Fawning Fan:
Hi my name is Ramon of San Bernandino and my question is there is a picture of you in a few books where you are resting yourself on a tombstone which has your name on it and your date of birth and the year 1986. What does this picture mean for you and why 1986?
Well, Ramon, the answer is very simple. '86 because that was the year that the picture was taken and '59 because that was the year when I was born and nothing beyond that. Very, very simple... but not implying that I planned to die in '86. Just because that was the time it was.
So there you go. Now track 3 that we're going to move on to is called "Cosmic Dancer". Tell me about that.
It's a song that was made famous in England by T Rex. Do you know of T Rex?
Yes, I know Marc Bolan and the whole glam deal. I'm actually your age.
How old are you?
Well, just a couple of years younger.
Right, so you're not really my age, are you?
Well, we would have went to high school at the same time. How's that?
I didn't go to high school. I was a criminal. Um... it was written by Marc Bolan and it's one of his nicer moments.
What motivates you to do someone else's music?
Well, T Rex were very special to me because they were the first group I saw in '72. So... very passionate moment for me. I was 12 and a half I think at the time which is quite young to see somebody like that because he was quite wild in his own way.
And that's a pretty cool show to go to. Most people at that age would see the Spice Girls.
Exactly. I mean, you can draw direct parallels. But at this T Rex show it was incredible because people literally were breaking their necks against the stage. Really extreme. And a memory to cherish.
In your first days of going to concerts were you one of those people that went for the front and just had to be as close as you can be?
I've always been one of those people. Whatever the category, I've been one of those people. Yes, I was one of those people who would actually turn up at noon and I would be pressed against the door if it wasn't a seated venue, so you'd have to run straight to the front and you'd just stare for fifteen hours and by the time the group came on you were so exhausted and you left ten minutes later. You saw nothing. It was great.
Is there anybody now that you're really excited to see?
No. They're all dead.
No new upcoming acts, anything like that?
Absolutely not.

Another Fawning Fan:
My name's Ben from Moreno Valley and my question is I've been hearing a lot of rumors about an early retirement and I was wondering if they were true. And also when is the next time you were coming down for a tour.
Well, Ben, an early retirement, I don't think so because I have been around for something like fifteen years so early retirement isn't really possible now. And I really want to play as soon as I can. I'd like to do a college tour of this country as soon as possible. So I'm really trying.
Cool? Do you remember the college date you did here at Claremont at Bridges Auditorium which was on your last tour?
Oh yes, that was a great night.
Do you like doing theaters or outdoor? What kind of venues do you like to play?
Not really outdoor because I prefer indoor. The sound is better because it's contained and the place is warmer which makes it easier to sing. But I think I'm a person of the college/university type or a very small decrepit theater. Anywhere that's you know basically a struggle to get to.
Now track 4 of the CD obviously has the sad title of "Nobody Loves Me".
Well, I think it's a happy title. It depends on how you say it really. "Nobody Loves Us."
"Nobody Less Us"?
No, "Nobody Loves Us". And it's a beautiful song never released in this country before but I think one of my best, IF I may be allowed to say that.
Well, you certainly may.
Well, I've just said it.
We move on to track 5, "A Swallow On My Neck". You always have these great interesting titles.
Yeah, do I have... [Morrissey sounds as if he's about to say, 'Do I have to explain what this is about'] Um... It's about having a tattoo stamped on your neck which is a fantastic statement and always looks great I think unless it says something like, you know, AC/DC.
Do you have any tattoos?
Yes, I have an AC/DC tattoo actually. Recently erased. I had to have it erased.
Is it the "Back In Black"?
You've got it, you've got it. I think tattoos on necks can be very impressive, but why don't I have one? Well, call me a coward.
John and I get to go to London for the first time this year so we're really excited about that. Is there anywhere that you have not travelled yet that you'd still like to go or do you have a favorite place to go?
No, there's lots of places. I'd like to see Turkey, I'd like to see Moscow, and I'd like to see... (muffled) South Africa... from a plane... flying on the way to New Zealand.
Are you kind of a summer place kind of a guy? Do you like to go where it's sunny?
I'm actually an autumn type, really. Everything falling onto the ground, that's me. I'm not of the seasons really. I just go where the wind takes me... which is downtown L.A.

