"Morrissey as Existential Hero" by Kevin Michael Klipfel - Ethos Review

A new article called "Morrissey as Existential Hero" is available from Ethos Review on the timelessness and appeal of Morrissey's lyrics.

An excerpt:

"What Morrissey captures is not the pain of being a teenager; he captures—with constant wit and humor that is often overlooked—the underlying struggle of human life, which existential psychology summarizes in four “givens of existence”: (i) our coming to terms with the fact that we must die; (ii) the difficulty of taking responsibility for our ultimate freedom to lead authentic lives; (iii) our isolation from others; and (iv) the search for meaning in a world where none is antecedently given. Morrissey knows how hard these things are to do and has made that his subject matter. In this sense, Morrissey is a classic existential hero—he knows what nothing means and keeps on playing—and, in a Nietzschean spirit, his art brings us back from our difficulties to a fuller acceptance of life. As J.D. Salinger once said, “God have mercy on the lonely bastard.”"
 
Morrissey today represents those who have not really moved forward spiritually or intellectuality since they were sixteen. It is an extraordinary failing as a human being to decide you are incontrovertibly right as a youth and stay with that throughout your life, but his public persona seems to indicate that is precisely what has happened,
 
Morrissey today represents those who have not really moved forward spiritually or intellectuality since they were sixteen. It is an extraordinary failing as a human being to decide you are incontrovertibly right as a youth and stay with that throughout your life, but his public persona seems to indicate that is precisely what has happened,

Once again the failure is not with Morrissey but with you. You'll never hit that curve ball that Morrissey's throwing until you move forward, spiritually and intellectually and start to listen to what he's singing.

This is a well written article by a person who understands the philosophical and artistic essence of the artist known as Morrissey. The author understands why Morrissey's art is timeless and resonates with people who actually think about the nature of existence and what it is to be human regardless of age or sex.

I've been trying in my fumbling , stumbling way to say something like this on several occasions but probably failed. Thanks for posting this....I enjoyed it.

Ann Powers wrote a very good review of Morrissey's latest album on NPR. If you enjoyed this article check her review....http://www.npr.org/2014/07/06/326925957/first-listen-morrissey-world-peace-is-none-of-your-business
 
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sweet i love me some npr and wait wait dont tell me etc. ill have to look that up as they do a lot of nice musical pieces and first listens
 
Morrissey today represents those who have not really moved forward spiritually or intellectuality since they were sixteen. It is an extraordinary failing as a human being to decide you are incontrovertibly right as a youth and stay with that throughout your life, but his public persona seems to indicate that is precisely what has happened,

For the most part, I agree with what you say on these boards, but I think you've missed the mark here. I've noticed an enormous shift in Morrissey's lyrical style from the days of The Smiths through to now. His opinions have evolved like most everyone else's, as have the ways he chooses to make his points.

For what it's worth, though, the classic existentialist hero is Meurseault from Camus' The Stranger, and I see quite a few parallels between that character and Morrissey. Only difference is, unlike Meurseault, Morrissey is one of history's great mama's boys.
 
For the most part, I agree with what you say on these boards, but I think you've missed the mark here. I've noticed an enormous shift in Morrissey's lyrical style from the days of The Smiths through to now. His opinions have evolved like most everyone else's, as have the ways he chooses to make his points.

For what it's worth, though, the classic existentialist hero is Meurseault from Camus' The Stranger, and I see quite a few parallels between that character and Morrissey. Only difference is, unlike Meurseault, Morrissey is one of history's great mama's boys.

That's good...and it may be true. Even a mama's boy may have something to say about life. Freud was a mama's boy....

Meurseault is a character in a novel by Camus. Morrissey is a real person.
 
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Morrissey today represents those who have not really moved forward spiritually or intellectuality since they were sixteen. It is an extraordinary failing as a human being to decide you are incontrovertibly right as a youth and stay with that throughout your life, but his public persona seems to indicate that is precisely what has happened,

Johnny, in knowing a great deal of Morrissey fans, I couldn't agree with you more. That's not to say that ALL Morrissey fans are stunted in their spiritual and/or intellectual growth, of course.
His lyrics may have currently changed in content or focus, but his behavior still shows that he is a self-absorbed, self-entitled teenager. That is apparent in ridiculous decisions such as having his band wear "f*** HARVEST" t-shirts during their sets; you can't possibly get any more juvenile than that. And if you don't think that's juvenile and completely unnecessary, then chances are it's because you think with as much of a juvenile mentality.
 
i hated that book, the stranger, as i think the plague was his best and honestly his only really good book. the possessed wasnt to bad but give me mathieu and his road any day. or even essays in existentialism. no exit is also of course amazing just sayin
 
The article is interesting. I do agree that the lyrics can resonate with a wide audience because love/unrequited love, unfairness, sadness, etc is part of the human condition.

The author writes that Morrissey maintained he was "a very positive person" who is "very happy" in response to Craig Kilborn mentioning that Morrissey's lyrics are sometimes disturbing and sad. To Morrissey's response I say, "BULLSHIT". As recent as this month, he stated in an interview, "It is unusual, I think, to be suicidal, yet to suddenly find success because you ARE suicidal.". That's what fueled his lyrics, both Smiths and Morrissey lyrics, sadness/depression to the point of feeling suicidal. So what's with him saying that he was happy (in one interview) and then saying he was suicidal in another?
 
i never found morrissey songs or lyrics to be sad or about depression. i most found them to be angry, composed, revolted, amused and laughing slyly, bitterly, and sternly in the face of very very scary themes. i got into morrissey because hes a fighter not a sad man being sad. morrisseys lyrics dont have any elements of him hating himself which i think is a big part of depression be contextual or biological in origin
 
very very scary themes.

Right. Reminds me why I never gwo see Mow on Halloween. Those very very scary themes!

-Hang on, I think I see Freddy Krueger playing castanets in the garden! Sounds like he's singing as well...Although, what, I'm not entirely sure...Sounds like a very scary ballad...about a little duck that can't swim...
"Drag the river", 'think it's called.
 
Morrissey today represents those who have not really moved forward spiritually or intellectuality since they were sixteen. It is an extraordinary failing as a human being to decide you are incontrovertibly right as a youth and stay with that throughout your life, but his public persona seems to indicate that is precisely what has happened,

It was only a matter of time before you had to weigh in with some corny lightweight commentary. Have you listened to All You Need Is Me lately? It was written just for you :)
 
well to me death is a very very scary thing especially the death of those i love and are close to me. being old enough to have gone through this now a few times over it does cause fear in me. i do think it scary when he sings mother i can feel the soil flowing over my head. its not the death he fears is it but the separation from mother, which is why he calls to her and doesnt just say no no no. maybe that doesnt scare you but it does me. more and more every time i go through it
 
It was only a matter of time before you had to weigh in with some corny lightweight commentary. Have you listened to All You Need Is Me lately? It was written just for you :)

Right....you know that he didn't read the article and if he did he wouldn't understand it.

Also, some anonymous posters have something decent to say....but how do you know who's who? If you engage one in conversation another one may respond :confused:....they should register.
 
Right....you know that he didn't read the article and if he did he wouldn't understand it.

Also, some anonymous posters have something decent to say....but how do you know who's who? If you engage one in conversation another one may respond :confused:....they should register.

I have no idea what you're talking about. You've lost me.
 

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