Home / Arts and Entertainment / Morrissey's Vauxhall: Death, Loss, and Acceptance
Morrissey's Vauxhall: Death, Loss, and Acceptance
30 Aug
Summary
- Album reflects bone-deep acceptance of mortality.
- Record released amidst personal losses of manager and friends.
- Vauxhall and I showcases Morrissey's blend of self-obsession and connection.
The 20th-anniversary reissue of Morrissey's 1994 album, "Vauxhall and I," offers a retrospective look at its themes. Far from a spiritual reassessment, the album now appears as a testament to acceptance regarding mortality and aging.
Released in March 1994, "Vauxhall and I" followed significant personal losses for Morrissey. His manager, video director, and former David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson, who had produced Morrissey's prior album, all died around the album's recording. This context highlights the album's underlying themes of mortality.
Musically, the album departs from its predecessor's glam-rockabilly style. Tracks like "Billy Budd," inspired by Herman Melville, and "Now My Heart Is Full," referencing Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock," showcase Morrissey's literary inclinations.
Despite its dramatic tone, "Vauxhall and I" features a hit single, "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get." This song cleverly plays on Morrissey's public image and his relationship with devoted fans.
