Morrissey wants to be done with The Smiths once and for all. In a recent blog post on his official website titled “A SOUL FOR SALE,” the mercurial singer announced that he is selling his entire stake in the band, including his rights to its name, songs, merch, and publishing.
“Morrissey has no choice but to offer for sale all of his business interests in ‘The Smiths’ to any interested party / investor,” the announcement begins.
The sale includes:
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.
In the post, Morrissey explained his reasoning for the decision: “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.”
Morrissey then instructed “any serious investors” to email eaves7760@gmail.com.
The announcement follows years of public feuding between the band’s members. The conflict reignited last year after Johnny Marr publicly brushed off the idea of a potential Smiths reunion. Morrissey then accused Marr of ignoring a “lucrative offer” to reunite the group, though Marr clarified that he simply said “no.”
That spat escalated into a conflict over The Smiths’ trademark, with Morrissey alleging that Marr had acquired the rights without “any consultation.” Marr refuted this claim, stating he had reached out to Morrissey in 2018 “to work together in protecting The Smiths’ name” after discovering the band didn’t own it. According to The Guardian, Morrissey and Marr each own 50% of the group’s rights.
Outside of The Smiths, Morrissey is currently scheduled to embark on a solo North American tour next week — though fans should brace for potential postponements and cancellations.
