So, Robbie Williams now has more number one albums than The Beatles. Sorry, but I had to write that down, to make it seem more real. Nothing against Rob, honestly... but really?
Anyway, there's a song on his latest chart-topper, Britpop, called Morrissey. It's a co-write with fellow Take That alumnus Gary Barlow, who also weighs in with some backing vocals. Here it is.
I don't know what to make of this really. The first couple of verses seem to acknowledge that SPM is not how we all remember him, and still want him to be... but they also seem like an attempt to excuse ("He's a little eccentric.") or explain ("He did an interview. I think what he meant was..."). It's Moz-washing, basically.
I like the singer He's a little eccentric He did an interview I think what he meant was I'm lost, I'm lonely, I'm hurt, I'm abused I need love baby, just like you I'm isolated, deserted and friendless But the beat goes on, and it feels tremendous Morrissey (Morrissey), Morrissey (Morrissey) Is talking to me, talking to me in code Morrissey (Morrissey), Morrissey (Morrissey) It's just you and me and they don't need to know Come here let me hold you, let me hold you for the rest of your life Come here let me hold you, ah ah ah ah-ah I never said a word and yet you heard me I'm a little like you but a lot less worthy Oh, I don't know, I'm gonna try writing songs I've got so much to say, they're only 3 minutes long I'm lost, I'm lonely, I'm hurt, I'm abused I need love baby just like you I'll take to the world like a lover spurned You've had your go now it's my turn Morrissey (Morrissey), Morrissey (Morrissey) Is talking to me, talking to me in code Morrissey (Morrissey), Morrissey (Morrissey) It's just you and me and they don't need to know Come here let me hold you, let me hold you for the rest of your life Come here let me hold you, ah ah ah ah-ah I'm lost, I'm lonely, I'm hurt, I'm abused I need love baby just like you I'll take to the world like a lover spurned You've had your go now it's my turn Come here let me hold you, let me hold you for the rest of your life Come here let me hold you, ah ah ah ah-ah Come here let me hold you, let me hold you for the rest of your life Come here let me hold you, ah ah ah ah-ah Morrissey (Morrissey), Morrissey (seriously) Is talking to me, talking to me in code Morrissey (Morrissey), Morrissey (seriously) It's just you and me, and they don't need to know It's just you and me, it's just you and me
All of which brings to mind, as a counterpoint if nothing else, Dear Stephen by The Manic Street Preachers. Rol's covered that before, much better than I can. I don't think you can accuse MSP of Moz-washing but, like Robbie, they just wish the Morrissey of 2026 could be a bit more like the Morrissey of 1986. But then, to paraphrase one of his heartbreak lines, don't we all want the one we can't have?
You're, you're still my bad habit My, a dark little secret My illicit unseen drug My secret hidden love Dear Stephen, please come back to us I believe in repentance and forgiveness It's so easy to hate, it takes guts to be kind To paraphrase one of your heartbreak lines I'm still ill, I'm cursed to stay Under your spell for all my days I'm still a prisoner to you and Larkin Even as your history darkens Dear Stephen, please come back to us I believe in repentance and forgiveness It's so easy to hate, it takes guts to be kind To paraphrase one of your heartbreak lines I've been the boy with the thorn in his side I want you vivid in your prime Dear Stephen, please come back to us I believe in repentance and forgiveness It's so easy to hate, it takes guts to be kind To paraphrase one of your heartbreak lines
Yeah, I don't have anything against Robbie either, but this song seems like a classic case of fence-sitting. Nicky nailed it a lot better.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree. Although annoyingly, Mr Williams' song is quite catchy. Damn!
DeleteI haven't clicked on the Robbie Williams video......but based on the sixth-form (and that's being generous) nature of the lyrics, I can't bring myself to.
ReplyDeleteI've moved on a little bit in recent years. I remain unable and unwilling to separate the man from the music. I don't listen to any solo material, and it seems unlikely that I'll do so again.
But I've softened on The Smiths. I cannot deny (nor do I want to) that the band were such an important part of my life. I console myself that the contributions of Johnny, Mike and the late Andy were every bit as important and meaningful as the lyrics/vocals.
Every bit as important is exactly right.
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