how about 'you were a boy before you became a man'

king leer was supposed to be cleverly dopey! duh...brilliantly executed song.

King Leer is a fey, sly poetry at its best...
I liked this cute song a lot, especially a fine line about this dog chihuahua or whatever the spelling... And Nevin's music was kind of sly, flirting with your ears too... I bet this reader is totally devoid of both sense of humour and Camp... Poor lad... As of British music mags, we all kinda used to their's hating Moz with no apparent reason.. Maybe they are pissed off at him for leaving Dear Old Blighty for godless LA?

Ricki Lake

i wholeheartedly agree, that is the worst morrissey lyric ever. but even his worst is funny, and better than most peoples best!

I never minded "King Leer," but the words to "This is not your country" made me cringe. Bad song.

"...while you sleep I will creep into your heart like a bad debt that you can't pay take the easy way and give in..."

I like the actual melody and rhyme of the line but, "creep into your heart like a bad debt?" Come fucking on.

I never realised before, but if you looked at that line from a homosexual point of view, then it's actually pretty funny, if very rude. Perhaps that's the obvious interpretation and I just missed it entirey. Sorry, Am I lowering the tone of morrissey solo?

Morrissey lyrics are sometimes in the same vein as those of George Formby's. Some geddit, and some don't.

I always thought that line was kind of funny but my favorite goofy line is "I wear black on the outside, because black is how I feel on the inside" from Unloveable. Morrissey is one of the greatest lyrisists of all time, I think it is a bit unfair of Q to call him lazy, when he was probably trying to be funny.

Can't help wondering if the "surprising number of votes for King Leer" has something to do with the discussion in Rogan's book (Severed Alliance) about the song, which mentions the same line, in the same sneering tone...?
As for me, I agree with previous posters: I always quite liked that song and couldn't see what Rogan had against it ("I tried to surprise yer with Vodka, or Tizer...":)

But Moz's worst lyric is a controversial and more interesting topic than his best (too many to choose from). May I chip in with a suggestion from the Smiths days: never did like the suggestion that
"It's death for no reason/ And death for no reason is murder"
Regardless of whether eating animals is right or wrong, 'death for no reason' is *unfair*, but it ain't murder...
Any more suggestions?

Fox on the isle

Whether or not this is Morrissey's worst lyric is irrelevant. Who cares what the British music mags have to say. Those mags are good for only two things...kindling and toilet paper.

What matters are new lyrics which we've yet to see...I know it's gonna happen someday.

Morrissey lyrics are sometimes in the same vein as those of George Formby's. Some geddit, and some don't.
   
*erroneously posted as Anon.

The lyrics of "King Leer" may not be of the highest caliber, nor very good either from many perspectives, but to consider them in the ranks of the worst ever is just plain silly,dumb, ill-informed, ignorant of the existense of a band called Oasis, or all of the above.

Neither the music, the lyrics, of that song are not anywhere close to the top of my top favorite songs Morrissey's been involved with, but the vocal melodies of the song are quite amusing, clever, and sound very nice. That's what I liked most from the song. Everything else is either forgetable stuff or stuff you'd really prefer to forget.
Unfortunately for me, I can't forget the darn song. It's always on my mind because it's just so silly, but silly in a good way.

Shame on them why do they always pick on Morrissey?Why?Beacause their jealous that`s all.Look at all the rubbish out there that is called music today they would have a myriad of bad lyrics to choose from,for example limp bizkit,broccoli,or eiminem they would have plenty of ammunition there.Morrissey writes the most beautiful, poetic, profound,sensitive lyrics ever.And to say that line from "King Leer" is one of the worst ever is just wrong.Anyway I`ve always loved the" The Kill Uncle" record "Driving Your Girlfriend Home" is a beautiful song and "Sing Your Life "is fabulous and "King Leer" is a cute,funny song.As someone said before I always thought the chihuahua line was fantastic.Oh well I guess people always try to put down what they don`t understand.Or what they`re jealous of.Morrissey deserves praise for his beautiful lyrics because today`s music scene is devoid of anything meaningful.It`s all souless and empty.Morrissey`s songs are real and poetic and beautiful and are the only songs I could ever relate to.So Morrissey deserves praise not put downs.And he IS a poet!And As Always Good Night And Thank You, Tibby

Lighten up, MOrrissey wrote a really bad lyric. Yes, he's the greatest lyricist ever, but even he isn't perfect.

