Recommendations of the editorial team
Nick Cave rejected an offer from Morrissey last year. Cave has now confirmed this in his blog “Red Hand Files”. He rejected the cooperation request, although as a long-time fan he “would have liked to do it”. But instead of singing a few lines or having it supported in the background, the former The Smith singer asked him to open the track with an “unnecessarily provocative” speech.
Cave: “That wasn’t my thing”
“I think I agreed to the basic idea to a certain extent, but it was just not my thing,” said Cave. “I try to keep politics out of the music in which I am involved in culturally or otherwise,” continued Cave. “I think that it has a weak effect. And runs counter that I try to achieve.”
Despite this distance to the content, Cave has great respect for Morrissey’s artistic work. He describes him as “a complex and controversial figure, someone who likes to get great people on exciting people” as well as “probably the best songwriter of his generation”. Cave also confessed that he has never met him so far – maybe that is why he’s staying “fan”.
“Anti-Woke-Screed” instead of singing
After the question of a fan, the message happened whether Cave Morrissey had already met personally. It came out that Morrissey asked him to participate in a new song in 2024 by email. Cave would have been willing to participate in which Morrissey wanted to involve him. “The piece he sent me was pretty nice,” said Cave, “but it started with a long and completely irrelevant Greek Bouzouki-Intro”-a long-necked string instrument.
According to Cave, the former The Smiths singer wanted “that I said a somewhat silly anti-Woke fire speech that Morrissey had written.” Cave did not go into the content of the text, but “politely rejected” the offer.
As early as 2019, Cave wrote on his website that he felt uncomfortable in the presence of any ideologies who claim to be “the truth” or “one way”, and thus distanced himself from the “woken” movement.
Morrisey: “Nobody wants to publish my music”
Morrissey’s last solo album I am not a dog on a chain was released in 2020. In November, the singer explained that his previously unpublished album Bonfire of Teenagers has been under lock and key – among other things because of his controversial statements.
“As you know, nobody wants to publish my music,” said Morrissey via “Billboard” in front of an audience in New Jersey. “You know that because I make myself strong for freedom of speech. This is now punishable in England.” In an interview last year, according to “Rolling Stone”, Morrissey also claimed that the new album was “silent” because the “idiot culture” prevented its publication.
Morrissey in controversy
After the end of The Smiths in 1987, Morrissey started a moving solo career that was as moving and successful. His songs circle around outsiders, animal rights, love and sexuality – characterized by biting self -irony, openness and provocative statements. In the course of his career, he moved from left to right and was not afraid of an argument.
Morrissey is still active live, despite the lack of new music. He ended some concerts in North America in spring and is now on a European tour until August. Further appearances in North America are also scheduled for September and October.