I can’t quite picture the average Morrissey fan based on the comments on this site—who are you people, really?

[TheSmiths_1985]

he has said it many times,he doesnt have any interests apart from music and films.

That doesn’t mean it’s true.

 

[gordyboy9]

That doesn’t mean it’s true.

then that applies to every word said on here.

 

[No 27]

And eating out Damon

Well, we knew he must have some motive for lugging all those bags around.

 

[goinghome]

Another theory about fans posits them as attracted by Morrissey's enactment of martyrdom, in an essay called,
"Speedway for Beginners: Morrissey, Martyrdom and Ambiguity", by Eoin Devereux and Aileen Dillane, in the essay collection, Morrissey Fandom (2011)

“martyr” has two meanings, both of which are played on in this song [Speedway] and both of which find expression in the song structure itself. The concepts of martyr and of ambiguity are intrinsically linked. Morrissey as “martyr for the cause” is very evident in this song in terms of his demand for freedom of expression in one’s performance life, or indeed even in one’s sexual orientation (both of which are played out through the persona of Wilde). This martyr is charismatic, authoritative, a leader and one who inspires devotion with almost saintly devotion. To be a martyr, however, is also to be someone who plays for empathy, who seeks attention. Thus the martyr persona as performative category is equally ambiguous – a genuine hero-sufferer versus an indulgent seeker of sympathy. This doubleness...

...Conclusion: Morrissey does not just perform ‘Speedway’. ‘Speedway’ performs martyrdom, ambiguity and Morrissey himself, in all his multiple personae, as Wilde and as martyr/saint/priest. Songs are not merely reflective of society, telling a story of what has happened. To paraphrase Jacques Attali, songs and music may be predictive of society, engaged in a recursive process where they make and are made. ‘Speedway’ can only be interpreted in relation to its social and historical context, but it draws also upon a rich tapestry of allusions to other traditions, religious ideas and iconic figures (e.g. Wilde, Jesus). In this way, ‘Speedway’ invites multiple readings, of which this has been, we hope, a compelling one. As the final track on what many believed at the time to be Morrissey’s very last record, ‘Speedway’ served to perpetuate Morrissey’s construction of himself as a martyr. Tropes of martyrdom were in evidence from the early days of The Smiths and continue to be present in Morrissey’s more recent work. In presenting himself as a martyr, Morrissey manages to side with the oppressed whilst at the same time be narcissistic. Such explicit connections with the oppressed provides a very interesting set of contexts in which many fans connect with their anti-heroic icon.

Morrissey’s use of martyrdom, we concede, may also however function at an ironic level. His presentation of himself as one of the persecuted (as Joan of Arc; St Sebastian; Oscar Wilde; Padre Pio; Jesus) may simply be an ironic device that he deliberately uses to send up the music press that has consistently represented him as tortured and condemned.

- https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/M/bo11338882.html

 

[Maudlin Street]

Yes, I’m in the US. Most of his touring seems like it’s in the US and UK at this point, and with the way he’s been badmouthing the UK lately, maybe that’ll mean even more concerts for us Americans lol.

Wow. I guess I was right about this
(As long as he shows, of course...)

 

[MarkoRoll]

OK, so I will post here after lurking for like 10+ years. I am in 30s, listening for years, but... my fandom is limited to the music mainly and some funny clips quotes of Morrissey. I am aware of the major controversies back to the 1980s from some light research. I long ago separated the art from the artist, and in fact, I agree with a lot of controversial things, in some sense, the cancellations have never bothered me and never would as I am also a canceller (go figure)

I am successful in my career, married, well-adjusted enough (to the untrained eye), and think Morrissey is an awesome awesome artist. It's taken me years to work through his output properly I have recently been getting into ROTT and only recently properly revisiting his newer stuff. I really think world peace is severely underrated but also has some weak tracks...

anyway, I am rambling because I read this forum for years, but never commented.

I only registered to say that, probably there are other people like me as well who are in this bucket. I don't hate morrissey or anything like this, I obviously wish he would just self-release BOT or something and would pay a lot of money for it myself. I donated to Alain's fund without hesitation because I love that music.


as long as the Music has something to it, he's OK by me. the last few albums have been clunky, but I think probably it's a matter of pacing and production rather than songwriting. if you took world peace, low in high school, and IANADOAC you could probably cobble together a pretty good banger on an album. I know because I've been trying to do that for a few weeks... and having a hell of a fun time.

if he put out 3 maladjusteds in a row, he'd be like Kanye tier to me and I would just feel sick and pity him. IANADOAC is the best of the last 3 in terms of the concept, for me. I also liked Rebels with Applause and all the live songs I've heard from that album so I'm optimistic. but man, compared to so many artists, he's already put out so much good shit... if the cow is milked dry, so what? it's... OK. how many abosolutely shitty albums have the rollings stones put out? Morrissey's quality output is unmatched, and I am not voting based on his opinions or anything like it... he's not running for office and he's not influential as someone like Musk. so it's whatever to me.

