Last week, Morrissey was a guest on a BBC Radio 4 program called Desert Island Discs. The show features guest musicians who visit the studios in London, answer questions with host Kirsty Young and play eight songs they would want to have if they were a castaway on a deserted island.
In addition to a fascinating interview in which Morrissey talks about his childhood, distaste for conventional life and suicide, the program intertwines The Smiths‘ former frontman’s eight tracks, which we have replicated in today’s mix. Morrissey’s choices of the New York Dolls, Marianne Faithful, The Ramones, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Velvet Underground and others help paint a portrait of one of rock’s most celebrated musicians.
In addition to these songs, Morrissey would bring a bed, Oscar Wilde‘s works and sleeping pills. Morrissey’s songs are presented in order that they were played during the Desert Island Discs program, which you can stream via BBC Radio’s iPlayer.
Morrissey’s top eight tracks as a castaway:
“(There’s Gonna Be a) Showdown” – New York Dolls from Too Much Too Soon
“Come and Stay With Me” – Marianne Faithfull from Tears Go By/Stay With Me
“Loudmouth” – The Ramones from Ramones: All The Stuff (and More)
“The Black Angel’s Death Song” – The Velvet Underground from The Velvet Underground & Nico
“Der Nussbaum” (YouTube audio) – Klaus Nomi from Klaus Nomi: The Collection
“I’m Not Saying” – Nico from Folk Rock & Faithful: Dream Babes, Vol. 5
“Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell” – Iggy & The Stooges from Raw Power
“Sea Diver” – Mott the Hoople from All The Young Dudes
Bonus: “Every Day Is Like Sunday”
Related: Morrissey’s Favorite Songs of All Time