Morrissey Interview (Studio One) (1985)

Muriel Gray interviews Morrissey. Clips of "Still Ill" and "Barbarism Begins At Home" from The Smiths' appearance on "The Tube" of March 1984 are shown, alongside a clip of "Meat Is Murder". Morrissey is confronted with an astrologer who comes to the conclusion that Morrissey is a shy person who sees himself as a "flag bearer for future values". Broadcasted on "Studio One", ITV (24 May 1985)

[@mynameisfen]

My left ear is as lonely as Morrissey.

[@sunonthewindow]

Casual fans: "Morrissey's lyrics are depressing." Real fans: "Morrissey's lyrics are bloody hilarious."

[@Chimalli2000]

sunonthewindow girlfriend in a coma is a good one for that

[@frankboothsedated.7054]

A spot on assessment, my friend. Morrissey's lyrics are brutally funny. I feel nothing but sorrow for people who don't get it.

[@shaneshankly4518]

What about his words supporting the slaughter of Palestinian children???

[@MrQwerkafleeg]

Please quote them.

[@lukecimino7715]

Please, not all smiths songs are funny. Asleep and I know it’s over are the two biggest examples.

[@jonnyspace50]

she heard Moz was coming so she set out to make her hair even taller than his

[@davidhsepapa7900]

An interview in which he actually got to speak, rather than be patronized.

[@mbrady2329]

Muriel Gray was good at treating her subjects with respect.

[@simonedgbaston]

People put Him on too Much of a fearful pedestal where Morrissey just loves an interesting Conversation & indeed fascinating People 😊

[@mjtsmm2027]

Back in the days when musicians were interviewed intelligently, as opposed to now with the 'how do you stay so young' and 'what are your workout tips' questions.

[@gabiotta]

Errr.. did you get to the bit where they wheeled out the astrologer? O.o

[@babisperm9968]

ab soul

[@EgbertWilliams]

Yeah, the intelligent astrologer and the invitation to badmouth other performers. Highly intellectual.

[@luislizard2626]

Yes !!!....interviewer like fearne cotton .....so irritating!!!!

[@RockLee679]

EdD5 except astrologers are not intelligent coz astrology is bollox

[@jupiter-8405]

Morrissey looking genuinely relaxed in that interview.

[@powrxplor69]

And dressed like the head cook at Olive garden.

[@applescruff1969]

​@@powrxplor69 Imagine Morrissey working at Olive Garden. He'd probably throw out all the meat. Lol.

[@powrxplor69]

@@applescruff1969 Not before lecturing everyone who tries to order any for a few hours lol

[@powrtoch5377]

nice talk talk profile pic

[@h0lysockbob401]

​@@applescruff1969He would for sure.

[@decaffeinatedafrican5997]

his slight awkwardness or whatever it is makes him very naturally flirty it seems

[@elotesconmayonesa8321]

I love the way he talks

[@FranFerdinanda]

Me too. His voice is so delicious

[@maggiesctt]

His accent is so beautiful 💖

[@RedKevKayak]

As someone who didn’t read a lot and had more of a logical brain it wasn’t until I listened to Morrissey that I realised the beauty of words. As far as I am concerned there is absolutely nothing arrogant about Morrissey, he just speaks openly and honestly and that’s what people find difficult to accept.

[@StevieZero]

💯

[@OliverJ08]

I don't think he's arrogant but he seems very smug in the best way possible 😂

[@RomnyCDoncamatic]

Young morrissey i'm never gonna meet you :(

[@jefersonpriebe8052]

+RomnyCDoncamatic mte

[@moreodat479]

i can´t believe one reads anything gaming on our cultures videos wonder if morrissey things gaming culture is lame as fuck too

[@ELSGaming]

@TheMonkeesRock he’s not the same person champ

[@ill8485]

@@ELSGaming devout moz fans will tell you he’s exactly the same

[@deadinthewater218]

True

[@christschool]

This is so 80's. Loved it.

[@reillydansby7678]

This is one of the better, if not the best, interviewers I’ve seen talk to Morrissey. He’s very obviously more relaxed here than most interviews.