Another Fawning Fan:
Hi. My name is Stacey from San Bernardino and my question to Morrissey is why did it take him so long to perform Smiths songs again because I attended three of his concerts this past year and it was so great to hear him performing The Smiths again.
Well, I think that if I had began as a solo performer and immediately played The Smiths songs that people would accuse me of trying to latch onto The Smiths completely and it was important for me to establish a solo identity, which I think I've done. So, that's the only reason. I still love all those old songs, most of them, and listen to them every day, so it was very nice. But I had to do something else otherwise people would just say ... aaaaahhhh... no, no, no, no, no.
When you go on tour now what will you pick from that old stuff? What lights your fancy as far as what you want to do?
I think perhaps something that was never performed by The Smiths so that people won't make tedious comparisons and say well it wasn't as good or blahblahblahblah. So, something obscure I think and as I say that hadn't been performed by The Smiths.
Now when you're choosing the solo body of work what do you choose out of that and is it easy to choose a set and do you move around a lot?
It really is mostly the current songs - the songs of this year or the previous year and not going too far back and there seems to be for me a lot to choose from.
Yeah, you've got a big library to go through when you're picking those out.
Well, I have. I wasn't forcing you to say that but...
It's true.
It's practically true.
Let's go to the next track, this is track 6 and it's called "Sister I'm A Poet".
Yes, and the question that you're about to ask (laughter)... cannot be answered.

Another Fawning Fan:
Hi Morrissey. I just wanted to know how do you feel about having such a big hispanic audience in California.
I feel really good. I feel really good about that. I think... I love Mexico, I love Spain, so I'm really pleased. And it's a very passionate audience and I love them.
Which song best describes your life or is closest to it would you say?
Do you know most of the songs? Do you? Do you?
Um, yes.
It's very difficult because they all do really, in a small way. But the one I like the most from The Smiths is "Panic" and the one I like the most from me is, well, everything else. Is that a reasonable answer? No?
I'm sorry, I can't hear you. I think by reading books and so forth that it would be "Ask" from The Smiths. Would you agree?
Not really. I'm sorry about that.
Thanks for the call. Is "Panic" the song because of "Hang the DJ". Please don't say that's why or I'm in deep trouble tonight.
You're not in trouble, you're not in trouble.
Another Fawning Fan:
I wish to fawn because there's a man there in a studio who taught me what a "sycophantic slag" was and what "flatulence" was and I really do enjoy him and I just want to ask the question if he feels... what do you do in your spare time being such a poet? What do you do that makes you happy?
What do I do? Very little, I don't really have traditional...
They cut me off.
You're still there, we can hear you.
Is that a hard question?
It's an easy question. Can I answer it? I like swimming.
You're a big swimmer.
Yes.
Do you do all the strokes and all that?
No. I have dreams about further sports but I don't know people who are involved in sports and you have to otherwise you can't do them. I mean, you'd look very silly playing a game of baseball by yourself. So all I can do is swim, really.
Do you like to do snorkeling and swimming in the ocean and stuff like that?
No, I just like doing it in a really tiny pool in the back garden... with no water.
Well, that could be tough.
Not really. Use your imagination.
Let's check out another track off it, this is "Michaels Bones".
Ah yes. It's probably too sad for me to tell you what it's really about but, uh... there he lay.

