Morrissey A-Z: "Boxers"

Is the cover star Nino Benvenuti? I remember trying and failing to find out who it was at the time, but some years later I think Benvenuti’s name came up in an article or a conversation (perhaps here?), about the record.

Benvenuti failed to win a world title, retired, and then became an actor.

If the EP was a precursor to Southpaw, I think the song Boxers would’ve fitted better on Vauxhall. Whatever Happens would’ve slotted into Southpaw, seamlessly.
 
I love it mainly for the vocal and the lyrical theme. The words themselves are a bit slight.

It's really all about the voice and the emotion and yearning it conveys.
 
Is the cover star Nino Benvenuti? I remember trying and failing to find out who it was at the time, but some years later I think Benvenuti’s name came up in an article or a conversation (perhaps here?), about the record.

Benvenuti failed to win a world title, retired, and then became an actor.

If the EP was a precursor to Southpaw, I think the song Boxers would’ve fitted better on Vauxhall. Whatever Happens would’ve slotted into Southpaw, seamlessly.
It's Billy Conn on the UK cover.

I love the US cover, one of my favourite Morrissey solo sleeves. (Photo by Jake.)

BoxersUS.jpg
 
I love it mainly for the vocal and the lyrical theme. The words themselves are a bit slight.

It's really all about the voice and the emotion and yearning it conveys.

folks are also saying the song as a whole is light, etc as if that were a bad thing.


If that’s the case, I wonder what they thought of ‘My Love Life’?
I mean it’s not the first time he released a non-rocker as a single.

I don’t think it matters how good the material Morrissey was releasing by the 90’s onward, the critics seemed to have their knives out even before hearing the song, ready to pounce.


As for the song, if it doesn’t move one then one must be dead. And who else could write about Boxers in that way? in a better world it would have been a hit.


“And I have to dry my eyes “


Moz classic !!!


:handfist: :bell: :hammer:
 
Last edited:
I believe so. A few more minutes and someone will come along to confirm with certainty...
Nothing is certain on Moz-Solo...except that Surface will shoehorn a New Order reference into every thread and Skinny will post something very silly...but that's why we love it so.
 
“A weekly boxing list compiled by Michael Rosenthal. This week: Songs about boxers. Obviously, there are too many to count.

1. The Boxer: Simon and Garfunkel
2. Boxers: Morrissey
3. Hurricane: Bob Dylan
4. The Hitter: Bruce Springsteen
5. Boxing: Ben Folds Five
6. Who Killed Davey Moore: Bob Dylan
7. King Joe, Part 1: Count Basie
8. Boom Boom Mancini: Warren Zevon
9. I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson: DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince
10. Black Superman: Johnny Wakelin & the Kinshasa Band ”

 
“A weekly boxing list compiled by Michael Rosenthal. This week: Songs about boxers. Obviously, there are too many to count.

1. The Boxer: Simon and Garfunkel
2. Boxers: Morrissey
3. Hurricane: Bob Dylan
4. The Hitter: Bruce Springsteen
5. Boxing: Ben Folds Five
6. Who Killed Davey Moore: Bob Dylan
7. King Joe, Part 1: Count Basie
8. Boom Boom Mancini: Warren Zevon
9. I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson: DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince
10. Black Superman: Johnny Wakelin & the Kinshasa Band ”

The Hitter is an amazing song. Another brooding boxing story set to understated music, thematically not unlike Boxers.
 
An absolutely beautiful song, the lyrics make it.

"The sound, the smell and the spray
You'll take them all away
And they'll stay... til the grave...."
 
I don’t know about never finding these qualities in a boz song but this description fits this song to t

“Alain's gift for melancholy and serenity”
 
It’s a belter
That second Hammersmith gig in 15 when it got revived in the set list was a magical 3 mins or so. One of the best ever surprises and certainly most welcome set list wise.
 
Remember walkin' in the store and seein' this single on the shelf.
It was a nice surprise and it was followin' right after all the Vauxhall stuff.
Back in them days, ya really had to check the stores a lot more, cause ya
never really knew just what ya might find.
Most sports or endeavor's of achievement are really more about losin' than
winnin' for most folks.
What's so great about winnin' at boxin' anyways?
Just so ya can walk around and have folks call ya "champ" all the time?
Haha. Who cares.
 
The Hitter is an amazing song. Another brooding boxing story set to understated music, thematically not unlike Boxers.
very Dylanesque.

Morrissey has a way with a economy of words,melody and tone paints such a rich and impactful picture.

a poetic punch :cool:
 
may have been on Morrissey’s radar
around that time ...

Champion 1949 Kirk Douglas

a clip



Remember walkin' in the store and seein' this single on the shelf.
It was a nice surprise and it was followin' right after all the Vauxhall stuff.
Back in them days, ya really had to check the stores a lot more, cause ya
never really knew just what ya might find.
Most sports or endeavor's of achievement are really more about losin' than
winnin' for most folks.
What's so great about winnin' at boxin' anyways?
Just so ya can walk around and have folks call ya "champ" all the time?
Haha. Who cares.
 
Tags
morrissey a-z
Back
Top Bottom