Renowned vocalist Morrissey has issued a statement which has seen him hit back at those who have targeted him for his far-right views in recent weeks.
Over the last few weeks, there has been plenty of pressure heaped upon Morrissey due to his political views.
Early in 2018, Morrissey published a bizarre interview on his website which saw him identifying with far-right politics.
Noting how he associates himself with the For Britain political party – a far-right party created by Anne Marie Waters. Morrissey also went on to criticise the “loony left”, mentioning how they seem to forget “Hitler was left wing.”
However, the singer’s political leanings were largely forgotten until recently when Morrissey appeared on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon wearing a pin that supports the party, having been seen wearing the same pin during his New York residency.
Last week though, Waters in fact thanked Morrissey for his support and the publicity he had given the party.
“I can tell you that the traffic to our website exploded with the story breaking of you wearing the For Britain button badge, which you have been wearing everywhere from what I can see, so thank you very much for that,” Waters explained in a video uploaded to YouTube.
This news kept coming with word that the world’s oldest record store – Wales’ Spillers Records – had banned the music of the former Smiths frontman from their shelves.
“I’m saddened but ultimately not surprised that Spillers is unable to stock Morrissey’s releases any longer,” explained Spillers owner Ashli Todd. “I only wished I’d done it sooner.”
Check out Morrissey’s ‘Suedehead’:
Now, the divisive musician has issued a statement, hitting back at the media for their “contorted interpretation of who and what I am”, calling for his fans to “beware of those who write in headlines”, and continuing to stand by his political views.
The statement, shared on Morrissey’s own website, bears the title “Because this is how I am”, and was published just days after the announcement from Spillers Records.
“I am sorry the UK print media’s contorted interpretation of who and what I am has gone all wrong,” Morrissey writes in his statement. “In these days when most people are afraid to even whisper, the print media write as if someone is coming to get them.”
Check out his full statement below.
“in early old age could I please express very sincere thanks to BBC Radio 2 for their broad-shouldered support given to “California Son”, “Wedding Bell Blues” and “It’s Over”. Whatever the future brings, I will always remember Radio 2’s steady support during these rocky weeks – especially from Jo Whiley.
I am sorry the UK print media’s contorted interpretation of who and what I am has gone all wrong. In these days when most people are afraid to even whisper, the print media write as if someone is coming to get them. This aching nervousness brings on the vengeful and paranoid. Inventing Britain’s doomsday is the preoccupation of the tabloids, and they can hate you for having lived.
I straighten up, and my position is one of hope. The march backwards is over, and life has begun again.
With voice extended to breaking point, I call for the prosperity of free speech; the eradication of totalitarian control; I call for diversity of opinion; I call for the total abolition of the abattoir; I call for peace, above all; I call for civil society; I call for a so-far unknowable end to brutalities; “No” to Soviet Britain; prayers not to gods but to forces; an end to disingenuous media cluelessness; the people have the power; hatred and beheadings belong in the furnace of history; music might still be your only friend; for every shade and persuasion … we shall always be alongside each other – everyone’s culture of value; no more fashionable outrage; cows are friends to humans – don’t kill them; beware of those who write in headlines; moral fiber means holding on … to your friends; give up on inferior arguments; God gave you your life to enjoy – you will cry for your life in years to come … death always answers back; do not be a nobody; you have survived this far in order to make the remainder peaceful and funny; your very survival proves that you have a right; ignore the cold eyes of fascism; your life is Art.”
Check out ‘I Am Hated For Loving’ by Morrissey:
