Yesterday I had the privilege to see Morrissey play a concert at The Moore Theatre in Seattle, WA. What a show! I’m so in awe. I’ve loved his music since the early days of The Smiths but I hadn’t had the chance to see him until now.

Morrissey is a musical icon and a champion for animals. He’s an outspoken vegan and stands up for animal wrongs. Those qualities makes me love him even more than if he were simply a performer.

Morrissey opened with Shoplifters of the World Unite and continued on with songs from virtually all of his albums–with a few Smiths songs thrown in for good measure: Every Day is Like Sunday, Ouija Board, This Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore, Irish Heart, English Blood, and Haven’t had a Dream in a Long Time.

The show was energetic and exciting but the mood got serious when Morrissey sang a rendition of Meat is Murder.

The disturbing Meet Your Meat video, which shows undercover footage of factory farms and slaughterhouses, played on the huge screen behind the band while Morrissey sang. The imagery combined with the haunting music and heavy percussion was powerful.

After the song, Morrissey said, “Everyone should know everything.” Someone in the crowd yelled, “Tell us the truth!” to which Morrissey pointed at the screen and responded, “That is the truth. I’ve been telling you the truth for a long time.”

PETA had a table in the lobby where people could pick up vegan brochures. I’m so happy that the animals have Morrissey in their corner. I could stand on the street all day and tell people about the cruel treatment of animals but it wouldn’t have the same effect as being in a theater watching your idol and listening to what he has to say. Morrissey had a captive audience and the message hit home.

If you ever have a chance to see Morrissey, go to the show! He doesn’t disappoint.

Meat Is Murder

Heifer whines could be human cries
Closer comes the screaming knife
This beautiful creature must die
This beautiful creature must die
A death for no reason
And death for no reason is MURDER

And the flesh you so fancifully fry
Is not succulent, tasty or kind
It’s death for no reason
And death for no reason is MURDER

And the calf that you carve with a smile
Is MURDER
And the turkey you festively slice
Is MURDER
Do you know how animals die ?

Kitchen aromas aren’t very homely
It’s not “comforting”, cheery or kind
It’s sizzling blood and the unholy stench
Of MURDER

It’s not “natural”, “normal” or kind
The flesh you so fancifully fry
The meat in your mouth
As you savour the flavour
Of MURDER

NO, NO, NO, IT’S MURDER
NO, NO, NO, IT’S MURDER
Oh … and who hears when animals cry?