Meaning of “Angel, Angel Down We Go Together” by Morrissey

Angel, Angel Down We Go Together is the fifth track from singer Morrissey’s first solo album titled Viva Hate, which came out in 1988. The lyrics of the song see the narrator (Morrissey) pleading with someone he loves not to take their life. He pleads with the person (whom he refers to as “Angel”) to keep holding on to life despite being used and abused by people around them. He ends by telling the “Angel” that he loves them more than life itself.

The bottom line is that the narrator (Morrissey) is begging someone very dear to him (his Angel) not to commit suicide.

Our Favorite Line from the Song

Here is our favorite line from the song Angel, Angel Down We Go Together:

On a number of Morrissey fan sites, including Passions Just Like Mine, there have been statements that claim Morrissey said in an interview in the early 1990s that he wrote Angel, Angel, Down We Go Together with former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr in mind. According to the interview in question, Morrissey said he saw how Marr was constantly being used, pushed around and manipulated in the music industry and felt very sad for both he and Marr because he (Morrissey) was also facing the same problem in the industry.

The interview, which reportedly came out in 1992, cannot be verified since the news organization Morrissey reportedly spoke to is unknown.

Facts about “Angel, Angel Down We Go Together”

• The song was written by Morrissey and Stephen Street.
• The song got its title from the 1969 film Angel, Angel, Down We Go starring Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Jones and Jordan Christopher. It is worth noting that actress Jennifer Jones attempted committing suicide in 1967 and that Angel, Angel, Down We Go was Jones’ first film appearance after her suicide attempt. What is also worth noting is that Morrissey’s Angel, Angel Down We Go Together has a suicide prevention theme in it.
• This song is one of Morrissey’s most inspiring songs, which many Morrissey fans have over the years claimed to have used to help holding on to life despite all the adversities around them. Simply put, the song has saved a number of Morrissey fans from committing suicide.