Article "Five ways Morrissey has been ahead of his time" by Fiona Dodwell - Music-News.com

Written by Dodwell, I believe
Morrissey. Say the name to ten different people and you will get ten vastly different reactions; he is an artist that defies our expectations with his decades-spanning career and constant refusal to be an easy player for the mainstream press.

While many other public figures pander to the latest trends and seem happy to offer their easily digestible platitudes to audiences, Morrissey stands firm: he is completely and unequivocally true to himself. This strength of character has not made his life easy; in fact, it appears to be quite the opposite when one considers the relentless backlashes he has faced as a result.

Yet buried beneath the blanket of the press and the carousel of online stories which attempt to target and undermine him (to the point of caricaturisation) exists a very human Morrissey that has proven himself far ahead of his time in this so-called era of the “woke.”

With the moral panic of the social media age at the forefront of our daily lives, there are few artists out there who have been as transparent and honest as Morrissey has, whether it's pointing out the hypocrisy of the elite or offering a voice to the voiceless.

Here are just five ways that the legendary artist has proven himself to be way ahead of his time...


1/ Animal Rights and the Environment

Morrissey slayed the music world with his release of Meat is Murder (with The Smiths) back in 1985. Never had a public figure made such a bold statement in regards to the meat industry. His passion for animal rights has been evident throughout his life (with Morrissey himself having refrained from eating meat since childhood).

Since the early days of his career, he has been an outspoken proponent of the vegetarian/vegan diet, eagerly promoting the lifestyle in both lyrics and interviews, even when the topic was not met with warm reception. With the Quorn meat-alternative company only starting in the mid 80s, and the Linda McCartney vegetarian food range available only from the early 90s, Morrissey was way ahead of his time through famously promoting a diet that diminished animal cruelty and offered an alternative lifestyle. He made it okay to point out the violence of the meat industry in the public forum, instead of placating audiences who were perhaps too comfortable with their dietary choices.

In today's world of environmental issues and climate protestors, it is interesting to note the media regularly report that the meat industry is one of the main contributing factors and now promote meat-free diets as a way to help our environment.

“Serving meat and dairy at an event to combat climate change,” Morrissey once said, “is like selling pistols at a gun-control rally.”


2/ No Gender Stereotyping

It's an important thing, in 2019, to not feel hemmed in by society's outdated expectations of what it actually is to be a man or a woman. Just how much gender stereotypes effect people has become more evident over time, with more and more awareness being raised of how damaging it can be to individuals and society as a whole when we push people into tiny boxes according to our expectations. Morrissey has never appeared comfortable with the idea that he has to do certain things to be considered a so-called “real man” and has used his music career to challenge gender perceptions.

From the early days with The Smiths when Morrissey would stand, slender and beautiful, clutching onto flowers whilst taking centre stage, to the frank lyrics contained in I Am Not a Man (from the World Peace is None of Your Business album) he has not been held captive to any gender archetype:

“Don Juan, picaresque
Wife-beater vest
Cold hand, ice man
Warring caveman
Well if this is what it takes to describe
I'm not a man

Wheeler, dealer
Mover, shaker
Casanova
Beefaroni, but lonely
Well if this what it takes to describe
I'm not a man, I'm not a man....”

Looking at those lyrics and beyond, to the human Morrissey, who refused to live up to the archetype of the alpha male rockstar, promoting a lifestyle of excess, groupies, sex, drugs and rock n' roll, it is evident without much digging that Morrissey has not ever aligned himself with the expected, and has instead walked a path of individuality, not strangled by societies idea of “male bravado.”


3/ Standing up to Bullies: The Hell of Education

It's not a secret to anyone that bullying happens, and for some, the school years are the hardest. At a time in our world when people are encouraged to be themselves and to speak up when they are being targeted, bullied or mistreated, Morrissey has been far-ahead of the game. Outspoken about his hellish years at school at the hands of certain teachers (he explores this in his book, Autobiography) and comfortable with being honest about how bullying and mistreatment at school effected him, he even went on to pen a song rumoured to be about his early years – You Have Killed Me, which is seen as an anthem by many fans who also experienced hard times at school.

Even in adulthood, when the media seem to slander anyone who does not fit the dot-to-dot prerequisite for palatable reading, Morrissey faces demeaning headline after demeaning headline, yet he remains strong. Bullying has not silenced the real Morrissey, not then and not now. Instead it has birthed in him a view of life that is alien to some, but exquisite to those who have experienced similar suffering in their youth – there is healing in art and solace to be found.


4/ Women's Liberties

It's 2019. The world seems full to the brim of ideas about how women should (rightfully so) be treated as absolute equals in the world, yet there seems a discord in regards to what aspects of this topic can be tackled. When Morrissey spoke about his support of UK political party For Britain, many were up in arms. But what did they truly know about his support, beyond controversial snippets from the mainstream press?

