"Autobiography" by Morrissey – #1 for the third week in the UK paperback non-fiction chart

5 November - true-to-you.net
5 November 2013

Autobiography by Morrissey remains number 1 for the third week in the UK paperback non-fiction chart.

 

[Anonymous]

Morrissey has produced five songs in nigh on six years. Five rotten songs, at that. He's supposed to be a singer/songwriter by trade, unless you know different. Has he retired from music? Is he now an author?

Well if he is an author he's piss-poor at it !Writing a booky-wooky and then having to address his homo/huma/sexuality to the ultra's who are stretched to the limit defending him.
It's over just like my prize turkey birds, he's a dead parrot !
Our working class Morrissey has really nothing to do with the working class at all ! He's sold out , "how much is a loaf of bread Steven ?"
[ Two finger salute ]

Benny-the-busy-Butcher

 

[Mozmanc]

Agree with most of what you said. But...

Yesterday I was listening to TQID in the car. I Know It's Over came on. Even though I have heard this song countless times before, it affected me profoundly. I got goosebumps. And thought, no one can top this. This is perfection. No one even comes close. The lyrics, the vocals... and of course, the music (Johnny ). Blown away.

If we can see this song as timeless, then Moz has no expiration date. My grandchild(ren) will hopefully be moved to tears in the same way that we--current listeners--are.

So, he has some personality flaws and his moral compass could use a tweaking. None of us would look much better if viewed under a microscope.

His book is excellent. A little snarky--which makes it a great read. Some might take offense. I laughed at most of his acid tongue characterizations and take downs. Most autobiographies are misleading--misnomers. They are ghost written. Moz wrote his book HIMSELF. And without the use of an editor. Gotta love his chutzpah.

You'll get no argument from me on any of that. The thing is when you have a unique talent you need more while you can get it, and frankly he has underachieved on the musical front for a decade. The fact he is so capable of great work makes me want more. I might have another six World Cups in me, while Morrissey might have four. Time marches on.

Bowie's new album, which is not the unmitigated triumph many believe, in my opinion, was still very nice to hear and provided in "Where Are We Now", one of the loveliest songs of his career. Morrissey can still produce great songs. That should now be his priority.

The book should bring him in enough to get back in the studio - hopefully without Tobias - and give us a swansong we know he is capable of.

both of you are spot on, again

I believe we'll see a new album next year.

 

[Playcat2000]

Agree with most of what you said. But...

Yesterday I was listening to TQID in the car. I Know It's Over came on. Even though I have heard this song countless times before, it affected me profoundly. I got goosebumps. And thought, no one can top this. This is perfection. No one even comes close. The lyrics, the vocals... and of course, the music (Johnny ). Blown away.

If we can see this song as timeless, then Moz has no expiration date. My grandchild(ren) will hopefully be moved to tears in the same way that we--current listeners--are.

So, he has some personality flaws and his moral compass could use a tweaking. None of us would look much better if viewed under a microscope.

His book is excellent. A little snarky--which makes it a great read. Some might take offense. I laughed at most of his acid tongue characterizations and take downs. Most autobiographies are misleading--misnomers. They are ghost written. Moz wrote his book HIMSELF. And without the use of an editor. Gotta love his chutzpah.

But if he was to be “tweaked” then he wouldn’t be Morrissey anymore. He’s how he was supposed to turn out and that’s what makes his life story so sad. Our Charming Man started out sweet, unassuming, slightly naïve and loved his band. It’s all the shit that came after starting with the breakup that turned him and drove him to be cynical and unsympathetic.

 

[realitybites]

But if he was to be “tweaked” then he wouldn’t be Morrissey anymore. He’s how he was supposed to turn out and that’s what makes his life story so sad. Our Charming Man started out sweet, unassuming, slightly naïve and loved his band. It’s all the shit that came after starting with the breakup that turned him and drove him to be cynical and unsympathetic.

He doesn't need tweaked if you are willing and able to accept that he is, in fact, flawed--as we all are. And that these flaws are part of his charm... like a misfit toy... or a puppy that pees on the carpet instead of outside but can catch a Frisbee midair like no other pooch. But if he is to be hailed as the exemplar of moral character and graciousness, worthy of fawning over--like so many do, then he needs tweaking--without a doubt.

