Photo by Brian Rasic
In May 1986, The Smiths released their damning critique of contemporary pop music in the form of a two-minute single, ‘Panic’. The song, considered today as one of the great singles of the 1980s, quickly reached 11 on the UK Charts and was acclaimed by many critics. One journalist, however, believed Morrissey’s lyrics to be racist. Writing for the NME in 1986, Paolo Hewitt wrote that when Morrissey “starts using words like disco and DJ for a predominantly white audience...the attendant imagery is imprecise and offensive”. If only he could see Mozza now.
Over 30 years later and The Smiths’ legacy is far more tarnished than anybody could have ever imagined. Every day, diehard, lifelong fans find themselves sighing in disapproval of whatever controversial rant Morrissey has delivered that day. For many, discovering Morrissey’s true beliefs and his support for anti-Islam activist Anne Marie Waters has raised the question of whether they should continue listening to his music. Even Johnny Marr, former bandmate in The Smiths who once stated that he and Morrissey “loved each other” made it clear that he wishes to distance himself from his former bandmate's views. But are Morrissey’s far-right views and beliefs a new revelation, or has closer scrutiny of the philosophy underpinning his work revealed they have always been present?
Morrissey, performing with The Smiths
In the 1980s, it was hard to assign Morrissey with any one specific political ideology due to his self-deprecating and contradictory nature, however his passion for his key beliefs have remained consistent. From the release of The Smiths’ second album ‘Meat Is Murder’, Morrissey has been an outspoken vegetarian, recently going as far as to ban any meat products being sold at the venues of his concerts. He has previously criticised the Conservative governments of both May and Cameron for their support over fox hunting and stated the latter should resign due to the ‘Piggate’ scandal as it shows a “complete lack of empathy entirely unbefitting a man in his position”. He has also been a lifelong critic of the monarchy, stating in 2012 that The Royal Family are "benefit scroungers and nothing else". On many other issues, however, Morrissey has contradicted, retracted and backtracked in his interviews and tweets throughout the years. While bandmate Johnny Marr has always seemed to be on the left of politics, Morrissey has never seemed to fit in any one political box.
A strong critic of Thatcher and the neoliberalism of the 80s, Morrissey’s hatred and abhorrence can be heard in ‘Margret On the Guillotine’, the closing song on his debut album ‘Viva Hate’ in which he imagines the former Prime Minister’s death and describes it as a “wonderful dream”. He has also been critical about Thatcher's successor as PM, John Major who he described as “no one's idea of a Prime Minister” although, in fairness, Morrisey’s not alone in thinking this, with Major’s approval rating being third to last of any Prime Minister.
Morrissey on Jimmy Fallon, wearing a right-wing party pin
On his third studio album, ‘Your Arsenal’, ‘The National Front Disco’ appears, a song which, while seemingly ironic, nevertheless received accusations of racism from contemporary critics. ‘The National Front Disco’s lyrics of ‘irony’ have now been re-evaluated by many, who believe that the lyrics sound eerily similar to many of Morrisey’s rants about Brexit, Farage and English Nationalism.
But where does all of this leave The Smiths legacy? Do we stop listening to a band because one member has views and beliefs we don’t agree with? In July 2019, Billy Bragg, a former friend of Morrisey, condemned The Smiths’ frontman for supporting ‘For Britian’ - a far-right, anti-Islam party founded by Anne Marie Waters, former UKIP leader candidate - and accused Morrissey of ruining the legacy of The Smiths and Johnny Marr.
Anne Marie Waters at a 'For Britain' protest
For many, removing the art from the artist is impossible in the case of The Smiths and Morrissey due to the extremity of his beliefs. Diehard fans who had once had posters, records and T-shirts of Morrissey are now ashamed to say they enjoy his music and for them, with every new far-right rant, this becomes more challenging. The result of Morrisey's comments ended in his record label BMG dropping him after only three albums.
Now, over thirty years after The Smiths’ split, many struggle to hear Morrisey’s voice in the same way as they did all those years ago. Record shops refuse to sell his albums, Merseyrail refuse to show his posters and for once diehard fans of both The Smiths and his solo career, the days of ‘Panic’ couldn't be further away.
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