Morrissey claims he has been “gagged” over the release of his album Bonfire of the Teenagers , which he recorded between 2020 and 2021. In a rare interview with The Telegraph , the musician said that “idiot culture” is preventing the LP from coming out.
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The unreleased album has been controversial because the title references the Manchester Arena bombing, which took place during Ariana Grande’s concert in 2017. The tragic incident resulted in 22 deaths and galvanized the city of Manchester, who claimed Oasis’ song “Don’t Look Back in Anger” as their anthem.
“The Manchester Arena bombing was our 9/11,” Morrissey told The Telegraph . “But, in this sad country of ours, to understand the full meaning of the attack is to be guilty, and this is why the ‘don’t look back in anger’ command always struck me as derisive and not at all words of social harmony.”
He added, “Once you edit yourself or self-censor then the idiots have won. There is no arts media anymore in England, therefore there’s no one to whom I can sit and talk about this. The fact is, genuine artists in England are now being held hostage by people who object to any manner of alternative opinion.”
Morrissey also told the publication that he believes “controversial means intelligent.” “We are still in the grip of idiot culture, it’s everywhere you look,” he said. “Naturally I’m one of the first to be gagged since my entire life has relied on free speech. No, I wouldn’t remove the title song because I wouldn’t abandon the murdered kids of Manchester. Their spirits cry out every single day for remembrance and recognition.”
So far, no record label has agreed to release Bonfire of the Teenagers . “Every major label in London has refused Bonfire Of Teenagers whilst also admitting that it is a masterpiece,” Morrissey said. “And although there is nothing insulting or antagonistic in the title track, label bosses say they are worried that The Guardian would make their lives hell if they supported any such social awareness.”
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This is not the first time Bonfire of the Teenagers has generated a reaction, despite not even being released. In late 2022, Miley Cyrus asked to be removed from the album’s song “I Am Veronica,” for which she recorded backing vocals. Morrissey claimed the singer wanted to be taken off the song due to a conflict within his private circle. “In truth, Miley has backed off for reasons unconnected to me, having had a major clash with a key figure in ‘the circle,’” Morrissey wrote on his website at the time. “I cannot give any details about the private fight because… it is private, after all.”
First announced back in May 2021, Bonfire of Teenagers was supposed to be released through BMG before that label dropped Morrissey in Nov. 2020. “The worst year of my life concludes with the best album of my life,” Morrissey wrote of the release, adding that he was unsigned and that the album is available to the “highest (or lowest) bidder.”
That October, Morrissey proclaimed that Bonfire of Teenagers found a home at Capitol Records, and that the album would feature an all-star guest list that included Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith and Flea, Iggy Pop, Andrew Watt, Josh Klinghoffer, and Cyrus. Following Cyrus’ departure from the album, Morrissey confirmed he had “voluntarily withdrawn from any association” with Capitol Records. Earlier this year, Morrissey said he bought back the rights to two of his albums from Capitol.
Morrissey’s last album, I Am Not a Dog on a Chain , came out in 2020.
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