Another Fawning Fan:
My name is Travis. My question for Morrissey... hello, Morrissey are you there?
I'm definitely here, yes.
It's Travis from Wilde About Morrissey. How have you been?
I've been really well. I've been really well.
I can barely hear you but I'm going to ask this question and maybe you can answer it. There's a song called "No One Can Hold A Candle To You" by Ray-Mone-Day and there was a rumor that you were going to record that.
That's right. How did you hear the rumor? I'm fascinated to know. How did you hear about it? And they were actually called Raymonde but people would say Raymoande and they were a great group. Do you know anything about them?
I do, it's a b-side, yeah but I can barely, barely hear you.
Yeah, but you've never actually heard the group Raymonde? You've never heard them?
Yes, Ray-mone-day, absolutely.
Have you heard the song?
No, I haven't heard the song. I've heard another song called "Ray-mone-day". It's a really good song.
It's a great song, yeah. I did want to do it. I did want to record it a long time ago. But something happened - something silly and messy and something to do with publishing and so forth, but it's something that I'd still quite like to do. So it just didn't happen because of a silly, messy reason, really, but it's a great song.
Yes it is, I'm sorry, I can barely hear you.
Well, that's okay, I'm not saying anything very intelligent anyway.
We're on track 9 now which is called "I'd Love To" from "My Early Burglary Years". What is this exactly from? Where did you cull this from?
This was another English b-side. In fact, I think it was a b-side here as well. And it's quite a nice romantic song. No, it isn't. It's not romantic. (laughs)
[Morrissey] has been gracious enough to sign some autographs for some contest winners and stuff, including some weird things. What's the weirdest thing that you can say on the radio that you ever had to sign or that you decided to sign?
Well, the weirdest thing I can't say on the radio. But the weirdest thing that I could say on the radio is probably the back of somebody's neck and then the next day I see the same person and it's tattooed.
Oh so they used it sort of like an outline?
Yeah. But that happens very, very frequently.

Embarrassingly Stupid Caller:
Hi, I'm Pat. My question was, Mr. Morrissey, if you had a message for the youth of America what would it be?
Well, Pat, that's a very difficult question. That's very difficult. What would your message for the youth of America be? Do you mind if I ask?
I couldn't quite make that out I'm sorry.
It's a very difficult question. I wondered what your message would be for the youth of America? What would you say to young people? See, you don't know.
Are you at a loss for words Pat or did you not hear the question?
No, I could not hear it, I'm sorry.
We've reversed the question to you. What would you say?
Well, let's see... "live life for the fullest"... "for oneself be true"... and "fulfill all you can". [Can you say 'Dial-A-Cliche'? - T.M.]
You took the words out of my mouth. Thank you.
I think that that works for me.
Me too, me too.
We're up to track 10 on the new CD. As we move to track 10, this one is called "Reader Meet Author".
Yes, it certainly is. It's about just that really. A reader meeting an author and being very disappointed.
Was there anyone in particular...
No, I just made that up really... just now.
Have there been any authors or poets that you've met?
Yes, and always disappointed. Where is that golden light, I wonder? San Bernardino!

I was curious to ask you if you had heard of a group called Die Cheerleader.
Die Cheerleader?
Yeah, they're an American group.
No, actually I don't.
Howie knows them. You've heard of them? (Howie: I've heard of them...)
Howie, you can step over here to the microphone. Howie's shy.
I just thought this tape behind me was Die Cheerleader but it just says "Cheerleaders" on it . Does that mean that it's some kind of a jingle, cheerleaders?
It probably is. Is that what it is? Bring it over here, John, I'll play it for you so you can hear what it sounds like. I think it's what John plays all the time when he's on the air. John actually is on the air from 6 to 10 every night. See, I told you we just sort of do whatever.
I wish I hadn't said this.
Now you're gonna find out. [Horrible Jingle:] "KCXX... Give me a K... Give me a C... Give me an X... Give me an X... What's that spell? X 103.9 Whooo!!"
It's funny because Die Cheerleader sound just like that. (laughter)
Just a tad more aggressive, I would assume.
No, not really.
We've worked our way up to track 11 which is "Passionate Love".
"Pashernate Love", yes. It's just a very simple pop song. You know, just another scratchy page from...
And where did this come from? Was this a b-side as well?
It was an English b-side, yes. And I think it possibly was a b-side here too. And it's not bad, really...
Is it kind of hard to keep track of what gets over here? Or do you get involved in the process of what's going to be over here and at home?
I do try to, yes, but sometimes it's hard. And it's easy to forget what's happened as the years roll by and you know one gets very old and things like that and things start falling off.
What is the definition of a b-side? Is it something where you like, 'Well, I'll write it for a b-side' or is it just something that's sitting on the shelf and you go 'Well, let's put this on for a b-side'"?
I always believed that b-sides could be just as powerful as A-sides really. So, they've never been inferior for me. Never, never...
Sometimes b-sides turn out to be...
Yep, I mean b-sides of other people I've remembered since I was... 38.
I remember years ago when XTC had "Dear God" as a b-side and it turned out to be...
What did it turn out to be exactly?
One of their most well-known songs.
Never heard of it. (laughter)
We're up to number 12 which is "The Girl Least Likely To". Now, you have to tell me if there's a particular person...
Yes there is and it was quite terrible for me because this person listened to the song and immediately knew and a terrible fight ensued. But that was many years ago and... but still... quite interesting. I wish I'd been a bit more secretive though. But what the hell! You know...
Are there any songs you've written that people have approached you that you know that said, "That was about me" and it was like they totally got it wrong?
Yeah, that has happened a few times and I often wonder why people think they're so incredibly important that I'd actually include them in a song. So, it's quite funny though, it's quite funny.

