Living legend and often feisty former Smiths frontman, Morrissey turns 67 on May 22. An age that hasn't necessarily mellowed him. If anything, he appears a bit more outspoken and argumentative toward those he sees as oppressors and tormentors.
That hasn't truly worked out to his benefit, but maybe he doesn't care. He has always welcomed being seen as a trouble-maker, but in his view, he is doing what is right. Somewhat surprising political views be damned.
He hasn't always been kind to his fans, either. He cancels far more concerts for various reasons than do other well-known musicians. He has a troubled health, it appears.
On Morrissey's 67th birthday, three hidden gems that remain vibrant
Still, he has given us far too much elite music, which the excellent wordsmith has been able to write and deliver vocally in such a way that we often feel he is speaking for us. That is a magic trick most people simply can never have. Some supreme examples are the songs below.
"Speedway"
On the otherwise poppy and subdued Vauxhall and I comes this ending number that is far heavier. The chainsaw sound near the beginning is fairly abrupt, too, but what makes this song terrific is the lyrics. Morrissey, as he does when he is at his best, speaks for all of us, not just for himself.
The rage is real, sure, but there is also a tenderness, too. The connection to the subject might no longer be for the singer, but the loyalty remains. That basically sums up how many of Moz's devotees might feel now and forever.
"Driving Your Girlfriend Home"
The brilliance of the tune from Kill Uncle comes in how the icon structures the lyrics. He is simply driving a female home while she rants a bit about her boyfriend, one assumes. But Morrissey is clever enough to include when she tells him to turn.
Musically, this is about as close as anyone could make a song with lyrics that one might hear while doing such a simple task. Somehow, Mox delivers the track so that it would seem to be in the car with him. We are in the backseat, observing as much as he is just trying to get the person home.
"Best Friend on the Payroll"
By far the least lyrically diverse song on this list, the track from the underrated Southpaw Grammar is a simple rager. Still, in only a few words, Morrissey says more than most songwriters will say in a lifetime. And we are left to question.
Clearly, there is an affair going on, but with whom? And why will the relationship not necessarily work out? Is this whole thing just for a bit of fun? Inquiring minds want to know, but Morrissey refuses to tell us.
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