That it's MEANT to be silly is not lost on me. It's still a terrible song on an atrocious album. In short, I don't think Q was necessarily wrong to include this on this list or poll or whatever.

Standing on one knee is romantic, while standing on two knees is the begging position. Upon closer inspection the lover who pretended to be giving (romantic) was actually thinking selfishly of oneself (begging) but did not have strong enough personal character (which all persons should have strong personal character) afterall were are born the ability to obtain it like we are born with two knees walk about while our character moves us to treat people honestly, especially those we profess to love.

              :)Well said Morrissey:)

I've always LOVED that song!!

"I tried to surprise you - I lay down beside you,and...nothing much happened, and you didn't phone me, you didn't even phone me...because it's not your style to dial...**sniff**..."

PERFECT!

bitching on morrissey lyrics is fun, it doesn't mean we don't mutter them compulsively (well I do anyway). by the way has anyone either:

1.Lost a 'large' girlfriend by singing 'you're the one for me fatty' in a misguided act of romance.
2.Tried to score with your best mates girl/instigate an orgy with the line 'i know you love one person so who cant you love two?'

Or is this just me?

worst morrissey lyric: all of now i am a was, that's such an indulgently smug song

Could I be the first to put the boot into Maladjusted-era Morrissey... "Roy's Keen" is undoubtedly his worst lyric, ever.
"I've never seen a keener/Window cleaner"... etc
For those not lucky (?) enough to live in the British Isles, the whole thing's made unforgiveable by the fact that it all seems to be a 'pun' on well-known football (ie soccer) player Roy Keane's name.
Aside from that, I agree that while it's gratifying to air these little annoyances, of course many of Moz's lyrics are poetic, beautiful and have given me much pleasure over the years - the man's not infallible, that's all.

Don Phlegme

I really doubt even morriseey would defend "kill uncle", i suppose everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but please. I would be hard pressed to think of a song that i liked on "kill uncle", although i quite liked the title.
  To the person who said the british music press would find worse lyrics by eminem: Have you er listened to much eminem? I realise most people here probably hate eminem, and i'm sure morrissey would probably be disgusted that someone claiming to be a fan of his music actually likes eminem, but to like morrissey does not require me to adopt every opinion of his as my own. In truth eminem is as good a lyricist as morrissey and you would know this if you had ever listened to one of his albums. There's not a single line on "kill uncle" of any worth, and it is a wonder he wasn't sued for the blatant rip off that was "mute witness".

I never could stand Q.

I think what everyone is missing here is, why is Q picking on a - quite frankly - obscure Morrissey song as the worst lyric ever? King Lear was not even a single on arguably Morrissey's worst record. The fact that people would actually write in a song that virtually no-one has heard as the worst lyric ever only goes to show how legendary of a person Morrissey has become. More likely than not, however, this journalist has some unfound grudge against Moz and just made up that bit about people writing in King Lear for worst lyric. Massive amounts of people being disturbed by such an obscure song is totally unheard of. Frankly, this is just a case of a Journalist who lied...ehem!

To the person that said emenim was as good a lyricist as Morrissey you couldn`t be more wrong!Morrissey writes with sensitivity and intellect.That so called person eminem sings about beating up gay people(I won`t use the derogatory terms he uses)and about violence towards women.I don`t know about you but I certainly don`t call that art.I call that hate.And by the way I would never listen to or buy that trash.And to say that there is nothing worthwhile on the "Kill Uncle" record is not only wrong it`s completely unfair.What about" Driving Your Girlfriend Home" or "Sing Your Life".It may not be your cup of tea but there are people like me and a few others on this page who do indeed love the album and appreciate and enjoy Morrissey`s since of humor on the song "King Leer".So in conclusion Morrissey is a beautiful artist and poet.And eminem is definetly not!