[@gerryfromthevoid8986]

Scottish women are easy to talk to

[@tonydear71]

Muriel Gray was really really good.

[@jas22]

i must say, the interviewer is brilliant. she brought forth a deep, wonderful conversation, yet moving it as simple, non-combative, while still asking pertinent questions. this was so much fun to listen to. morrissey was so intelligent and well-spoken, confident yet still humble in a way, eschewing the trappings of rock stardom. I fell in love with his music first upon hearing "Suedehead". Up until that time, I had never heard of him, nor even of the Smiths!

[@thewholecity]

The most loveable pretentious wee prick in the world. God bless Mozza forever.

[@arthousefilms]

It's so great how he treats every interview respectfully and completely without sarcasm or contempt.

[@stephen3511]

There are very few musicians as articulate as Morrissey. But, equally, this lady is a sincere and intelligent interviewer.

[@tubeberk08]

quite intelligent and insightful for such a young man at the time.

[@glennoc8585]

tubeberk08 I think many were young and insightful even wise back then. The education system back in the 60s was quite focused on the classics and philosophy. Even working class kids in the UK read a lot. and

[@gerryfromthevoid8986]

he was so young here! but very wise.

[@meatismurder111]

This man is so beautiful wtf

[@hollybartlett7017]

Absolutely! I could watch him talk all day

[@PacificNWGrl]

Moz is so beautiful inside and out. And her entire look is so iconic! Makes me want to reproduce this ASAP.

[@lisaconnelly5443]

5:37 "It's just really ignorance." Well said Moz

[@anar.5354]

I'm glad I went to see him in concert and He was literally 3 meters in front of me. He is still beautiful as before. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kenpudsey6435]

You can tell he feels comfortable with Muriel..not so much with the psychologist..who implied he may have to think about what he says in future..you could see Morrissey thinking 'No..Fuck off'.

[@MsIthinkthereforeIam]

"it's good to have a sense of responsibility". Great comment, very intelligent and deep man.

[@gordonthomson7533]

Muriel Gray was such a professional at such a young age. These guys were uber adults in their mid 20s...come on kids today, you've got a lot to live up to.

[@honeyhitchins7805]

He's such a good talker ❤️

[@r.pneumo7337]

"A flag bearer for future values" - a very nice & true phrase.

[@douglasfreeman3229]

I got The Smiths humour straight away when I first heard them in the 1980s. Me and my gf love Morrissey's lyrics and we often have a chuckle over them. I think understanding the humour is something which is instinctive. You get it or you don't. Fortunately I am blessed with the ability to "get" it. The Smiths cheered me up during bouts of depression when I was a teenager in the mid to late 80s. Better than the awful, useless psychotropic crap the doctor prescribed me!

[@rickparker1582]

The days when you used to hang on every word that Morrissey uttered and music programmes had substance.

[@mbrady2329]

He was flying the flag for every bookish kid in Britain.

[@StrawberrySunday212]

he was so beautiful when he was younger.

[@freya8133]

He still looks better than 98 percent of all 64 year old men....

[@StrawberrySunday212]

@@freya8133 oh agreed 100%

[@ryansleftboot]

Thanks for putting this on. He lived up the road from me as a kid. Got into the Smiths during 1988.... thanks Dee!

[@halseykale9930]

wait why did an astrologer come out of nothing and started psychoanalysing Morrissey lmao

[@NickSBailey]

they seemed to be everywhere in the 80s, bizarre lol

[@vegan4theanimals]

Imagine how tough it was to get people to think about animal rights in the 80s and 90s, eventually fur became publicly hated and all that. But the young people protesting, chaining themselves, and the Smith's releasing this record, etc they were all paving the way for where we are today where veganism and animal rights have never been bigger which is amazing.

[@MrsMattBellamy96]

he sounds so intelligent i could listen to him talking all day!!

[@gavincurtis1364]

Mutual respect from Muriel and Moz shines through... Great to see

[@richalderson6069]

I wish there was more on camera Morrissey interviews from this time, I love his views and his answers. Shame.

[@315Bodhi17]

Morrissey and Marr write music beyond the beyond. Makes one want to listen.

