Morrissey in Quotes

Morrissey's tribute to Andy Rourke. A light that will never go out. (Morrissey Central, 2023) #RIPAndyRourke

Happy birthday Morrissey

“I despise royalty. I always have done. The very idea of their existence these days when people are dying daily because they don't have enough money to operate one radiator, to me is immoral. As far as I can see, money spent on royalty is money burnt.” (Time Out, 1985)

“I don't speak from a very strict heterosexist angle. I cannot segregate the sexes. I cannot see women over there and men over there and this large chasm between the two.” Interviewer: Where do you place yourself? “In the middle somewhere, straddling.” (Earsay, 1984)

“In 1983 I was very sexless and chronically depressed. These two go together quite well, but aren't terribly helpful. It is unusual, I think, to be suicidal, yet to suddenly find success because you ARE suicidal.”

“My mother, who's an assistant librarian, introduced me to Oscar Wilde's writing when I was eight. She insisted I read him and I immediately became obsessed. Every single line affected me in some way. I liked the simplicity of the way he wrote.” (Smash Hits, 1984).

“'Strangeways, Here We Come' is The Smiths best album. Well it is. We're in absolute accordance on that. We say it quite often. In our sleep. But in different beds. 'Strangeways, Here We Come' said everything perfectly at the right time and put the tin hat on it basically.”

On 'The Queen Is Dead': “I think it's the most perfect thing I've written and I'm really immensely proud of it. It's also incredibly optimistic - as you can tell by the title!”

Some words from Morrissey in 1987 on #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

“Whether you like me or not, I remain an individual... Individually nauseating or individually interesting. The key word in my vocabulary is individualism.”

On performing live: “I think it's the only time in my life I feel right. I'm not sure if I even exist off-stage.”