2009, The Year In Morrissey

2009 was a wacky year for Moz, full of ups and downs, without a dull moment to spare.  Despite a bottle to the head, a rush to the hospital, and a slew of canceled shows, Mozzer soldiered on through the release of his ninth studio album, a b-sides collection, and hitting the big 5-0.  A recap, shall we?



Years Of Refusal hit shops February 16th in the UK and the 17th here in the U.S.  Fans spent endless hours debating the mysterious baby on the album's cover, with rumors flying that Moz had actually fathered a child?!?  Our favorite track?  The excellent, It's not Your Birthday Anymore.  The closest to old school Moz we've gotten in recent years. 

Singles included:

I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris (video)

The UK 7" release caused quite the stir as Moz and his band mates appeared naked in the inner sleeve, covering up their lower regions with 7" records.  Three formats (two CD singles and the 7") contained three separate b-sides; Because Of My Poor Education, Shame Is The Name (backing vocals by Chrissie Hynde), and a live version of Death Of A Disco Dancer. 



Something Is Squeezing My Skull (video)

Also released in three formats (two CD singles, one 7") containing three live b-sides taken from Morrissey's performance for BBC this past February.  Tracks include; This Charming Man, Best Friend On The Payroll and I Keep Mine Hidden. 

Morrissey was also all over our TV screens this year:

Granting a special show for BBC's Radio 2.  Set highlights include: Seasick, Yet Still Docked, Best Friend On The Payroll and Reader Meet Author.  Watch.  

Black Cloud live on Late Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.  Watch.

Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed for the Kimmel audience. Watch.  Same show, Something Is Squeezing My Skull.  Watch. 

I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris and This Charming Man on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross.  Watch. 

Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice live on Lopez Tonight.  Watch. 

In chat with Zane Lowe on MTV2 UK.  Watch. 

Outside of TV, Morrissey took the cover of Filter Magazine this year.  View. 

An older Moz shot appeared as the cover to Manchester, Looking For The Light In The Pouring Rain, a collection of photographs by Kevin Cummins.  Read about/view.  

Swords, a collection of b-sides from 2000 on, hit shelves in November via CD, 2-LP set, 2-CD special edition (second disc contains 8 live tracks), and digital of course.  Standout tracks? The excellent, excellent Friday Mourning, and the equally excellent, Ganglord.

Looking for a little reissue? 

Both Southpaw Grammar and Maladjusted got the reissue treatment in 09'.  Both releases were overseen by Morrissey directly. The Southpaw release featured three previously unreleased tracks; Fantastic Bird, Honey, You Know Where To Find Me and You Should Have Been Nice To Me.  Full details. 

And how about a quick re-cap of all the rest:

A bottle to the head.  View. 

Stage collapse and hospital visit. Read. 

The big 5-0 birthday bash. Photos. 

And finally, Morrissey closes out the year with a very respectable letter to his fans, leaving us all in mystery of what 2010 has in store. He also apologizes for the record label's handling of Swords, and names Pomona one of this favorites shows of the past year. 

View the letter on true-to-you.net.

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