather eye-opening, but even if I had a quarrel with his views, is that enough to cut ties with someone who’s been such an important part of my life? Don’t be ridiculous.
What is it that resonates between you and him?
That’s partly answered in the last question. Unfortunately, I don’t know him, but having spent years thinking about and reading, rereading his lyrics and listening to interviews, he comes across as someone who is extremely passionate about what he does, what he thinks is important. He appears entirely obsessed with music, films, art, culture, himself! These are things which I admire and can relate to because I’m guilty of such sins. He strikes me as someone who really can take or leave the majority of those he comes in contact with, and he’s his own man to the extreme, it takes a lot to impress him. Importantly, he doesn’t have time for fools – these are things I completely identify with.
How has he inspired you?
I would say he inspired me to take an interest in songwriting, poetry, writing in general, both through becoming more of a reader and even in creating my own. I honestly do hang on every lyric of his, and his words speak to me like few others. He’s the kind of poet that inspires you to stay true to yourself and the ones you hold in high regard.
What is it about his songs that inspire you? Strengthen you? Entertain you?
Well, obviously his songs have had a monumental impact on me, they’re profound, cathartic, and of course, there’s a healthy dose of laugh out loud humour. Noel Gallagher once said that (I’m paraphrasing), “Anything you put down in a song, to convey your love or hate for anyone, he’ll do it one better, cos he’s the best lyricist I’ve ever read.” That sums up my feelings. He’s the best lyricist I’ve ever read. Even, and I don’t say this lightly, even better than Leonard Cohen, who I also absolutely cherish.
Songs in particular? Jeez. Ok, let’s start with The Smiths: Let me point out that I do not dance but ‘This Charming Man’, I will always dance to when it comes on, even when sober. ‘Asleep’, despite how bloody bleak it is, I listen to in times of melancholy, as it makes me feel less lonely, its the best catharsis for instances of depression or loneliness. But my favourite Smiths track will always be ‘Still Ill’, it contains everything there is to love about that band and Morrissey. it’s relatively upbeat in terms of the music, Johnny’s fiddly guitar picks guiding us through while Morrissey sings his usual beautiful combination of despair, angst and defiance in the vocals. When it reaches its peak, when Moz sings, ‘No it wasn’t like those days, am I still ill? Oh, oh, oh uh OH!’, my chest fills up and the tears flow, every time. Pure joy.
Morrissey as a solo artist: a lot of people I know who like/ love The Smiths will say the same things to me with regard to M’s solo work: “Oh but it’s not as good as…” which I find utterly mystifying and slightly lazy. M’s solo work is merely an extension of himself as a man, a progression as he matures from who he was in The Smiths. But again, it’s difficult to pick out personal favourites as there are so many. What I will say is that ‘First of The Gang To Die’ has not aged at all since when he first released it, it’s near perfect. ‘My Dearest Love’ is another one which I take personally, mainly for the brilliant lines, “Take me, to the place I’ve been dreaming of/ Where the grotesquely lonely meet the grotesquely lonely/ And they whisper/ Just very softly…” This one had a huge impact on me, mainly because I heard it at a time when I felt it was communicating sentiment I was relating to. On the flip side, ‘Kiss Me A lot’ is one which inspires joy, the kind you feel when you meet someone and fall in love, to me it’s a celebration of fresh romance. I’ll have it at my wedding and will dance, sober or not.
What cause has he inspired you to pursue?
The most obvious answer here is one I’ve heard before, and one which I do not doubt will be common for others responding to this interview. I’ve always been very sentimental when it comes to animals and of course, dogs remain an important part of my daily life, for my own sanity and general well-being.
“Who hears when animals cry?” – I heard that line early on when I was first exploring The Smiths and becoming more interested in Morrissey. Although I never became a vegetarian straight away, it did inspire something in me to at least consider what I now see as the horrors of the meat industry and the systematic breeding, torture of the world’s most vulnerable for food. ‘Meat Is Murder’ certainly planted the seed in my mind and obviously, I, later on, removed meat from my diet. I think as more animal-free products become readily available it will be easier to make the transition towards Veganism. So, that’s how M has changed my life and I feel ten times better, both mentally and physically. He gives me hope.
Do you have a story about when you met him?
Sadly not. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him (I have asked to interview him on many, many, many occasions, still ongoing) though he is well ingrained in my psyche, in that I’ve had a couple of dreams where I’ve been in contact. Stop laughing. Obviously, I can’t remember said dreams but they always arrive when I know I’ll be seeing him in concert, and needless to say, they’re always positive.
Do you have a story about how you discovered him?
Of course! I was around 17 at the time and was visiting my friends who were studying at Dundee University. I was having a nosey around one of their rooms and came across the CD Hatful of Hollow, I pulled out the booklet and read some lyrics, curious because up until then I had never really focused on or taken much of an interest in band lyrics. Up to that point I had been more into grunge which for me was always more about the music and energy, anger even. I began looking at the lines for ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ and couldn’t help but laugh, in a good way. I was instantly drawn in by the sentiment, that wry, self-aware deprecation. Obviously, I found lines like, “In my life, why do I smile.. at people who I’d much rather kick in the eye?” very funny but relevant also. I’m still smiling at people who I’d much rather kick in the eye. So it goes. I was recommended ‘Louder Than Bombs’ which I borrowed and took home. That compilation was a lot to take in at first, it really took me a good few listens before I started to get it, although there were a few stand out tracks which grabbed my attention. ‘Half a Person’, ‘Panic’, ‘Hand in Glove’ naturally stood out, they’re classic Smiths songs. But it was the last song ‘Asleep’ which I instantly took to at first listen. I suppose it awoke something in me that had always been there, an underlying sense of morbidness, despair, call it what you will (depression!?) but comfort more than anything. As I’ve said, I find it really cathartic. ‘Asleep’ somehow made all these feelings I’d had make sense. It still puts me at ease, emotionally and mentally.
Have you got any tattoos that are inspired by him?
No. To be honest, I’ve never been keen on tattoos, for me or other people. I’ve always thought them to be a real waste of money. Money I’d rather spend on travel, blazers, books, and these days, probably a hair transplant. Although I have said secretly to myself, if I was ever to get one, it would be a Morrissey lyric. But then, there are so many great lines, phrases to choose from. It would take me years to pick one. At the moment, if there’s a gun to my head, ok we’ll go with “STILL ILL”.
Anything else you would like to add?
http://www.feltenink.com – it’s not Moz focused but I often write very nice things about him on there.
If you would also like to submit a fan interview, you can do so at this link:
Just Who Exactly Is a Morrissey Fan?
Letters to Morrissey 