The ill-treatment of many women in Islam is well-known, but receives little exposure in a climate overly concerned with political correctness. The plight of the female in the name of religion includes (but is not limited to) arranged marriage, genital mutilation, being forced to cover-up with head scarves and child marriage, yet Morrissey merely having an opinion is seen as extreme? It is surprising that not more people share the same concerns that Morrissey does.

Of course it seems obvious to many that Morrissey's big draw to the party stems from the fact that they are hugely active within animal rights, but one of the other main tenets of For Britain is the mistreatment of women due to religion. If this isn't an issue to be raised and analysed in 2019 (even if one doesn't agree with all policies of the party) then something must be going very wrong. Morrissey was ready for this conversation a long time ago – why does everyone else appear frightened to discuss it?


5/ Never Sell-Out: The Cost of Morals

A veteran in the music industry since the early 80s, Morrissey remains a creative force to be reckoned with to this day. In most ways, he has been – and continues to be – an artist like no other. His constant refusal to pander to the press and the music industry in general is a rarity amongst artists of his calibre. Many years ago, Morrissey said he would never attend the Brit Awards, which is an unheard of rebellion for any artist, and he has spent his entire career unsettling the status quo, rather than courting the media.

Whilst most public figures rely on these institutions (media, journalists and award ceremonies) to survive, Morrissey has frankly spun around and driven the other way. He simply doesn't believe in it. Ever the contrarian, it seems Morrissey does not want to be there simply as a “people pleaser.” He instead wants to be bold and have something worthy to say: if he merely wanted to please the press, he would not have produced the body of work he has today, for it would be lacking the truth and insight to which all of his output is heavily flavoured by.

Morrissey has become the remarkable figure he has because of his determination to walk the hard road - the rewards for him are much greater and more gratifying when he is true to himself. It's a concept we are only just beginning to appreciate in society – sticking to our guns, not selling out on our beliefs and morals, despite the hardships that may come with it, or the missed, quick-gained glories afforded by cheap compromise.

Morrissey's new single, "It's Over" is scheduled for release in the second week of November on the label BMG.
http://www.music-news.com/news/UK/125374/Read


Related items:
 
Wow. So much breathless bilge it's hard to pick a highlight, although this is one of my favourites: 'Many years ago, Morrissey said he would never attend the Brit Awards, which is an unheard of rebellion for any artist'. Right on, Moz.

Not forgetting the weird assertion that You Have Killed Me is about his schooldays, and the way she seems to have accredited Morrissey with Meat is Murder in its entirety (with the rest of The Smiths as his backing band).

My favourite Morrissey interview of recent-ish times is the Michael Deacon one from The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture...eaven-knows-hes-a-bit-less-miserable-now.html Here's someone who is a passionate, committed fan who actually knows his back catalogue but still manages to remain objective enough to call him 'surly and sour' in another interview and ask him cheeky questions about misguided trousers. He draws interesting stuff out of him on sex and religion, makes insightful observations and is properly funny, while still conveying the utmost respect. It's a masterclass in journalistic fan worship. That's how it's done, Fiona, love.
I’ve always enjoyed that interview from 2011. And miss ones like this, very much. Seems like much longer than 8 years ago...
 
Islam is a religion, not a race. If you don't like a religion that subjugates women, it doesn't make you racist.
Indeed, it doesn’t. The fact that he singles out Sadiq Khan for abuse on the basis that he has a London accent (like, er, Morrissey idols the Krays) makes him a racist; the fact that he says Germany shouldn’t accept immigrants because it’s disrespectful to those who died fighting for German “identity” (Nazis, then) makes him a racist; espousing a party that has a persistent problem with Nazi members and which invites a Holocaust denier to give a speech makes him a racist. Trying to pretend this is about defending women’s rights makes him a slippery, disingenuous prick.
 
Morrissey aired anti-immigration opinions and announced his support for the For Britain party.

In your book (not mine) that makes him a racist.

So ask yourself this - why do you persist in hanging out on a website devoted to a racist?
Because there’s a car-crash fascination is casually tracking the moral, physical and intellectual disintegration of a singer who once seemed so important. I’m also mildly curious to see how his lingering shreds of fanbase justify their continued admiration to themselves. And it’s always wise to keep an eye on the ways scumsucking racist twunts like you try to infiltrate communities to spread their garbage....though, frankly, you and the other prick who looks like Lyle Lovett reflected in a spoon are so predictable and ineffectual you barely merit monitoring.
 
