Did Morrissey go too far this time?

Sirona

I know we've mentioned Morrissey's new CD on this forum before, but I don't recall anyone talking about the shocking lyrics of his new album. I love Morrissey and I own all his stuff, but this time I've found myself cringing!

Has he gone too far?

Here are some excerpts:

"America your head's too big, Because America, Your belly's too bigAnd I love you, I just wish you'd stay where you are

In America, The land of the free, they said, And of opportunity, In a just and a truthful way
But where the president, Is never black, female or gay, And until that day
You've got nothing to say to me, To help me believe

In America, It brought you the hamburger, Well America you know where, You can shove your hamburger
And don't you wonder, Why in Estonia they say, Hey you, Big fat pig
You fat pig, You fat pig"

and From: I have forgiven Jesus

I was a good kid, I wouldn't do you no harm, I was a nice kid, With a nice paper round
Forgive me any pain, I may have brung to you, With God's help I know, I'll always be near to you
But Jesus hurt me, When he deserted me, but, I have forgiven you Jesus
For all the desire, You placed in me when there's nothing I can do with this desire

I was a good kid, Through hail and snow, I'd go just to moon you, I carried my heart in my hand
Do you understand, Do you understand

But Jesus hurt me, When he deserted me, but, I have forgiven you Jesus
For all of the love, You placed in me when there's no one I can turn to with this love

From: The world is full of crashing bores

You must be wondering how, The boy next door turned out, Have a care, But don't stare, Because he's still there
Lamenting policewomen policemen silly women taxmen, Uniformed whores, They who wish to hurt you, Work within the lawThis world is full, So full of crashing bores, And I must be one, 'Cos no one ever turns to me to say
Take me in your arms, Take me in your arms, And love me

from: All the lazy dykes

All the lazy dykes, Cross armed at the palms, Then legs astride their bikes, Indigo burns on their arms
One sweet day, An emotional whirl, You will be good to yourself, And you'll come and join the girls

All the lazy dykes, They pity how you live, Just "somebody's wife", You give, and you give,
And you give, and you give, Give, and you give
And one sweet day , An emotional whirl, You will be good to yourself, And you'll come and join the girls

scotsman

Can't say these lyrics bother me. I found it harder to work round his thoughts behind Nation Front Disco.

s-man (who once sported a Mozzer quiff)

Pleasuredome

maybe there should be a new label put on album covers these days: - "Warning! Not to be taken too seriously"

cypher50

1) Morrissey going too far? Hmm, I think when the Smiths came out with Girlfriend In a Coma, that showed that you can never go too far if you are Morrissey ....

2) When this much gloom & degradation is on a CD, it somehow lessens the effect of even the most controversial lyrics. In fact, I almost found those lyrics comical they were so over the top; I think Morrissey would love this saying: I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally...

Sirona

Well I'm certainly NOT one of those people who go around saying that Morrissey has lyrics to slit your wrists to - I appreciate that most of his lyrics are actually really funny (remember "and the pain was enough to make a shy bald buddhist reflect and plan a mass murder"?)

But - many of his other lyrics didn't seem quite as "nasty" as these. Maybe it isn't mozzer who has changed, maybe its me? (a la "has the world changed or have I changed?")

I dunno, I just liked the Bona Drag type mozzer more. I don't get the impression that the America song is supposed to have the funny edge of his other stuff, I think he is actually saying how he feels. (similarly with Irish Blood)

As for National Front Disco, that was one controversial song but the majority of smiths songs were about life and people and not political as such. International Playboys was also controversial, but I don't think for one minute that GF in a coma was that bad..... so he felt like he could strangle her? so what? that is nothing on this album.

Overall Morrissey is fantastic and I wanted ppl to comment on what they thought of the new lyrics....

Sirona

Pleasuredome

maybe there should be a new label put on album covers these days: - "Warning! Not to be taken too seriously"

Oh yeah, I forgot, Mr Pleasuredome doesn't like having an actual discussion about something Don't get too serious now or it might rock your boat

Sirona

myauntfanny

I actually can't understand the lazy dykes one, I'm not sure WHAT he's trying to say. Is it anti-lesbian, anti-housewife? I can't follow it. But the others don't seem too bad to me. His thoughts about Jesus seem more about expressing personal disappointment than trying to offend anyone. And those lyrics about America, well, a lot of people feel that way right now, we love America but don't like its foreign policy or its hogging of resources. I personally don't feel it's going too far to say so out loud, that's what democracy is about. IMHO. At least it's about ideas, and not just smacking his bitch up.

Pleasuredome

sirona

you know i'm controversial, so you know i'm going to like his lyrics.

i think 'irish blood, english heart' is brilliant and funny. i'll have to buy his album sometime.

"I've been dreaming of a time when
the English are sick to death
of Labour, and Tories
and spit upon the name Oliver Cromwell
and denounce this royal line that still salute him"

scotsman

Well, in analysis of the lyrics - Mozzer's made it fairly obvioulsy how he feels about Dubya in interviews and while living in LA his relationship with American culture is pretty ambivelant so the lyrics are an expression of how he feels. He's clearly not alone.

Forgiving Jesus? Hhmmm... can't quite see the controversy there (unless you're a traditionalist Christian) but understand the sentiment.

Lazy dykes - who is he getting at? God knows, but he's only a musician (although I once thought he was a god)

Sirona, perhaps you'd like to say how you think those lyrics are extreme.

proplog2

My oldest son (27) gave me a copy of Morrisseys latest so I could burn a copy for his sister (18). I liked it. So I kept a copy on my laptop. I'm 59 for those who may be interested in demographic appeal.

Did Morrissey go too far this time?

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