 

[Requiescant]

The book should bring him in enough to get back in the studio - hopefully without Tobias - and give us a swansong we know he is capable of.

More to the point, the book should prove to any wavering record labels that Morrissey is still a uniquely sellable commodity(apologies for describing him in such anodyne advertising jargon), which is the only way we'll get the "songs in the bank" withdrawn.

Moz may well have one glorious curtain call left to offer us one day, but unfortunately, and sadly, it may have to be with completely new co-writers and musicians. The post-Vauxhall blueprint has been bled dry.....the voice remains beautiful, the words still change lives....the music is, at times, unlovely and broken-backed, and seldom inspiring.

Even at this late stage though, a refreshing collaboration may prove alchemic.

 

[realitybites]

both of you are spot on, again

I believe we'll see a new album next year.

Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

Well, both he and Boz have said there are many more songs in the bank, though I can't recall the exact number. The point is the book hasn't sunk his career or destroyed Penguin as some here (not you, I don't think) vehemently claimed it would. It's a glimmer of light at the end of a very long tunnel, admittedly. But, who knows, it may yet trigger a late-career upward trajectory. Anyway, I'm pleased that his book is doing well. That's all.

JB is stirring trouble. JB knows there have been at least 20 new songs and more in the pipeline and this is not even including PATSE, patsy or pasty, whichever he likes best.. And not including SCANDINAVIA, which was probably a new song recorded on tour in SCANDINAVIA, whilst
hiding from people like him........as we all know..

Back to the book, it is excellent reading. Excellent.

Hazard.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

I think we will see a new LP, at f***ing last...He can't keep that boring set list.
I hope he does release something, he has had mad year if he puts all those emotions in an LP it will be mental, in a good way
The thing is a lot of people have always been interested in Moz that hasn't changed, the book proves this.
This doesn't mean they are willing to listen to another shit record.
people like Moz not his music of late. If he wont get rid of jesse who is basically useless, he should get rid someone who can write good songs on board.

 

[Anonymous]

If one thing is a bearded clam, then what is the other thing? The one that some people walk around with.

Why wouldn't it be so? The man used the term "bearded clam" in his autobiography!
Of all of the words, terms and phrases that I would have guessed to be in this book, the clam was a shocker. Please pardon the pun.

 

[realitybites]

If one thing is a bearded clam, then what is the other thing? The one that some people walk around with.

The beardless clam.

 

[Johnny Barleycorn]

JB is stirring trouble. JB knows there have been at least 20 new songs and more in the pipeline and this is not even including PATSE, patsy or pasty, whichever he likes best.. And not including SCANDINAVIA, which was probably a new song recorded on tour in SCANDINAVIA, whilst
hiding from people like him........as we all know..

Back to the book, it is excellent reading. Excellent.

Hazard.

You see this is one of the problems here at the moment. Anything short of total adoration is leapt upon. Scientologists have nothing on some of you lot. You don't really want to discuss, you want to close down those who disagree. This is one of the reasons this site has dipped in quality in the last three or four months.

I'm delighted you have the inside track on the other twenty in the pipeline. Perhaps you would share the titles. It may be true, but poses a few questions. Are the songs so far aired in public the best he has, and why, when playing them in public seems a good place to showcase them to record companies and to create a buzz, has he not done so? Scandinavia is head and shoulders above the other new songs, which might have passed muster for a normal artist but are way short of the mark for Morrissey, the trudging backing track matched perfectly by the banal, sixth form lyrics.

I remember a Morrissey TTY piece circa 2010 that he had 36 songs salted away, representing three albums worth of material. Has he lost sixteen? You'd know. Apparently. Please enlighten us.

 

[Anonymous]

Truly glad chart-obsessed Morrissey has a #1 out there -- and honestly, one that the general public will hear about much more than an album or single.
The haters hate this, which I love.

I couldn't agree more, King Leer, especially about the haters.

Revenge is sweet.

Congrats to Moz, you deserve this and so so much more! I hope the string of number ones continue.