Because there’s a car-crash fascination is casually tracking the moral, physical and intellectual disintegration of a singer who once seemed so important. I’m also mildly curious to see how his lingering shreds of fanbase justify their continued admiration to themselves. And it’s always wise to keep an eye on the ways scumsucking racist twunts like you try to infiltrate communities to spread their garbage....though, frankly, you and the other prick who looks like Lyle Lovett reflected in a spoon are so predictable and ineffectual you barely merit monitoring.
But a 24 hour, 7 days a week car crash fascination?

I take it you're writing this from the psychiatric hospital where you reside?
 
Sorry but that's just utter shite...& wtf is 'adjectivizing'?

Is that one of your president's new words, or one of the new US bastardisation buzzwords which the weak 'woke', in the UK, are about to start using?

King Kong? More like King Dong!

Beam me up, Scotty FFS

It's like in "bedroom window"...bedroom adjectivizes window.

It's pure linguistics.

Bedroom window = a window suitable for a bedroom.

The bedroom's window = the window belonging to that bedroom.

Gosh....it's so simple.
 
Indeed, it doesn’t. The fact that he singles out Sadiq Khan for abuse on the basis that he has a London accent (like, er, Morrissey idols the Krays) makes him a racist; the fact that he says Germany shouldn’t accept immigrants because it’s disrespectful to those who died fighting for German “identity” (Nazis, then) makes him a racist; espousing a party that has a persistent problem with Nazi members and which invites a Holocaust denier to give a speech makes him a racist. Trying to pretend this is about defending women’s rights makes him a slippery, disingenuous prick.
"The fact that he singles out Sadiq Khan for abuse on the basis that he has a London accent (like, er, Morrissey idols the Krays) makes him a racist"
Was it racist when he made fun of Marr's diction and the way he used to pronounce guitar without the "t". Was it racist when he made fun of the way Mary Nightingale speaks?
The difference between Khan and The Krays goes beyond skin color. Khan is a leader, the Krays are average Londoners. He'd obviously expect the Krays, two boys from the London alleyways, to have casual London accents. He just expects more from authority figures. This is obvious from his statement of incredulity: "The Mayor of London! And he can't even talk properly!" as if the idea is absurd. As if the mayor must be a patrician Rees Mog type... and there's nothing racist about that.

"says Germany shouldn’t accept immigrants because it’s disrespectful to those who died fighting for German 'identity' (Nazis, then) makes him a racist"
He never said Germany "shouldn't accept immigrants", and he wasn't speaking specifically about Germany. I think it's disingenuous of you to paint what he said as praise for the Nazis. He spoke about France and Turkey as well, then tied it all back to his beloved England. His comments were about mass-immigration and multiculturalism. He was speaking in fear of the complete erasure of a dominant culture through dilution. He's scared of the old England of his dreams being erased as a result of large amounts of people coming in and importing different cultures. This is not intrinsically racist. It is not intrinsically hateful. There's no doubt it can turn to hatred and racism, but Morrissey has never sufficiently demonstrated to me that his words are motivated for a hatred of other races, and not just an extreme love for England.
(I see his criticism of halal and FGM as a criticism of cultural practices, not hatred of those who practice them. Finding two cultures incompatible is not the same as racial hatred. It's a sideways step... but it's not the same.)

"espousing a party that has a persistent problem with Nazi members and which invites a Holocaust denier to give a speech makes him a racist."
Guilt by association, eh? What about the anti-semitism rife in the Labour party? Does that mean anyone who supports Corbyn is a racist? Do you think people support Labour because of some Holocaust deniers who were associated with the party, or because of the party's actual policies?

"Trying to pretend this is about defending women’s rights makes him a slippery, disingenuous prick."
He hasn't. He's muttered briefly about FGM, but made it clear that the two issues that concern him most are the issues of animal rights and maintenance of each country's national identity. Fiona attributed the women's rights concerns to him.
 
Looking forward to Morrissey's statement on the brave Bulgarian boys and how they were simply misunderstood in Sofia last night. Perhaps he'll go and play a concert there. Or, even better, record his new album out there.
How progressive and ahead of his time that would be
 
Looking forward to Morrissey's statement on the brave Bulgarian boys and how they were simply misunderstood in Sofia last night. Perhaps he'll go and play a concert there. Or, even better, record his new album out there.
How progressive and ahead of his time that would be

I can't believe how desperate you are, Skinny clone, to try & link the racist football thugs in Bulgaria to Morrissey. Just incredible.
I don't think you realise just how much of a complete dick posting this makes you look.
What a sad shit low life you are. Christ! Go & have a think.
Why on earth would Moz wish to comment on such a thing?
He's not a feckin' news/sports reporter, is he?
Stupid boy.
Go get your shoes on, it's time you were on your way to school.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
"The fact that he singles out Sadiq Khan for abuse on the basis that he has a London accent (like, er, Morrissey idols the Krays) makes him a racist"
Was it racist when he made fun of Marr's diction and the way he used to pronounce guitar without the "t". Was it racist when he made fun of the way Mary Nightingale speaks?
The difference between Khan and The Krays goes beyond skin color. Khan is a leader, the Krays are average Londoners. He'd obviously expect the Krays, two boys from the London alleyways, to have casual London accents. He just expects more from authority figures. This is obvious from his statement of incredulity: "The Mayor of London! And he can't even talk properly!" as if the idea is absurd. As if the mayor must be a patrician Rees Mog type... and there's nothing racist about that.