Another lame caller:
Hi, Morrissey. Oh Gosh, Morrissey, first of all, I'm right outside the studio and I just want to tell you first of all how much of an inspiration you are to, like, all of us. We like all love you out here and I'm sorry for all the people who are causing a ruckus out here and you know... but ...
What's your name? What's your name? What's your name?
My name's Alisa.
Louisa.
Alisa.
Alisa.
Alisa and I'm from Chino and my question is I wanted to know what the song "Ambitious Outsiders" is about because a lot of people have different opinions and one guy said it was about murder and I totally don't believe it's about murder. So I just wanted your...
Well, it's about how easy it is to be seen as an outsider of society and how easy it is to be seen as somebody who doesn't belong and who has strange ideas. I should know. I'm one of those people.
Oh my god... I love you so much... Okay, my boyfriend and his brother are here and they just wanted to tell you that they love you real quick, is that okay?
That's okay.
I tell you what, scream real loud from the parking lot and he can probably hear you, okay. Thanks for the call.
Okay ready, one two three guys, ready? Scream "I love you Morrissey". I LOVE YOU MORRISSEY!!! One two three - "I LOVE YOU MORRISSEY!!! WHOOOO!!!!"
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thanks for the call. That's from one of the people out in the parking lot. We had a few people who drove out here from Arizona.
That's incredible. I can't believe that.
I don't know how they found out about it because you can't hear us in Arizona but somehow they found out and they're here and I hope you guys are having a good time out there. You can make a cheer and I'm sure we can hear you from inside here. Moving on to another track on the CD. This one - "Jack The Ripper". A live track. Do you know where this was recorded?
It was recorded in Paris, I think. And of course you know Jack the Ripper? You know of Jack the Ripper?
Yes, we know Jack the Ripper. We have lots of them out here.
Yes, I know.
Is there anyplace anywhere in the world that you'd really like to go to perform? Is there a favorite?
That's very, very difficult. Very, very difficult. Chicago is a great place. I have trouble in New York and in L.A. something always happens, something always goes wrong. But yes, so many, many places and a lot of them are in this country.

Another Fawning Fan:
Yeah, this is Roger from San Bernardino. Hey Morrissey.
Hello.
How are you doing? I wanted to ask you how would you classify your music as in like alternative or... you know what I mean?
Yeah, well, in the '80's it was considered to be "alternative" and "independent" Now, everybody seems to be alternative, which really baffles me. Everybody seems to be alternative which is very strange. But to me, really, I think it was always simply just pop music.
Well, to me, I consider you to have a different style of music from everyone else.
That's kind of you.
I think you just created a new style and it's great.
That's really nice of you.
You're really good and I love you. Thanks.
Thank you.
Thanks for your call man. Back in the '80's as you mentioned part of the thing was that there wasn't 120 alternative sort of radio stations so I guess that made it different for you, you had to actually tour more and really go out and touch people in the sense of actually being there because you didn't have 120 radio stations. Did that make it different?
It was actually very difficult and now it seems very easy for people who are so-called "alternative" or even "independent" and even major labels try to market their artists as being "independent" so back in the '80's it was really, really, really difficult. But part of it is really opening the door for what will follow and I think I was a part of that in the '80's.
Yeah, definitely. One of the first through to open the door.
Howie Klein: You opened the door for Matchbox 20.
Well, let it be closed.
Let's check out the next track which is called "I've Changed My Plea To Guilty". Can you tell me something about this song and the writing of it please?
Well, sometimes there's no point pretending that you're innocent and so forth. You may as well just jump off the cliff and say, "I'm guilty".

