"10 Happy Morrissey Songs" - Paste

10 Happy Morrissey Songs - Paste
By Nick Petrillo

Steven Patrick Morrissey has been called a lot of things: miserable, bleak, depressing, you name it. But as any dedicated Morrissey fan will tell you, his talents have never relied solely on the doom and gloom. As a matter of fact, the former Smiths frontman has proven that he’s perfectly capable of penning songs that brim with wit, positivity and, yes, even downright happiness. We’ve sifted through all his solo albums and his Smiths material to present the finest moments of Morrissey’s optimism—though we admit that it did take a while.

Link posted by @torrHL / Twitter:

 

[sad veiled bride]

Happy Lovers...?

That one is sooo sad!!

 

[Oh my god. it's Robby!]

Sing Your Life
King Leer
Now My Heart Is Full
Sister I'm A Poet
Hairdresser On Fire

and some others because they make me laugh which is close to "happy":

National Front Disco
Ouija Board, Ouija Board
You're the One for Me, Fatty
Interesting Drug
Certain People I Know

 

[Justin Playfair]

I also love "In The Future When All's Well." It speaks of a hopeful future that will be better than the present. Eventually, it will be "ended by a long, long sleep," which I find comforting.

 

[Anonymous]

So if I may use your "second time around" thingy, I arrive at the following :

" I know that a few people here are frustrated with him, but if you take a step back, and remember the songs that had such a powerful impact on you, it's clear that the man is brilliant." (First time around)


"I know that a few people here are frustrated with him, but if you take a step back, and remember the songs that had such a powerful impact on you, it's clear that the man was brilliant." (Second time around)

Yep I get it thanks for that but its nothing to get to excited about really, its been around a very long time its called grammar. Songwriters use grammatical terms such as past tense, present tense and future tense when writing songs.
He was good in the old days though I'll give you that, but all good things come to an end (Like my turkey's will be Christmas dinner soon) Here today gone tomorrow.


Benny-the-Butcher

Actually, it's called technique, talent, and purpose; the first term is conditional, the second is definite (tense refers to verb usage;' if' and 'when' are subordinating conjunctions, just for the record. So, if you are going to use grammar as your weapon, and take an extraordinarily smug tone in the process, please get your information straight so you do not look like a complete twat). More importantly, Morrissey's very thoughtful changes have an impact on the listener, whereas your words, as always, are completely irelevant to anyone other than you. You asked me once not to respond to you specifically, and I have honored that request; yet, you do not show me the same courtesy. In my opinion, every record that Morrissey has created has moments of brilliance. Yes, some records are more successful than others, but they all have value; therefore, Morrissey was, is, and will be brilliant. That is my opinion; I don't expect you to agree, nor do I care. So please spare me your inept attempt at debate.

lynnda

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with Lynnda. Morrissey's songs are too complex and deep to sum them up as "happy" or "sad." It's like saying "Jack the Ripper" must be a happy song because it has laughing. It's about a serial killer who preys on desperate and degraded women (who don't agree and don't refuse as well as presume too much) and laughs maniacally about getting away with it as an anonymous murderer because the victims are too unworthy for the police detectives to bother doing their jobs competently with thorough investigations. Oh, but Moz loves the romance of crime. The misogynistic murder seduces his victims with "crash into my arms, I want you."

So true. Relying on these generalizations about Morrissey's music proves that no real thought was given to the complexity of his work. Why not discuss his creative manipulation of language, his use of poetic devices that places him far above the average song-writer who is content with rhyming baby and maybe, his references to films and literature, the way that he uses words to paint such vivid imagery that you almost feel that you are with him in that moment, or more importantly, the way he honestly discusses the difficult emotions that affect us all. Life can't just be defined as 'happy' or 'sad'; it's not that black and white; it's mostly a large gradient span between the extreme highs and lows, and Morrissey is one of the few writers who will address the emotions that fall into that range, such as regret, boredom, resentment, and jealousy.

Even if you take a seemingly light-hearted song like "The Loop", listening carefully to the words reveals that there are multiple messages being conveyed. The beginning of the song sounds pleading: "one day, if you're bored, by all means call..."; but the second time around, Morrissey changes a few words, and the song takes on an entirely different tone. He changes 'if' to 'when' to state that yes, one day you will call on me, but it will probably be too late. This message could be aimed at anyone: a record company, an ex-lover, or a certain guitar player. No one really knows, but the fact that his music makes you contemplate the true meaning is what makes it so important and so unique. It is also what makes many people dislike his work, because they would prefer not to think. It's so much easier to be oblivious and outwardly "happy". I know that a few people here are frustrated with him, but if you take a step back, and remember the songs that had such a powerful impact on you, it's clear that the man is brilliant.

lynnda

 

[Anonymous]

Actually, it's called technique, talent, and purpose; the first term is conditional, the second is definite (tense refers to verb usage;' if' and 'when' are subordinating conjunctions, just for the record. So, if you are going to use grammar as your weapon, and take an extraordinarily smug tone in the process, please get your information straight so you do not look like a complete twat). More importantly, Morrissey's very thoughtful changes have an impact on the listener, whereas your words, as always, are completely irelevant to anyone other than you. You asked me once not to respond to you specifically, and I have honored that request; yet, you do not show me the same courtesy. In my opinion, every record that Morrissey has created has moments of brilliance. Yes, some records are more successful than others, but they all have value; therefore, Morrissey was, is, and will be brilliant. That is my opinion; I don't expect you to agree, nor do I care. So please spare me your inept attempt at debate.

lynnda

Is/Was ? That is the question.
I say 'was', you say 'is' but you will change your mind.


Benny-the-Butcher

 

[Anonymous]

Which song do you think is his masterpiece? Which song do you think Morrissey believes is ? Speedway

 

[Oh my god. it's Robby!]

Which song do you think is his masterpiece? Which song do you think Morrissey believes is ? Speedway

good answer, but "Life Is a Pigsty" came later and I think defines so much about all of his music as a "career"
and really I have come to love it so much