"says Germany shouldn’t accept immigrants because it’s disrespectful to those who died fighting for German 'identity' (Nazis, then) makes him a racist"
He never said Germany "shouldn't accept immigrants", and he wasn't speaking specifically about Germany. I think it's disingenuous of you to paint what he said as praise for the Nazis. He spoke about France and Turkey as well, then tied it all back to his beloved England. His comments were about mass-immigration and multiculturalism. He was speaking in fear of the complete erasure of a dominant culture through dilution. He's scared of the old England of his dreams being erased as a result of large amounts of people coming in and importing different cultures. This is not intrinsically racist. It is not intrinsically hateful. There's no doubt it can turn to hatred and racism, but Morrissey has never sufficiently demonstrated to me that his words are motivated for a hatred of other races, and not just an extreme love for England.
(I see his criticism of halal and FGM as a criticism of cultural practices, not hatred of those who practice them. Finding two cultures incompatible is not the same as racial hatred. It's a sideways step... but it's not the same.)

"espousing a party that has a persistent problem with Nazi members and which invites a Holocaust denier to give a speech makes him a racist."
Guilt by association, eh? What about the anti-semitism rife in the Labour party? Does that mean anyone who supports Corbyn is a racist? Do you think people support Labour because of some Holocaust deniers who were associated with the party, or because of the party's actual policies?

"Trying to pretend this is about defending women’s rights makes him a slippery, disingenuous prick."
He hasn't. He's muttered briefly about FGM, but made it clear that the two issues that concern him most are the issues of animal rights and maintenance of each country's national identity. Fiona attributed the women's rights concerns to him.

Good responses but don't waste your time & energy - leave that to them...these types won't read it, & even if they do, they'll turn & twist it to get an angle.
They see only what they want to see, & hear what they want to hear, & if it doesn't fit their agenda, then it's ignored...often this includes the truth which often gets in the way of the message they want to send. Pitiful.
 
I can't believe how desperate you are, Skinny clone, to try & link the racist football thugs in Bulgaria to Morrissey. Just incredible.
I don't think you realise just how much of a complete dick posting this makes you look.
What a sad shit low life you are. Christ! Go & have a think.
Why on earth would Moz wish to comment on such a thing?
He's not a feckin' news/sports reporter, is he?
Stupid boy.
Go get your shoes on, it's time you were on your way to school.

Pretty sure Morrissey has opined in the past about it...how he finds footage of football hooligans going on the rampage - "I'm mildly amused" Christ he's even sung songs on the subject.
 
Looking forward to Morrissey's statement on the brave Bulgarian boys and how they were simply misunderstood in Sofia last night. Perhaps he'll go and play a concert there. Or, even better, record his new album out there.
How progressive and ahead of his time that would be

they should round up all those peeps who rioted in Bulgaria and send them over to the cul de sac or to the Untruth block.
 
If this was written by Fiona Dodwell then she certainly knows her stuff.

"Sticking to your guns and not selling out on your beliefs and morals" is becoming a lot harder as the establishment try to mould us into a new-fangled globalist mindset, brainlessly satisfied customers who have happily dropped everything previously held dear (including their own countries). A people policed and threatened by the gullible (establishment tools) on social media if we dare to question a single thing.

In the coming years as more people wake up to certain realities Morrissey will be hailed for his so-called controversial comments and celebrated as the only person in the public eye to have spoken the truth.

For 'walking the hard road' he will be amply rewarded.

That whole thing was obviously written by morrissey.
Also how can anyone take Gobblewell seriously she is a shill, no life beyond doing morrissey PR. Who is more sad her or Morrissey for continuing to use her. Sad as f***.
 
spot on. I genuinely think it’s Sam. Fiona makes the same grammatical mistakes (we know Sam is thick - look at his photoshops and recent album art), and the questions ‘she’ has asked in the past are far too pointed towards what Morrissey would ask himself to be from someone else’s mind, and even the name Fiona Dodwell seems made up...

I suppose it’s the only way he can be seen to have positive press these days. Desperate and desperately ODD man indeed.

She's got apt credentials. She's a "published horror author".

https://studyparanormal.wordpress.com/books-by-fiona/
 
Tags
fiona dodwell

Trending Threads

Back
Top Bottom