"I heard of Melanie Safka's death with a white-knuckle shiver. Her lyric poetry arrested me at the age of 11, and it made me whatever it is I became. She was one of those now extinct songwriters who encouraged you to see the truth … long before this 2024 … where people are suddenly petrified of opening dialogue. Melanie Safka immediately earned the status of Art, and none more deservedly so. I pray that she went to sleep in peace, and that she can hear my words of deathless gratitude." MORRISSEY.

MARY WEISS (right), RIP

Morrissey and Joni Mitchell