Best Morrissey lyric: 'So I broke into the palace, with a sponge and a rusty spanner, she said: 'eh I know you and you cannot sing', I said: 'that's nothing you should hear me play piano'' and then the rest of his lyrics.......hmm

Worst Morrissey lyric: hmm, can't really think of any..........maybe the live version I heard of 'Hairdresser on fire' where he sings 'when he said: 'I wanna screw you' I felt so happy for you' - Morrissey's not supposed to swear but then again, when he eventually does, he does it with style so it's perfectly fine with me anyway! hehe

As far as 'King Leer' is concerned then SHEESH! I don't see why that line can have any potential to be on that 'worst lyrics ever'-list?! Humour folks - that's all it is! Don't take it THAT serious when he sings 'well, could it be that he's just got one knee?'........

"She lives in a house/she's stupid as a mouse". (Suede)

king leer is my favorite morrissey song...i cant believe with all the crap out there they chose that song... i think this poll he took was just amongs dumbasses like him...suprisingly number of votes? come on most people dont even know who the hell morrissey is let alone one of his lesser known songs even among us...this is crap

Morrissey is a creamy lyrical God.
THE END.

Ever aging (6 days baby,yeah!)
DeB of the West Sider Riders.

P.S. Nuts to the lyrics, who can explain the monstrosity of THE HEARING AID PHASE. I MEAN, COME ON PEOPLE!!!!!!!!

Of course I am aware of the statements Morrissey has made in the past concerning the subject of violence for example things such as football violence and his appreciation for the sport of boxing ect...and I think that is fine I also enjoy watching a boxing match every now and again but that doesn`t make me or people who enjoy it violent people.In fact I am a shy sensitive person.(By the way he also said that one of the reasons he did not like rap was it`s total disrespect for women )But I digress. The difference is Morrissey never singled out a group of people or members the opposite gender and made them a target for violence.On the contrary his lyrics were ambiguous so everybody could relate to them gay or straight male or female.They also had a beautiful sensitivity that remains unmatched to this very day.That person eminem has none of those qualities.I do admit that I don`t listen to him but I have heard snippets here and there and they are the ones that contain remarks about beating up gay people or violence towards women.And that is just not is art or good storytelling it`s just hate.I don`t have to listen to one of his whole albums (I wouldn`t want to anyway )to know this.I don`t care if critics say oh he`s a great storyteller and he`s nominated for countless awards or he can`t be homophobic he performed a song with elton john.So what I still think he`s a homophobe and of no artistic merit whatsoever.And it is very sad as some of you have said before that some teenagers think that this trash is cool and some are probably sad to say influenced by this.But please don`t get me wrong I don`t believe in censorship.The fault lies with channels like MTV who endlessly play that so called music and the consumers who buy that rubbish.How can anybody call him a great storyteller with songs like slim shady one of the most annoying songs on earth you couldn`t escape from that one.Eminem is not even in the same league as Morrissey in fact he is nowhere near it!Morrissey the beautiful man who wrote these beautiful words "It`s so easy to laugh it`s so easy to hate it takes strength to be gentle and kind"is in a league all his own.That IS poetry that is art.P.S you know this is not a put down but Bean ted nugent I thought you were a fellow veggie could you please explain?Why on earth do you like that incredibly gross mean man who kills animals for fun ?From what I`ve read you seem like a kind compassionate person so why ted nugent?I hope it was a joke!Well As Always Good Night And Thank You

i mean...come on, King Leer is a great poetic song. whoever can't see that must be either really ignorant or just plain stupid. that has to be one of my fav songs...that line in particular....i mean isn't true?? girls get so happy when they're proposed to, but how many times do "they" really mean it??....Morrissey, obviously saw through the whole facade!!! (nothing against the guys).

