Isolated, deserted and friendless

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