Morrissey wants to sell all ‘business interests’ in The Smiths: ‘A soul for sale’
“The songs are me – they are no one else – but they bring with them business communications that go to excessive lengths to create as much dread and spite year after year”
Morrissey has shared a message stating his desire to sell all his “business interests” in The Smiths.
Saying in a post on his website that he is “burnt out by any and all connections” to his former bandmates, Morrissey titled the message: “A soul for sale.”
“Morrissey has no choice but to offer for sale all of his business interests in “The Smiths” to any interested party / investor,” the message began. It went on to lay out what exactly is for sale, including:
“1. The name ‘The Smiths’, as created by Morrissey.
2. All Smiths artwork, as created by Morrissey.
3. All Smiths merchandising rights.
4. All Smiths songs lyrically / musically.
5. All synchronisation rights.
6. All Smiths recordings.
7. All contractual rights for Smiths publishing.”
Morrissey himself said: “I am burnt out by any and all connections to Marr, Rourke, Joyce. I have had enough of malicious associations. With my entire life I have paid my rightful dues to these songs and these images.
“I would now like to live disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction, and this is the only resolution. The songs are me – they are no one else – but they bring with them business communications that go to excessive lengths to create as much dread and spite year after year. I must now protect myself, especially my health.”
The comments are the latest in a line of recent communication regarding The Smiths between Morrissey and Johnny Marr.
Last year, the release of a ‘Greatest Hits’ album from The Smiths was “blocked” by Marr, according to Morrissey.
It came a week after the singer claimed that he accepted an offer to reunite The Smiths in 2024, but Marr rejected the proposal.
In a post on his website, a representative for Morrissey claimed that a Smiths reunion offer landed on both Morrissey and Marr’s desks earlier this summer, with the singer accepting the proposal but his bandmate not doing the same.
“In June 2024 AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as ‘The Smiths’ throughout 2025,” it said.
“Morrissey said Yes to the offer; Marr ignored the offer. Morrissey undertakes a largely sold out tour of the USA in November. Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.”