HBD Morrissey! A Brief Explanation Why (Some) Mexicans love Him

It's Morrissey's birthday! Yes, I'm a Morrissey fan, I'll give you a moment to make your jokes. I have no shame in showing my love for Morrissey.

And while it may be an over generalization to say that all Mexicans love Morrissey, but damn, there's a lot of us out there.There's this whole culture surrounding Mexicans and oldies and Morrissey. I can't explain it but I definitely know all the words to "Angel Baby" and "I'm Your Puppet." but I also know all the words to "First of the Gang to Die" and "How Soon is Now?"

A lot of these songs are called "Chicano Oldies" and that's a whole category in itself. It's definitely it's own culture but it definitely has a correlation to Morrissey, stay with me here. Mexicans are known for this machismo and exaggerated pride that most of the Spanish music throws out there, but there is also another side. Lots of oldies, Rancheras, and, lots of Morrissey songs deal with heartbreak and death and shattered dreams. Songs like "Smile Now Cry Later" by Sunny and the Sunliners and "I want the one I can't have" by Morrissey both deal with unrequited love. Something that Mexicans would call wimpy instead is blasted at every Sunday carne asada. This expands to more than just music, it's a lifestyle.

But what is it about this white vegan British singer that captivates Latinos all around? Maybe it's the pompadour and cholo style he wears, or his open love for Mexico and Mexicans. Many think it's the way he openly talks about being excluded and how growing up as second and third generation Mexican-Americans we can relate. But I think Luis from "Ant-Man" puts it in simpler terms...we relate to his melancholic ballads.