Favorite Male Lyricists #4 - Morrissey

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Here we are at #4 already in my Favorite Male Lyricists series (despite a week off, this one seems as if it has flown by.) The fourth spot in the countdown belongs to Morrissey. From Manchester, England, Morrissey (he detests his given first name, Stephen, preferring to use his last name only,) although he has had a successful solo career, is best known as the vocalist and songwriter for influential 80's alternative guitar band The Smiths. Early on, the charismatic singer served time as a music/film journalist, authoring books on New York punk band The New York Dolls and James Dean. Morrissey's lyrics, while sometimes violent ("Bigmouth Strikes Again,") are usually depressing (The British press once referred to him as "The Pope of Mope,") yet hilariously funny at the same time ("There is a Light that Never Goes Out," and "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" come immediately to mind.) Morrissey has made a career railing against the likes of the Royal Family ("The Queen is Dead," which is Morrissey at his lyrical finest,) carnivorism ("Meat is Murder,") and even disco DJ's ("Panic.") Morrissey is definitely one of those guys that you either love him or hate him; there is no in between. Put me down as being in the "love him" camp. (Info verified by Wikipedia)