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Kirsty Young's castaway is the singer-songwriter Morrissey.

Kirsty Young's castaway is Morrissey.

As the lead singer of The Smiths he captivated a generation of angst-ridden teenagers and, a quarter of a century later, he remains the outsider's outsider.

As a child, he was enthralled by the emotion and beauty in pop music. He discovered the joy of public performance when, as a six-year-old boy, he stood on a table and started singing. But from an early age he felt he had to avoid everything conventional life had to offer. 'I just didn't want the norm in any way, he says, 'and I didn't get it. And I'm very glad.'

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Record: (There's Gonna Be A) Showdown, New York Dolls
Book: The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde
Luxury: A comfy bed with lots of pillows.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 4 Dec 2009 09:00

Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • New York Dolls

      (There's Gonna Be a) Showdown

      • Too Much Too Soon.
      • Mercury.
  • Marianne Faithfull

    Come and Stay With Me

    • Tears Go By/Stay With Me.
    • Decca.
  • Ramones

    Loudmouth

    • Ramones: All the Stuff (and More).
    • Sire.
  • The Velvet Underground

    The Black Angel's Death Song

    • The Velvet Underground & Nico.
    • Verve.
  • Klaus Nomi

    Der Nussbaum (from Myrthen)

    • Klaus Nomi: The Collection.
    • RCA.
  • Nico

    I'm Not Saying

    • Folk Rock & Faithfull: Dream Babes Vol. 5.
    • RPM.
  • Iggy and The Stooges

    Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell

    • Raw Power.
    • Columbia.
  • Mott the Hoople

    Sea Diver

    • All the Young Dudes.
    • Columbia.
  • Book Choice

    • The Complete Works - Oscar Wilde

  • Luxury Choice

    • A comfy bed with lots of pillows

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Morrissey

Broadcasts

  • Sun 29 Nov 2009 11:15
  • Fri 4 Dec 2009 09:00

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