Morrissey already was a legend when he was the singer from the Smiths in the 80's. One of the first bands in the Britpop movement. The other legend from the Smiths was guitarist Johnny Marr who returned later in The The and Electronic. Drummer Mike Joyce continued to drum for Sinéad O'Connor, Public Image Limited, Julian Cope and Suede for example. Morrissey immediately scored with his debut album "Viva Hate" after the break-up of the Smiths. The following albums didn't manage to impress the audience. First with a more rockabilly kinda sound introduced on "Kill Uncle" in 1991 and and album produced by Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson "Your Arsenal" from 1992. Things changed in 1993 and he managed to develop himself.

In 1993 Morrissey released his fourth album titled "Vauxhall And I". It is a reference to the 1987 movie "Withnail And I" about 2 unemployed actors sharing an appartment in London ready for a weekend in a country cottage in the Lake District. Vauxhall is an area in London with many gay clubs and a car manufacturer with the same name. It's a return to the more emotional kinda songs he did on his debut album "Viva Hate" from 1988. 

Morrissey's band in 1995

Boz Boorer took over half of the songwriting for this album. Boz and Alain Whyte were responsible for the musical arrangements. This gave Morrissey some room te breathe which becomes clear in the opener titled "Now My Heart is Full". Boz and Alain are both guitarists from Morrissey's band. They both remained in the band up to 2006. The period that produced his best work.

Hold on to your Friends - single cover

"Spring Heeled Jim" contains bits of dialogue from We Are the Lambeth Boys, a 1959 documentary that follows the lives of members of a south London youth club. The title of the song "Billy Bud" is named after the book by Herman Melville. The line "Don't leave us in the dark" at the end of "Billy Budd" is sampled from the 1948 movie of Dickens' Oliver Twist directed by David Lean. Morrissey is at his best in "Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself", "Hold on to Your Friends" and “Speedway”.

The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get - single cover

It was the only album with a single reaching the US charts titled "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get". It reached #46. In the UK the song reached #8. Some exclusive singles were also released during this time: "Interlude" with Siouxsie Sioux, "Boxers" and "Sunny". The album was a great achievement in his career so far.

Boxers - single cover
Sunny - single cover

Original album cover

Vauxhall and I (1993)
Now My Heart Is Full / Spring-Heeled Jim / Billy Budd / Hold On to Your Friends / The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get / Why Don't You Find Out for Yourself / I Am Hated for Loving / Lifeguard Sleeping, Girl Drowning / Used to Be a Sweet Boy / The Lazy Sunbathers / Speedway


The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get
Hold On To Your Friends

Boxers

Sunny