Bill Morrissey

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Photo of Bill Morrissey from Concerted Efforts.

Bill Morrissey (born on November 25, 1951 in Hartford, Connecticut) is an American folk singer/songwriter from New Hampshire. Many of his songs reflect the harsh realities of life in crumbling New England mill towns. His album Standing Eight, considered his best work by some critics, was inspired by the breakdown of his first marriage, and his album Something I Saw Or Thought I Saw came out of his divorce from second wife Ellen Karas (who is still his manager). He is a friend of Greg Brown, with whom he recorded the album Friend of Mine. His album Songs of Mississippi John Hurt consisted entirely of covers of songs by the eponymous blues musician. He has also produced albums by such artists as Ellis Paul and Peter Keane.

In 1996, Morrissey published his first novel, Edson, named after the fictional New Hampshire town where the story is set. His second novel, Imaginary Runner, is awaiting publication; its first chapter was published in the June 1998 issue of the Idaho Review.

Morrissey, best known for his depressive lyrics, also occasionally writes such humorous songs as Party at the U.N. ("It's such a happy community / Everyone's got diplomatic immunity") and Grizzly Bear, about a frustrated working-class gentleman dating a wealthy young woman who wants to "dance till we dehydrate", while he just wants to "take her home and dance the grizzly bear".