Morrissey, I Have Forgiven Jesus

I guess that most fans will say "no, it isn't", well that's fair and maybe even true but it surely is one of his best songs in my modest opinion. Very strong lyrics indeed, a powerful voice. Morrissey is yet again quite angry and he should be! This is Morrissey at his best!

This single took a while to grow on me, as the title suggests that Morrissey was being flippant and he was just out to shock people and it's not the most immediate melody he's ever put his lyrics to. But having said that, the title, it turns out, is just typical Morrissey word play and the sentiment itself is rather moving. He sings, "I have forgiven Jesus for all of the love he placed in me when there's no one I can turn to with this love..." Basically he is saying that he's learned to deal with the loneliness he feels and with reaching out and not having it reciprocated. The title simply reflects how he's wrestled with the religion with which he was raised and how what he was taught has differend from his experience in the real world and how he's come to terms with both.

I like it. Morrissey sounds sincere and thoughtful and far from flippant and it's a shame this didn't chart higher and for longer.