Former Smiths frontman Morrissey has long been celebrated as an arch lyricist, but in an unlikely turn of events, academics have produced an 8000-word study applying his words to relationship dynamics in the business world.
Business Relationships The Morrissey Way sees relationship attraction, development and dissolution applied to the relationship between buyers and suppliers in the food industry; somewhat ironic given Morrissey´s staunch vegetarianism.
The paper, which has been published in the British Food Journal, was written by marketing lecturers Sheena Leek (Birmingham Business School), Dr Martin Hingley (Harper Adams University College) and Dr Adam Lindgreen, Professor Of Strategic Marketing at Hull University.
The authors cite lyrics such as ‘The sun shines out of our behinds. No it´s not like any other love. This one is different, because it´s us´ from Hand In Glove, claiming that it reflects the business trend for dominant buyers to practice discrimination in their relationships with suppliers, and such tactics as exclusivity agreements.
Of course, Morrissey´s own business relationships have often been the subject of scrutiny and characterised by legal wrangling. Frankly, Mr Shankly was allegedly penned with Rough Trade label boss Geoff Travis in mind, while the singer famously informed Smiths bassist Andy Rourke that his services were no longer required by leaving the following note under his car windscreen wiper: “Andy, you have left The Smiths. Good luck and goodbye, Morrissey".
In other academia-related Smiths news, Morrissey´s former writing partner Johnny Marr is now Visiting Professor Of Music at Salford University.
If you are itching to write your very own food industry allegory, check out MusicRadar´s 24 lyric-writing tips, or this blog for some helpful advice.