[@CarlosGonzalez-yv1tg]

He's not arrogant, is just knew how great he was

[@alyssaortega9222]

He is such an angel. I'm so upset I didn't see him in May. I'm hoping to see him the next time he plays in LA. Love him to bits. He is such an intelligent young man at the time. I'll be listening to Morrissey and the Smiths until I die.

[@Al_Dee]

Im on the same boat.. missed him at staples center and i will forever regret it

[@jamesblaser5329]

Love this man smiths were brilliant

[@florislok]

I’ve never heard of Muriel Gray but she is bringing me right back to the mid eighties.

[@milorodriguez3739]

I thought I was straight...

[@singlespeedchronicles7640]

I think MOZ "turned" an entire generation to LGBTQ.....

[@alexsdb9712]

Haha "turned" a generation gay?? Haha

[@sceneofthecrash99]

you're probably bisexual, then.

[@chelseapoet3664]

We didn't.

[@OurLoveToAdmire]

Moz probably was an awakening for so many people LOL I mean look at him and the way he speaks, who wouldn't be attracted

[@mulefa1]

I really laughed at morriseys knife and fork hand movements at 5:54

[@RitchieRosson]

Haha! Me too.

[@user-ev1uo7sb8n]

she’s got a lovely voice.

[@Drizzttoable]

morrissey is the last pure person

[@neilsun2521]

..in pop. Not in the whole-world

[@nozucchini4624]

hes so cute in this i could die

[@caseyd321]

What the hell does that even mean?

[@z00ts00t77]

Ah, that will be Ian Stuart Donaldson the neo-nazi musician. The only respect in which he was pure was in pure ignorant hatred.

[@nikki-qb7iq]

no but he is perhaps the last truly British person you will ever know

[@SkipSpotter]

For historical pop music significance, I thank you for taking the time to upload and share this little gem of 80s TV. Morrisseys claim to individualism whilst on TOTP was dancing with those gladioli.

[@callawuttke9756]

hes so charming

[@thelucyperkins]

Anyone notice he has a ring on his left hand ring finger? It's like mockery, he's honestly the funniest. Bless this man.

[@angelagak399]

I absolutely noticed that and it made me laugh.

[@michaeldavis9422]

An exceptional piece of music. I thank Morissey, Marr and the other band members for being in the corner of vulnerable animals.

[@RufusJonze]

can't get any more 80s than this tv set and host

[@hannahg8439]

Young Morrissey is so cute!

[@hannahg8439]

@Cherry Red wdym, you saying he's ugly?😂

[@jfluffydog2110]

@Cherry Red nah

[@debbiereigate705]

Love this! And the brief astrology reading at the end 🤗

[@leedummett4412]

music is a artform. morrisey is a genius.

[@Horizon344]

Good interview by Gray looking elegant in that dress, & interesting to see Moz being more open than the boring "sophisticated man" persona he adopted in media interviews after going solo. Bizarre mid-1980's moment with the unconvincing "astrologer" thing tagged on the end.

[@vincentkarapetian2199]

The best interview Morrissey has ever done!

[@jamesgretsch4894]

He's the coolest

[@telagraf]

still resonates all these years later. perfection :)

[@kjd9634]

Muriel Gray became a novelist. Morrissey became a legend.

[@mbrady2329]

Muriel Gray went on to become something of a media polymath, in her own somewhat understated way. Morrissey became a legend, then started to lurch into self-parody, aided and abetted by adversaries in the media.

[@kjd9634]

@@mbrady2329 He is a legend, still sounds great, still recording decent music, also willing to speak his mind regardless of the fallout.

[@user-ow1to2rq9h]

Self-Paroday? The integrity behind "Bonfire of the Teenagers" is powerful.@@mbrady2329

[@michellemagi2483]

I love him more than life omg

[@katelynncolburn9457]

Same

[@sevensolaris]

I never pegged Morrisey as a fan of The Jesus and Mary Chain. But wow...if he thought music was stale back then, he must really hate what he hears these days.

[@mbrady2329]

Don't we all?