Mr.Biffo 2001-You have explained your feelings quite well but I still completely disagree with you,especially the part about eminem being as great a lyricist as Morrissey even you have to admit that is completely untrue eminem is completely out of Morrissey`s league as I said before he is no where near it.Morrissey is pure poetry.I guess we`ll just have to agree to disagree.You see I don`t like rap it just doesn`t appeal to me.The reasons are that most of it shows complete disreguard for women and tends to promote violence as a glamourous lifestyle.And musically it just doesn`t do anything for me.And I really don`t think that`s needed with all the school shootings and other violence that goes on today. I`m not apologizing for my opinion of rap just explaining it.By the way The Moz is a racist allegations are untrue he has denied that he is racist several times.I mean come on give him a break what else does he have to say or do?And I still say"The Kill Uncle" record is fantastic,"King Leer" is a great song I don`t care what anybody else says I also love "Sing Your Life"(it`s also really great on the KROQ single) and think that "Driving Your Girlfriend Home" is a wonderful beautiful song.And to call this record and these songs bad is unfair and untrue.P.S.Bean thanks for explaining I knew I was right about you being a kind,compassionate, intelligent person.-:)Well As Always Again Good Night And Thank You,-Tibby

Moz was being funny. That guy get's on one knee, while he'd get on both. It's called wit!

Well, I don't think it's fair comparing Morrissey to Eminem, but I remind you that the world has also good music besides Morrissey. And since we are talking about comparison, why not trying to be fairer: I'd suggest that we compare Morrissey to the Tindersticks and we could also include the late Ian Curtis in that. I did that and I could not find the best of them, because I concluded that within each one's specific trend, they are/were the most brilliant. I've been having interesting chats here asking my friends who they think to be more depressive, and it's quite surprising that they (including me btw) are pointing to the Tindersticks mostly. A rather interesting exercise is try to find each one's individuality and what's the message that each one of them conveys. For the world is plenty of them.

Yo, Mr Hand in Glove, I kinda' like you'r risky name,
But are you bluffin', or are you up to play the game?
So you are a drama major, you are the Drama Queen?
You ask me about this Eminem dude, let's honest talk begin...
See, in rock-n-roll 90% of lyrics plain sucks,
Cause lot of 'em musician guys are on the ropes, dope, acid, crack and smack...
They ain't fuckin' give a sh*t...
Play gag, get f*cked up and laid, the lyrics takes
a backseat...
Many a dozen greats like Iggy (Pop), Alice (Cooper) even Mike Jagger,
Had sh*tty lyrics, rotten poetry, lame rhyme...
But they had compensated it with that r'and'r swagger,
Originality, emotion, erotics, inner goodness,
Rebellion, contortions, that punky moodness,
O brothah, be you boy or girl or breeder or a fag
By listenin' to real good shit you outta follow my track,
When James Brown or Ice Cube or Lauren Hill are belting their hearts out...
You know, they are for fuckin' real,
They really mean what they say, not jerkin' with ya around...
About that boy Eminem, he may be a clever mo f*cker,
He got his formula shit, he got his market,
he got those two-bit stoopid teens for a sucker,
He got that sellout' old make-up queen Elton John on his train...
Greed & Violence and Bunch of Sh*te is his real friggin' name...
He is slimy, shady, blond and lanky,
In front of his kiddo he giveth his "bitch" a revolver-whipping, boot-spanking...
People from the Doors, Stooges and Led Zep could get screwed up as well..
They could go out, get high and raise hell...
But they would inflict the damage only on themselves...
They knew how treat nice'n'generous their wifes & girlfriends & boyfriends...
They took a stand for rebellion, for respect to the creative freaks, for the Love on the Land...
they were a peace & drugs & love gang...
While Eminem is laughing at us all the way to the bank....

AFKA Bean

Oops. Typo!
Outta read:
"Play gig, get f*cked up and laid, the lyrics takes a backseat..."

