Top Ten Morrissey Moments 2017

As 2017 draws to a close, we find ourselves attempting to make sense of yet another year soon to be cast into the history books. How do we wrap our heads around this one? On a global level, the year was fraught with chaos and palpable concern that things may not improve any time soon. Being pessimistic by nature (or is it learned - how can we ever truly know?), it’s always been difficult for me to feel hopeful, and I know it’s this way for many of us... so, if you’ve survived 2017, that in itself is something to be proud of.

The dawn of a new year is traditionally considered a time of reflection and resolution (a bit daunting, no?), so how do we extract ourselves from the quicksand of obsessing over the year’s pangs? In actuality, there’s nothing wrong with feeling sad, or lonely, and perhaps in denying these emotions we merely intensify negative affect. You are allowed to feel. I guess the point is to find a degree of balance, and that, for some semblance of well being, we ought to remind ourselves there remains some beauty in the world, whether it be found through art, nature, or even something as abstract and elusive as our own dreams.

Beauty through art: Morrissey at Madison Square Garden

And yes, sometimes those of us who are considered ‘downers’ get a bad rap... the other night while scrolling through Twitter I saw a quote, splattered across a stock photo sunset, urging people to “stop living in your head!” I think I can almost grasp what the motivational types were getting at, but there were no helpful hints explaining how one can extract oneself from the mind – so... at best it felt like another useless reminder I can’t do anything right.

Hmmm... well that’s enough reflecting for now. As for making New Year’s Resolutions, I wasn’t sure if people were still doing that, so I took to Twitter to ask the admittedly lacklustre question, and found that most people are so bored by the idea of resolutions, they couldn’t even be bothered to answer the poll – and many of those that did, just can’t see the bloody point.

Do you make New Years Resolutions?

Yes every year - 16 %
Sometimes - 25 %
No, because I can't keep them - 16 %
What's the bloody point? - 44 %

"Oh, what's the bloody point." - Kenneth Williams

Whether you’re spending the night prowling around a packed sweaty nightclub, making a to-do list for 2018, or sighing into a dry glass of mediocre champagne on your couch, I hope you at least find a few hours of enjoyment this weekend...

Now, let’s get started on what I’m really here for, which is to list the Top Ten Morrissey Moments of 2017.

Unfortunately, the press made this a difficult year at times. I can attest that a large number of fans are tired of whiny, negatively-slanted articles published by The Guardian, NME, and Slicing Up Eyerolls, that seem to just cut, paste, and splice each other’s misleading headlines together. It is one thing to disagree with something someone says, but it’s quite another to twist their words, insert meaning that is not there, and attack their character. You have to wonder if those spewing such hate have made any effort to understand anything about Morrissey and his art.

"It takes strength to be gentle and kind"

However, there were many beautiful high points this year. Let’s take a look at some of the best moments of 2017:

1. Low In High School

Recorded in Italy and France during the summer of 2017, and released on November 17^th, Low In High School is a thought-provoking masterpiece album that shows Morrissey and his band in excellent form. Lyrically, the record covers everything from war, to the media, to opened legs, to the police, and Moz demonstrates his unmatched agility with language, forming words into electric poetry that strikes every chord, touched and untouched, in your heart. Combine such lyrical prowess with his voice, smooth and powerful as ever, and the polished, ear-catching instrumental creativity of Boz Boorer, Jesse Tobias, Gustavo Manzur, Mando Lopez, and Matt Walker - and the result is goosebumps and a record you can’t help but want to listen to on repeat. The addition of Mando Lopez is especially noteworthy, as his innovative basslines provide a central heartbeat to the album, and he has a writing credit on the stunning, soul-stirring track Home Is A Question Mark (probably my favourite!)

2. US Low In High School Tour

Morrissey’s US Tour to debut Low In High School ran from October to December and featured two sold-out nights at the sprawlingly glamorous Hollywood Bowl. While the last three shows were not meant to be, the concerts were vibrant nights filled with energy, and the new songs sounded spectacular. I was lucky enough to attend 7 of the concerts, and for me, the nights at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, The Masonic in San Francisco, and The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City were breathtaking. 

Morrissey wearing a sparkly jacket in Seattle

Morrissey in San Francisco

3. Spent The Day In Bed

September saw the release of the first single from Low In High School, Spent The Day In Bed. A Morrissey/Manzur compilation featuring catchy intricate keyboards and zeitgeist-fuelled lyrics, the song promotes self-care in the midst of a potentially draining world. Moz demonstrates his career-spanning talent for weaving self-deprecating humour into his lines: “I’m not my type but I love my bed” and his voice is in top form. Spent The Day In Bed debuted at Number One on the Vinyl Charts with Ramones cover Judy Is A Punk as a b-side.

4. Morrissey gets his own Day!

November 10^th, was declared Morrissey Day in Los Angeles. I think Mayor Garcetti says it best:

"Los Angeles embraces individuality, compassion, and creativity, and Morrissey expresses those values in a way that moves Angelenos of all ages... Morrissey Day celebrates an artist whose music has captivated and inspired generations of people who may not always fit in - because they were born to stand out." 

