Morrissey

For their many fans, the breakup of the Smiths was a tragedy. Happily for them, there was much more heartache in store via frontman Morrissey's solo career. With songs like "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get," the master of misery shed the band that brought him fame, but retained his drolly despondent persona.

In the early '90s, just when his recording career appeared to be stalling, Morrissey rallied with the likes of the forceful "You're the One for Me, Fatty." Over time, the U.K. rock star has become a U.S. cult hero, even moving to Los Angeles — yet hasn't softened his inimitable cynicism one bit.

Whether performing before devotees or crooning the unlikely cover (witness his version of the Andy Williams staple "Moon River"), Morrissey brings a unique combination of passion and disengagement to his work. We defy you to name another artist who's been able to so convincingly combine a teardrop with a smirk.

Few thought that the 1987 demise of the Smiths signaled the end for its charismatic frontman. Indeed, moody, melodramatic Morrissey has continued to satisfy old fans in the U.K. while winning over a larger following across the Atlantic. Who but Morrissey could pen songs with titles like "Hairdresser on Fire" and "You're the One for Me, Fatty" and make them perplexingly moving? We combed the master miserablist's catalog, pulling together the tracks that no Morrissey obsessive should be without.