AFKA Bean

This is to reply to anonymous the one who replied to my "Singing The Praises Of Morrissey"comments.But first a warning I will be using a few objectional words but I think it is necessary to use them to illustrate my point.I don`t like using them because I don`t swear but as I said I think to make my point it is necessary.Now as I have stated before I don`t believe that artists or so called artists(eminem) should be censored . Now saying that they do hold responsibility for what they say.And I don`t think that important issues should be swept under the carpet and people should just listen to fluff all day long.By the way I think my pasts posts have proven this.And Of course I am aware that in the past Morrissey`s lyrics have been misinterpreted and of course those who did misinterpret them were completely wrong.I have not changed my mind about eminem he is vile ,filthy and disgusting and a homophobe.And how he can be called a great storyteller a good lyricist and is nominated for countless awards is totally unfathomable to me.And then for a TRUE artist like Morrissey not to get recognized for his truly beautiful poetic lyrics is wrong.For example the gentle and kind lyric in "I Know It`s Over" and of course the entire song and of his compassion for animals in "Meat Is Murder" a subject that no other artist before had discussed with such conviction.Another example is the ambiguous nature of his songs which were there so that everybody could relate to them.Also the way he put the male in the vunerable place usually reserved for the woman(for example "She`s too rough and I`m too delicate")no artist would do that today and it took tremendous courage to do so.That makes him a bigger man for having the guts to do that.As he said women were usually exploited in the world of rock and roll and he wanted to change this.As for eminem now let`s see he writes about harming his wife in the song "Kim" .Here`s a sample lyric I believe it is "bleed bitch bleed."He also uses the term faggot and I also believe he uses flaming faggot. Which we all know is a derogatory term for homosexual.I certainly don`t call that good storytelling or good lyrics I call it sick, sick ,sick.And as I said before I don`t think imporant issues should be swept under the rug as I said before my past posts should prove this.So can you tell me the important issues eminem is trying to discuss by using the terms bitch and faggot ? That so called person is eminem is no better then those sick people who stood outside of Matthew Shepard`s funeral with signs that said things like Matthew is in hell.Why would they do such a thing ?The answer is simply because he was gay and according to them it was wrong because there religion said it was .When in fact if you are a spiritual person ?"(btw there is a difference between being religious and spiritual) then you would know that that is completely wrong.People are just born the way that they were born and shouldn`t be made a target or subjected to violence and namecalling simply because they were born gay.Spiritual people know that everybody deserves kindness and compassion. So maybe it doesn`t offend you or it`s not a big deal to you but maybe someone, someday will target your particular group and it won`t be so funny anymore.If he used vile words like nigger or any other racial epithet they wouldn`t play his video on Mtv but I guess since his ignorance is directed at gays and women it doesn`t matter to them.By the way I received the info to his lyrics from an Mtv special of all places called "When Lyrics Kill " or Hurt I believe that is was something like that. I am not trying to tell people what they should or should not listen to or trying to be holier than thou .I`m` just trying to to give a little insight on why I feel the way I feel.And why hateful messages like eminem`s can be damaging.Oh and I did just find out that little Versace verse was his and not yours but I believe his went" checkin out the male" and yours went "cheque in the mail".Well all I can say is his wasn`t funny and yours wasn`t either.You can say

Read the rest of this comment...

"I was looking for a job, and then I found a job"
Not one of his finest.

To Hand In Glove first of all thank you for your nice comments and yes I completely agree with you that being a Morrissey devotee makes me feel so incredibly special.And to Mr.Biffo as have you as I said before you have explained yourself quite well as have you Hand In Glove.And I`m glad you agree with me on some of my points but on the subject of eminem we will have to agree to disagree( your not going to change my mind about loathing him and I don`t think I`m going to change yours about liking him).You seem to be an intelligent person as does Hand In Glove and actually it`s not people like you that I worry about.I worry about teens and some adults. that may have problems in their lives and may think it`s okay to take them out on other people(women and gays) because they are impressionable and eminem raps about it .Being adults most of us know that it`s not okay but some of his listeners may take him literally.And to me that is a frightning thought.But to Hand In Glove and Mr. Biffo thank you for your lovely comments and for the intelligent discussion of your feelings and for respecting mine.It`s so nice to have an intelligent conversation.Well as always Good Day And Thank You-Tibby:) How I Love All Of The Very Mozzer Things Of Life...