The Lame Caller Strikes Again:
Hi, my name is Jornay (sp?) and I'm from San Bernardino and I'd like to ask - I would just like to know what poets have had an influence on Morrissey's music - his lyrics in particular - so I'll be able to sleep tonight because it's really bothering me.
Well, the poet who means the most to me is a poet called AE Housman. Have you ever heard of him?
Yes, I have actually. I'm recently taking a literature class at Cal State and I am a fan of AE Housman as well, so that's great to know. What poems in particular? If you can, I'm sure you're so well-read, that...
Well, he had a 30-year gap between his poetry books, which is very interesting. One was called "Last Poems" and one was called "More Poems" and they're very, very... they're really, really sad and really powerful but beautiful poems.
Well, I think it would be an understatement to say that your lyrics are very sad and very powerful.
Mmmm... Who's your favorite poet?
More contemporary... Anne Sexton, Margaret Atwood, I guess more contemporary would be Marge Piercy.
What's your favorite Anne Sexton poem?
You want to really know? It would be "Daddy". [Actually by Sylvia Plath - how embarrassing - T.M.]
Oh my god...
There are various others.
There's obviously a very wicked side to your personality.
Obviously, obviously. Thank you. I won't keep you long, but I thank you for all the music and everything you've contributed to my life.
Thank you.
We'll take another caller here...
Hello? Hey!! Hi, Morrissey.
Hello.
How are you?
I'm extra well.
Oh that's good. On your last concert towards the end you were like that you only had one regret that you wish that you were born Mexican. What do you imply by that?
Well, I love Mexico. I really do love Mexico.
What part of Mexico?
Tijuana.
Really?
No I'm kidding. Tijuana is the least favorite part of Mexico. I love Mexico. I think it's so, so glamorous.
Really?
Yeah.
Can you do me one favor? My Mom's from Zacatecas. Can you say "I love Zacatecas".
Sack of wot?
Zacatecas.
Zacatecas.
Thank you and I hope you have a nice stay here.
Oh, I always do.
Let's go on to track 15 now, "The Boy Racer" - I know this one well. Why decide to put this version on?
Well, um, it's a great song.
Yes, it is. And that's all you're gonna say?
There you go.

Another Fawning Fan:
Hi. Hi Morrissey.
Hello.
How you doing?
I'm very well, thank you.
I have a question to ask you. What do you think of your music being done in other languages? I know in Spanish they sing "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out".
Yeah, I've heard that and I think it's really good. I think it's beautiful, really well done. I have a cassette from the radio but I don't know who does it.
Oh, I don't either, that's why I thought that I'd ask you.
You should find out and call us back so you can tell him.
Thank you. Thanks a lot.
Another Fawning Fan:
Hello?
Hello.
Hello, Morrissey. This is Andrew.
Hello, Andrew.
Hi. How are you doing? I can't believe I'm talking to you. I saw you in San Diego just recently. I touched your foot and it was like a high point of my life. The last five years I've listened pretty much exclusively to you and I really appreciate what you've done for me. I just had a question. Did you feel anything about Frank Sinatra's passing? Was he an influence on you at all?
Yes I did. I thought he had patches of brilliance and I thought he gave a great deal to people. Lots of people didn't like him as a person I gather and the eulogies in England were very, very bad but I think he was one of the greatest.
Okay, I just wanted to get on the air and talk to you and say once again, I'm gonna continue listening to you probably until I die and I appreciate everything you've done for me. Thanks a lot.
Thank you.
Thanks for the call. X103.9, Sunday Music Meeting. We're getting to one more track here but beforehand I wanted to thank you again for coming by. It's been a great time for me and everybody here and for everyone outside give a cheer for Morrissey coming out and waving to you. And we have one track here which we were talking about a little while ago is one you particularly like.
Yes.
What is it you like so much about this?
This final track called "Boxers" is a very, very important song for me. I think it is a beautiful song (laughs). I would. But no, I love it. It's very, very close to me.
And one final question, everyone wants to know if there's going to be a tour this year or next year.
I'm trying and I hope it's really, really, really soon.

This interview was originally aired on KCXX radio in San Bernardino on August 9, 1998.
Reprinted without permission for personal use only. Special thanks to Melinda Hsu for the audio copy of the interview and for correction to the transcription.