 

[King Leer]

This is something I've been meaning to ask the (more literate) haters for a while -- who are the artists they love that are so agreeable, well-balanced and maintain decades-long careers, producing new work at a consistently high level of quality? Does such a human even exist? None of my favourite artists are particularly likable, and that's fine with me. I live with their work, I don't live with them. Morrissey has probably about as many true friends as a "normal" person. His prickly, misanthropic side is balanced with heartfelt words and singing that few modern artists can match. He hasn't sold out, he makes no concessions to industry/fame BS. What the eff else do people want!? I think the haters are overestimating the sycophancy quotient on this site.

He doesn't need tweaked if you are willing and able to accept that he is, in fact, flawed--as we all are. And that these flaws are part of his charm... like a misfit toy... or a puppy that pees on the carpet instead of outside but can catch a Frisbee midair like no other pooch. But if he is to be hailed as the exemplar of moral character and graciousness, worthy of fawning over--like so many do, then he needs tweaking--without a doubt.

 

[Anonymous]

Good for him, congratulations, but the book cannot be worse. I expected much better from a man supposed to have read some books. His writing is pedantic and would not get a C in 9th grade. However, I continue to listen to and adore his music, as I always have in the last 30 years.

 

[Fawdy]

This is something I've been meaning to ask the (more literate) haters for a while -- who are the artists they love that are so agreeable, well-balanced and maintain decades-long careers, producing new work at a consistently high level of quality? Does such a human even exist? None of my favourite artists are particularly likable, and that's fine with me. I live with their work, I don't live with them. Morrissey has probably about as many true friends as a "normal" person. His prickly, misanthropic side is balanced with heartfelt words and singing that few modern artists can match. He hasn't sold out, he makes no concessions to industry/fame BS. What the eff else do people want!? I think the haters are overestimating the sycophancy quotient on this site.

I read Neil Young's book recently - a refreshing, humble and inspiring book. He also consistently brings out challenging music. Similarly I read Pete Townsend's book - again humble, honest and a great read. Morrissey, who has long been a musical hero of mine, has written a book that is, in contrast, whining, paranoid, delusional and, often, just quite dull. I'm not a hater at all but Morrissey is, I'm afraid, the emperor with his new clothes.

 

[Peterb]

This is something I've been meaning to ask the (more literate) haters for a while -- who are the artists they love that are so agreeable, well-balanced and maintain decades-long careers, producing new work at a consistently high level of quality? Does such a human even exist? None of my favourite artists are particularly likable, and that's fine with me. I live with their work, I don't live with them. Morrissey has probably about as many true friends as a "normal" person. His prickly, misanthropic side is balanced with heartfelt words and singing that few modern artists can match. He hasn't sold out, he makes no concessions to industry/fame BS. What the eff else do people want!? I think the haters are overestimating the sycophancy quotient on this site.

Who are these Haters you keep referring to? I feel I may be one. I'm not sure.

 

[Charlie Cheswick]

I read Neil Young's book recently - a refreshing, humble and inspiring book. He also consistently brings out challenging music. Similarly I read Pete Townsend's book - again humble, honest and a great read. Morrissey, who has long been a musical hero of mine, has written a book that is, in contrast, whining, paranoid, delusional and, often, just quite dull. I'm not a hater at all but Morrissey is, I'm afraid, the emperor with his new clothes.

At least Moz hasn't got a thing for kiddy porn though eh.

 

[King Leer]

You've heard of "hate watching"? The message board equivalent of that. I only wish I had their amount of free time.

Who are these Haters you keep referring to? I feel I may be one. I'm not sure.

 

[ACTON]

The whole question of 'haters' has come up again. If people kept their comments to the point then that would help. For example, I could say that I enjoyed the Autobiography but felt that it was a missed opportunity and that ultimately it didn't really tell us anything new. It certaintly didn't give me any insight into the songwriting/collaboration process or provide much background detail at all about his magnificient solo albums. After making this comment I would love to see people agree/disagree (with their reasons), instead of people being lazy and saying 'you don't know anything and you're wrong'. If people were more logical and less emotional in their comments we would have (1) less comments and (2) better comments that are actually relevant.

 

[Anonymous]

Truly glad chart-obsessed Morrissey has a #1 out there -- and honestly, one that the general public will hear about much more than an album or single.
The haters hate this, which I love.

I love it, too. Moz's success perturbs all the right people -- particularly the passive/aggressive ones.