At Last I Am Born

Taken from what is widely considered Morrisseys "love" album, the closing track off Ringleader of the Tormentors" is a stately address of where it's creator was at circa 2006. His comeback gracefully handled this album served notice that You are the Quarry was no mere fluke and the creative rebirth was progressing into, well at least a creative prepubescence. While some decry it as a significantly weaker album to Quarry (my own thoughts will become clear as I review its songs) as the finishing touch "At Last I Am Born" is a mighty send off.

Swooping in on an operatic clamour the song seems, to these ears, to be Morrissey reflecting on his own persona and poking fun at his own self parodic nature. It also has a little fun on our behalf as fans. We're obviously drawn to his work and continue to listen since we have so much invested in his themes. The romantic obsessive, the doomed loner, these aspects of his personality are his most examined but this song seems to at first dissect and finally discard them.

A supremely arrogant opening line "At last I am Born, Historians note" shows us that the narcissism of this Irish Blooded, English hearted man is still firmly in place. He then proceeds to undercut every lazy assumption we've retained about him. He once did chase affection withdrawn (Well documented there Mozzer) but now he just sits back and yawns apparently. Time used to accentuate despair but now he doesn't actually care. Phew. That's a relief. It may be that his joy is fleeting (isn't it always?) or it might just be a smokescreen but taken as read this shows the most contented view of the man we've ever had. Despite the fact we would have been robbed of a very good album in Years of Refusal, I always think this would have been a fine send off for Morrisseys career. OK, a bit too tidy in a Hollywood movie sort of way, the happy ending might have been a tad too cloying for some but in following the ups and downs of this mans life, I certainly wouldn't have begrudged him this as an optimistic conclusion to his artistic travels. He mentions getting over his guilt regarding matters of the flesh and I would wish him well.

However we all know it can't be that simple, that direct. Is the bluster of the song real or contrived? Has he found the one true free life? It would have been a wonderful curtain close on the observation he made way back in the Smiths first ever single "Hand in Glove" where he says "The good life is out there somewhere, so stay on my arm you little charmer." Morrissey full circle? I tend to think of him as cylindrical, plenty of space in the back.

The mention of Claude Brasseur seems like further arty name dropping (see also: "You Have Killed Me") but Morrisseys interests have always tickled and intrigued us and how many sought out Mr. Brassuer after hearing the song I wonder? A strident self analysis set to a blistering call to arms, even if more angst and loveless-ness was to come with the afterbirth.