Photo via lowinhighschoolmorrissey on Instagram

It’s fantastic to see Moz looking so happy. Check out the video by SER (watch til the end for the little dance):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-CDCNId_aU

5. Morrissey Returns to Mexico

Mexican fans love Moz – and they were overjoyed this March, when he returned to Mexico for the first time in nearly six years for a four date tour including Monterrey, Puebla, Roxy Fest in Guadalajara, and a sold-out concert in Mexico City to a crowd of 22,500. Some highlights of the tour included There Is A Light That Never Goes Out and When Last I Spoke To Carol (both played live for the first time since 2012), Moz playing with a black bra that was thrown on stage, the band decked out in "Fuck Trump" t shirts, and Moz wearing a stunning sparkly jacket. The sparkly jacket was, in fact, so magical, that I considered giving it its very own position on this Top Ten list. It reappeared, in  all of its glorious glitteriness, in Seattle (see photo above), and then the Hollywood Bowl, where Morrissey threw it to the crowd and it was caught by a very devoted long time fan.

Crowd in Mexico City via farkomalarco on Insgragram

Morrissey in Mexico by violetisha on Instagran

6. Brand New Videos!

In October we were treated to the video from lead single Spent The Day In Bed, featuring cameos by David Hoyle and Joey Barton, and Morrissey being pushed around by his bandmates in a wheelchair. Many of us mused over the symbolism of the wheelchair: did it allude to the shackles of the music industry, that Moz feels most free while he’s singing, or was it connected to the theme of spending the day in bed?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rmAi9XmlIo

Following quick on the heels of Spent The Day In Bed, the video for Jacky’s Only Happy When She’s Up On Stage was released in late November. Jacky features go-go dancers and a vibrant colour scheme reminiscent of the late 60’s and early 70’s – and Moz is much more mobile than in the previous wheelchair-bound vid, swaying his hips and looking oh-so-dapper in a pinstripe suit stitched with a butterfly on the sleeve. The band dons turquoise satin suits and shows off some semi-choreographed moves, and Boz ... almost falls over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZuB5TWrSv4

7. The Return Of The Cardigan

2017 has been an exquisite year for cardigans, with Morrissey stepping out in a peacock-feather embellished cardi by Alexander McQueen on French TV show C à Vous Live in October, and then appearing on stage during his US tour in a dashing navy blue and white cardigan not once, not twice, but three times... in San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and New York City (2 of which I attended – how I didn’t swoon right there in the pit, I’ll never know!). As far as I'm aware - and I like to keep track of these very important matters - we haven’t seen so many on-stage cardigans in the same year since 2002 and 2009, which were both very big years for Moz cardis. As a bonus, we were also blessed with some Handsome Devil Hollywood Bowl sound check photos taken by Sam – with Mozzer wearing the debonair knit wear item yet again – sigh... my heart is all a-flutter.

Cardigan Moz on French TV

Moz in San Francisco - Photo by mischievousnose on Instagram

Moz at Hollywood Bowl soundcheck - photo by SER
https://www.instagram.com/sam_esty_rayner_photography/

8. Morrissey Covers Back On The Chain Gang

It’s well known that animal lovers Morrissey and Chrissie Hynde have been good friends for many years, so when Moz and the band appeared on BBC6 and covered The Pretenders’ 1984 tune, Back On The Chain Gang, it was an extra special moment. They nailed the cover and kept it on the setlist for the US tour. In Autobiography, Morrissey describes Chrissie as “by far the funniest person I have ever met.”

Morrissey and Chrissie Hynde

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkc9jRc69SM

9. Heavenly Set-lists

Many rarities were included on the setlist this year, with songs spanning Morrissey’s solo and Smiths career. Back in April, in Dallas, we were treated to Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me for the first time since 2012. At the Portland concert on Halloween, Morrissey and his band performed (yes, I know only seals perform, but I’m mixing up my verbs here) Smiths number I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish live for the first time ever. More catalogue highlights include I’m Not Sorry (first time live since 2012), Munich Air Disaster 1958 (first time since 2004), Hold Onto Your Friends (first time since 1997), Glamorous Glue (first time since 1992), and In The Future When All’s Well (first time since 2007).

Moz and Boz performing I Started Something I Couldn't
Finish in Portland, Oregon via babyj on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUs_3-EPTXY

10. Live At Maida Vale

In October, divinely decked out in a smashing Gucci jacket, Morrissey appeared on BBC 6 Live at Maida Vale studios and introduced a number of songs off his new album, including Spent The Day In Bed, I Wish You Lonely, Jacky’s Only Happy When She’s Up On Stage, When You Open Your Legs, Home Is A Question Mark, and All The Young People Must Fall In Love.

Morrissey at Maida Vale via mozoccasions on Instagram

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGQh7bYXDcI

And... my vote for best merch items of the year goes to the black cat pin, and the Low In High School scarf.

Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!