[@NOWtheband]

@@mbrady2329 - We don't. We like plenty of music that is around today (Most of which is underground/unknown) :-)

[@mbrady2329]

@@NOWtheband, which 'we' are you, then? And would you care to point me (and others like myself) towards some of this allegedly great music that we've been missing out on?

[@NOWtheband]

@@mbrady2329 - "We" are 'now' (a band). I don't know if you've been missing out on these as that would depend on whether you like them but as I wrote, these are modern acts that we like (hopefully you and others like yourself will find something nice here) = Masslys/Whalesharkattacks/Center Of The Universe/Dr. Dent/Hu Gh/Viva Sherry/Lia Mice/Cowboy Flying Saucer/Wave Debb/Graham Dunning/Slate Pipe Banjo Draggers/Wood/MSP/Ruki Vokrug Menya/Gagarin/gon7o/Raf & O/Man From Uranus/Robomatic/Gardyloo Spew/Xylitol/Doktaurr Fukk And The Revlatron 5000/Purple Implosion/Legs11/Rebecca Closure/Rosie Okae/Palbomen/Moon Delay/Mt.Melodie. :-)

[@freya8133]

JAMC's music went south pretty quickly.

[@DarlinJacq]

I AM glad that you are really there because you are an optimist and We need a bright future To~Get~Her!!!

[@chrisedwards3883]

Very good,thanks.

[@Sourpuss62]

Its so awkward at the end with the astrologer's reading...

[@madalinmastermadeline3761]

what a man

[@HuusHuus-zc2zl]

Morrissey turned me vegetarian. I love being veggie. I feel more energetic and there's no rotting corpse in my body.

[@InglebertHumptyDump]

"Yes it has and no it hasn't." Perfect Gemini answer and he knew it. Hilarious!

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

Very enjoyable interview, intelligent and Muriel Grey was always good, she didn't talk over guests. She looked like Sue Pollard and Paula Yates, and had a very relaxed interviewing style. Great outfit as well, and loved the hair. That astrology sweaty guy was awful he looked like Jaws from James Bond and Lurch, I'm surprised Morrissey didn't take the piss out of him. Just vague platitudes and nothing specific.

[@luislizard2626]

What a cute host!!!

[@chocomanger6873]

Rare accent, stupid hairdo, skinny. I'll take it!

[@mojopin70]

Back then sexy girls also had hairy bushes it was so much more fun than today where most of them shave .

[@mojopin70]

Hard to find skinny in the U.K today Choco just blobs everywhere :(

[@Floral_Green]

mojopin 70 Not true for Millennials/Gen-Z as far as I can tell. Wouldn’t be surprised if research on the matter suggested a generational disparity in the distribution of obesity, even.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Today she would be Gemma Collins.

[@DarlinJacq]

This is an amazing interview and, as The GIAC, I AM The One being who is Abel to do it and NOW, I AM anxious to reunite The Smith's!!!

[@carolyna.869]

Can you imagine how many people became vegetarian thanks to Morrissey??

[@TruthBeltsVeganFashion]

Morrissey, you and Albert Einstein share the same view - adopting a vegetarian diet is the single best thing humans can do to keep our world healthy. You are both smarties :) I am a huge fan of yours!

[@FranFerdinanda]

Gosh! Morrissey is so beautiful and unique! He shines like a star. I would kidnap him and keep him with me forever, with all my love.

[@musclethings1]

he's so cute...

[@wallacelovecraft8942]

Good interview.

[@ColonelNickSteel]

Such an intelligent interview. Why don't we see this type of interaction anymore between interviewer and artist? Everything is dumbed down for the sheeple these days thus the average IQ continues to plummet.

[@petelovatt8357]

Not on TV but the internet filled in. Joe Rogan is levels above a TV interview.

[@freya8133]

​@@petelovatt8357Rogan's an idiot.

[@Dagger-Deep]

​@@petelovatt8357 Isn't Rogan and Alex Jones buddies?

[@redlady935]

2:15 this is actually a very profound point that is often overlooked

[@ajshep123]

Wow this was broadcast 29 years ago today!

