Australian Paul Kelly has been writing and recording hit songs for decades. In an article recounting his career, he acknowledges Morrissey's outstanding way with words -

Paul Kelly reveals the stories behind the songs - The Sydney Morning Herald

Excerpt:

"...DANTE, Dickens, Tolstoy and Morrissey knew how to begin. In the middle of the journey of my life I found myself in a dark wood. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. All happy families are alike, all unhappy families are unhappy in their own way. Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking when I said I'd like to smash every tooth in your head. Morrissey has a real knack – nearly every first line of the Smiths' songs is a killer..."