As part of our Morrissey Book Club project, Soundcheck’s Joel Meyer is reading “Autobiography” with other fans of the Smiths frontman and solo artist. Get updates by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter @Soundcheck. Tweet your reactions to the memoir with the hashtag #MozClub

If you’re like me, fellow Book Clubber, you’re marching toward our first milestone, page 145 on Thursday. The first pages are a bit of a slog (Manchester was dreary in the 1960s. We get it!) But once you get past the “streets upon streets upon streets” scene-setting, there’s a wonderful distraction starting on p. 18 that sent me down a YouTube rabbit hole.

Here’s why: Morrissey lists 28 different television shows that he loved (deeply) as a kid.

Sure, there’s family fare like Candid Camera, Batman and the Eurovision Song Contest. But most of Moz’s picks involve cartoons, paper animation and those weird action-marionettes that the British seem to love. I grew up on American cartoons of the 1980s, which were generally about bodybuilding (He-Man), wealth (DuckTales) and terrorism (G.I. Joe). So I find old British children’s TV truly exotic.

And, man, some of these theme songs are amazing. Here for your YouTube viewing pleasure are just some of Morrissey’s 28 favorite classic-TV shows, with a few excerpts from his treatise in the memoir.

Champion the Wonder Horse

Television is the only place where we banish ourselves from the community of the living, and where the superficial provides more virtue than the actual. We watch in order to find ecstasy, for at last we can survive in someone else. (p. 18)

Deputy Dawg

The French Belle and Sebastian once again shows the world beyond England as a better place for kids, and I am already ripe for disappearance. (p.19) 

Belle and Sebastian (Updated w/ French version -- JM)

Television is black and white, so therefore life itself is black and white. (p.19)

Pinky and Perky

Tarzan is Ron Ely, a dimple-smile of warmth from a man who lives without electricity and sanitation, with a chest broad enough to land a 747 on. (p.21)

Tarzan

On the children’s series Thunderbirds: “They are, of course, animated puppets, yet there are as real as I am. But how real am I?” (p.21)

Thunderbirds

Television flickers and fleets and must be watched closely lest what you see is never seen again. Whatever you see you will never forget. (p.19)

Fireball XL5