[@luzaguirre2830]

The optimism is in the honoring of what we experience by turning it into art

[@patrickfitzgerald409]

Good to see that he doesn't get psyched out by the staring alien that suddenly appears @ 2.25.

[@Retroalicemichael]

He’s very smart but he does have a bit of a different air to him not a bad thing I like it

[@PAULLONDEN]

Not against eating meat,but expecting to have meat on your plate every day is just plain idiocy indeed.

[@paulobarreto3576]

Such a interessing voice

[@DarlinJacq]

The words were cemented in the younger generations back then so, when the right time came, and they were the older generation (as is the case NOW), the words could consciously, be used as messages😘😘😘👍

[@PiggoNZ]

The interview took an unexpected turn with the introduction of the psychic lol

[@ladylovecodes]

love this

[@domdom9496]

Morrissey is right here, I have lived in the UK for decades and NOT ONCE have i ever heard any track from The Sex Pistols 'Boll+++s' album played on daytime radio .....,,,,or even night time radio.

[@markmanzo6711]

This was back when Morrissey was indeed a legend so long ago, it was a different Moz back then. Time is nobody's friend.

[@rhondaquintero7369]

He still is. Always will be.

[@pacolastra2374]

I really like his English accent

[@micpoc4597]

Of course, this is a great interview, but I have to say: the set design and vibe here are fantastic.

[@Satsusss]

Like Morrissey I prefer animals to humans. Animals are completely innocent like babys, and we the human race they look up to for protection, help and safety, and what do we do, torture and slaughter them for our own selfish greed. Morrissey said it perfectly whats the difference between killing an innocent defenceless helpless child to doing the same to an innocent helpless defenceless animal. The world is an evil place and its all down to humans, we cant live without having to exploit animals to our own advantages, food, entertainment, clothes, science, medicine etc. etc. No wonder he doesn't like people.

[@EuropeanTourism]

Go back to Russia you veggie communist

[@fruuitloupp7574]

Innocent? You wouldn't be saying that if a hungry lion was charging after you!

[@claudiopacini3214]

tree.house so we might to eat sharks

[@TTUploads]

***** Oh yeah because meat eaters just don't get cancer at all.....

[@caseyd321]

Ok, you posted this a long time ago. I love your love for animals, but do you share the same angst for those innocent babies being slaughtered by way of abortion?

[@OswaldoLafee]

Try telling Morrisey today what to do and how to behave... and good luck with that! Long live the Smiths!

[@johnandkate1000]

Muriel Gray the tube legend

[@tahsinsabah833]

I both hate him and love him

[@outdoorminer5533]

“Flagbearer for future values.” Very true.

[@j.4689]

6:55 "Just a Shadow" by Big Country. Actually, one of the greatest songs ever written.

[@danielmcdermott138]

Couldn't agree more.

[@freya8133]

Nah. Fields of Fire was better.

[@jas22]

God, I loved you Brits when I could get snippets of interviews or dialogue from the likes of the Manchester people, or more dour musicians (as opposed to the pop gods such as Duran D, Phil Collins, et al - all very talented, indeed, but not as interesting to me as, say Moz or Pete Burns or Peter Murphy, for example.). Always such lovely discussion, not combative, rarely digging for sexy dirt or past moments of embarassing hedonism or drunkedness..... and, from this interview, I have learned for the first time of this band White China....and now enjoying "Real World" as it plays in another youtube window.

[@papabless428]

My right ear enjoyed this video.

[@jamiewm]

I've never seen this interview before, I really like the interviews from the Smiths days, he always seems more relaxed. Interviews now always feel very awkward, he makes it pretty clear that he would rather be somewhere else!

[@RookTaunton]

Best morrissey interview ever from my perspective! Mmm

[@RookTaunton]

It doesn't have to be that way by Sparks comes to mind.

[@NITE_SHIFTING]

I want my room to look like this studio set!

[@moreodat479]

gawd every fuckin studio looked like that

[@desativado9332]

Love him

[@therajgreek420]

2:30 ah well, he said it in his recent single!

[@Jackmc2112]

The Smiths had two albums in the UK top 10 by 13JUL85 (Live Aid). I was at JFK that day yet never heard of them. What a crime.