I also saw him live recently, lots of people complained about the new band, but honestly, the experience was much better than when I saw him while he was touring for world peace......

I don't talk about morrissey with anyone including my friends though, because of the stigma

he's probably most listened to artist of all time, probably the best I've found outside of one other group, and I've never found his music super depressing and it never really saved my life or anything like that. I just thought it was really really interesting art.

so yes, im just some guy. I visit this website just to keep tabs on releases and tours, if ever, but I do read the drama and "insider info". I guess I don't care so much about any of the controversies thus far. the only thing that I think is you know, would I do the same? I don't know if I would be whatever enough to do it. so I have some odd respect for it, probably also considering his output

apologies for the badly constructed post.

 

[Oh my god. it's Robby!]

in general I think its hard to picture the "average Morrissey fan" because in my vast?(by some ppl's standards) of living all over the world, it takes all kinds, often it just requires exposure to the music of The Smiths then Moz, I can happily say I've helped create Moz fans all over the world, the knack is finding people with a certain kind of sadness, but smarts too and well, a desire they can't quite name really...

 

[Light Housework]

OK, so I will post here after lurking for like 10+ years. I am in 30s, listening for years, but... my fandom is limited to the music mainly and some funny clips quotes of Morrissey. I am aware of the major controversies back to the 1980s from some light research. I long ago separated the art from the artist, and in fact, I agree with a lot of controversial things, in some sense, the cancellations have never bothered me and never would as I am also a canceller (go figure)

I am successful in my career, married, well-adjusted enough (to the untrained eye), and think Morrissey is an awesome awesome artist. It's taken me years to work through his output properly I have recently been getting into ROTT and only recently properly revisiting his newer stuff. I really think world peace is severely underrated but also has some weak tracks...

anyway, I am rambling because I read this forum for years, but never commented.

I only registered to say that, probably there are other people like me as well who are in this bucket. I don't hate morrissey or anything like this, I obviously wish he would just self-release BOT or something and would pay a lot of money for it myself. I donated to Alain's fund without hesitation because I love that music.


as long as the Music has something to it, he's OK by me. the last few albums have been clunky, but I think probably it's a matter of pacing and production rather than songwriting. if you took world peace, low in high school, and IANADOAC you could probably cobble together a pretty good banger on an album. I know because I've been trying to do that for a few weeks... and having a hell of a fun time.

if he put out 3 maladjusteds in a row, he'd be like Kanye tier to me and I would just feel sick and pity him. IANADOAC is the best of the last 3 in terms of the concept, for me. I also liked Rebels with Applause and all the live songs I've heard from that album so I'm optimistic. but man, compared to so many artists, he's already put out so much good shit... if the cow is milked dry, so what? it's... OK. how many abosolutely shitty albums have the rollings stones put out? Morrissey's quality output is unmatched, and I am not voting based on his opinions or anything like it... he's not running for office and he's not influential as someone like Musk. so it's whatever to me.

I also saw him live recently, lots of people complained about the new band, but honestly, the experience was much better than when I saw him while he was touring for world peace......

I don't talk about morrissey with anyone including my friends though, because of the stigma

he's probably most listened to artist of all time, probably the best I've found outside of one other group, and I've never found his music super depressing and it never really saved my life or anything like that. I just thought it was really really interesting art.

so yes, im just some guy. I visit this website just to keep tabs on releases and tours, if ever, but I do read the drama and "insider info". I guess I don't care so much about any of the controversies thus far. the only thing that I think is you know, would I do the same? I don't know if I would be whatever enough to do it. so I have some odd respect for it, probably also considering his output

apologies for the badly constructed post.

“the best I’ve found outside of one other group"
What other group may I ask?

 

[Fernando Pessoa]

Like I said before, Solo is a very interesting place with interesting people here to discuss an interesting person: Morrissey. Not exclusively, but mostly. I, for sure, don't fit the demographic you describe; I am a happily married and currently pregnant lady in my early 30's who just found out about The Smiths and Morrissey May(ish) 2023 and have been absolutely infatuated with his music and his person ever since. Having been to 2 of his concerts now, I know that his fan base comes in all shapes, sizes, ages, and genders. I assume Solo to be the same. Solo is full of strongly opinionated and emotional people, which of course I'm not surprised by, because Morrissey creates music for intelligent, emotional people, in my honest opinion. I love it! I feel at home here. I mostly spectate, but I do like to chime in once in a while. This place is like a sitcom at times; each character so unique. I sometimes wonder what it'd be like to have everyone from Solo all gathered up in a big room, having drinks, eating food, and listening to our favorite records... yeah, just a fun little daydream I have sometimes.

...you'd need a lot of police and security guards at any such party as there are some totally delusional, psychotic entities here but...mainly they're just acting out their 'issues ' whilst filling spreadsheets in cubicles...

PS: I'm probably the worst person here. There's also lots of catfishing...you're probably 67 years old, etcetera...

 

[gordyboy9]

we all look different but in the end we all look the same.