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Morrissey Tells BBC Show He Considered Suicide

Morrissey appeared on the long-running BBC radio programme 'Desert Island Discs' on Sunday (Nov. 29), where he picked a playlist of 1970s songs and said he found the idea of suicide "honourable."

The BBC Radio 4 show's host Kirsty Young asked the former Smiths frontman, "Have you thought about being in control of your death? Have you thought about shuffling off this mortal coil at a time of your choosing?"

Morrissey replied: "Yes I have. Yes I have, and I think self-destruction is honourable. I always thought was. It's an act of great control and I understand people who do it."

The singer, 50, had touched on the subject of death earlier in the show. "I'm fascinated by the brevity of life and how people use their time, because we all know the actual fall. It's as inevitable as you and I sitting here now, that the Tuesday will arrive when you, Kirsty, are not here," Morrissey explained. "So we all know this fact, and with that in the forefront of our mind in everything we do, I find it fascinating how people spend their time."

The show asks notable figures to choose eight pieces of music, one book and one luxury they would take with them if cast away on the show's mythical desert island.

Morrissey's songs were:

New York Dolls -- '(There's Gonna Be A) Showdown'
Marianne Faithfull -- 'Come And Stay With Me'
The Ramones -- 'Loudmouth'
The Velvet Underground -- 'The Black Angel's Death Song'
Klaus Nomi -- 'Der Nussbaum -- The Walnut Tree'
Nico -- 'I'm Not Saying'
Iggy and the Stooges -- 'Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell'
Mott the Hoople -- 'Sea Diver'

He chose the New York Dolls track as his favourite song.

Marianne Faithful's 1965 hit, 'Come and Stay with Me' is the only one of the songs which could be described as upbeat. Morrissey said he performed the song as a six-year-old standing on a table in the council house he grew up in Manchester. This was, he said, "quite perverted of me if you listen to the lyrics".

James Foley, music editor of Record of the Day, told the Guardian, "It was a narrow choice, almost to the point of being belligerent. If an alien wanted to be introduced to 70s punk, that's the kind of playlist you would give them. It was narrow, unsurprising but completely what Morrissey is about."

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Delva

Well, Morrissey did not make an apology of suicide,he was asked a question and he gave a frank reply which only commit him as usual...might be disturbing at times but who's got the right to choose ,decide or even judge for others.Who knows about the pain one might carry within oneself sometimes for years on ? A permanent solution to a temporary problem ? Really? Have never heard of a more stupid quote in my entire life ! Anyway , he gave a 45 minute-interview and the press only put forward his 2 minutes personal opinion about suicide. Can hardly believe it!








December 15 2009 at 6:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brandon

YOU ALL NEED TO LIVE YOUR LIVES INSTEAD OF TYPING ABOUT LIVING IT!!! PUT DOWN THE MOTHERFUCKING KEYBOARD AND MOUSE AND COME OUTSIDE AND PLAAAAAY!!! THERE IS PLENTY OF FUCKING ROOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

December 04 2009 at 12:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Janice

Suicide isn't honourable, it's sick. It hurts so many people around you that you loved, and it's unfair to them. You shouldn't think that way about other people just because you don't like their music. Go Trixie!

November 30 2009 at 7:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gail green



WHY DIDN't YOU PRINT MY FULL MESSAGE? WAS I INNAPROPRIATE BY YOUR POINT OF VIEW? PLEASE ANSWER?

November 30 2009 at 3:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gail green


I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH MORRISSEY! YOU DON'T GET TO CHOSE WHEN YOU"RE BORN

November 30 2009 at 2:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
l8rg8r2108

He thinks self-destruction is honorable? What an incredibly warped belief. His music is good and I have always enjoyed listening to it but his embracing of suicide is too much. It is not honorable....it is selfish. A permanent solution to a temporary problem. Sometimes these entertainers should just not speak.

November 30 2009 at 1:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
byron

morrissey and the smiths are awesome, their music isnt all about partying or getting laid, its emotional. however, to say his music is shitty homo music is an opinion of a moron...if you dont like it, dont listen to it. i dont like alot of music thats out today, but you dont see me bashing those performers do you? i will however bash you, you foul git.

November 30 2009 at 1:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
trixie

and you are something special? get a job and a life

November 30 2009 at 12:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Red Sam Rackham

Oh gee; so-called news about yet another minor celeb seeking attention.

November 30 2009 at 10:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Erin

Morrissey suicidal? That's a shocker.

November 30 2009 at 9:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply