Total respect for you for listening to the entire song without pausing to comment. I think you pretty much got the meaning of it, although as any piece of art it is subject to interpretation, I agree with you. Glad you listen to The Smiths, my favorite band
The great thing about The Smiths is that their lyrics rarely mention gender, so they are open to every personal interpretation. Most of them could work for defining both a straight and a gay relationship, and that's one of the reasons why their appeal was so wide. Personally I've always felt Morrisey's lyrics are mostly about unrequited gay love and not fitting in with either gay or straight archetypes (probably because that was my case), but in the end he was writing, with so much wit and flair, about loneliness, falling in love, longing, sadness, fleeting moments of happiness and the inevitable disappointment, and all those are very universal and relateable feelings. I agree with the reviewer's interpretation of a gay boy being thrown out of his house, that was always mine too, but in the end it's also about loneliness and not being able to find love, either because it is unrequited or because of shyness, like in this song. Even in his happier moments there are always shadows in Morrissey's lyrics.
Morrissey's family and extended family lived in the same street in Manchester in old Victoian houses, it was a close-knit family, having his aunt and grandmother close by and many children to play with in their street. I guess this was typical Manchester life in the 60's until Margaret Thatcher's government forced many families out of their homes and into commission flats/buildings. Morrissey's family moved to a small ugly house on Kings Road in Manchester, the extended family were separated and his parents divorced. There is old footage of him visiting the spot where he grew up as a child, pointing out that it is virtually unrecognizable as in it's place are huge concrete buildings. He feels as though a part of his childhood was taken away from him, as though it never existed. It's possible that the line "please don't drop me home because I haven't got one, anymore" could refer to this feeling that his home no longer exists. Life at Kings Road was isolating and troubled due to his parents (in his words) arguing alot and his father leaving the home. He had a very close bond with his mother who was supportive and encouraging and even in times when he was too depressed to work she never put pressure on him. I think the line "because it's their home it's not my home and I'm not welcome no more" is his way, as a gifted writer/lyricist of drawing people in emotionally, most teens or most people have probably felt this way at some stage especially when a family is breaking apart. He has a song called "break up the family" which is interesting lyrically. Morrissey was not gay at this time, he was neither here nor there! He was unsure of his sexuality, insecure shy awkward etc etc but, he was not gay. It always pissed him off when journalists labeled him as gay, he hated labels and was at the time celibate. He later referred to himself as asexual. He was never kicked out of home for being gay. I'm not picking on you for your interpretation because I know that Morrissey would be happy if this was interpreted by someone who was gay and was feeling this way (not meaning to say you're gay ... I know you are quoting someone else) the point is, not to assume that every line is about Morrissey's personal experience. He also writes about human experience. He often wrote about stuff that he probaly longed to experience but was too shy and inept. Please don't fall into this trap of the younger generation's need to name and label any and every kind of sexual leaning, fetish and expression ... it actually goes against Morrissey's intention to blur the gender line in his lyrics, by making a statement about the meaning, attributing it to the protagonist being gay, it does not allow room for any other interpretation, therefore anyone else who doesn't fit into the "gay" box might not feel they can relate. Remember, Morrissey often leaves enough clues and enough information there so that every listener can relate. I implore fans or people who are curious to find interviews with Morrissey and read his words instead of those on Wikipedia. Morrissey is very forthcoming and open in interviews. People online are often just too lazy to do the research, it was different when I was younger because I bought the weekly music magazines/newspapers and read the interviews. Now it seems that the first thing that google delivers is all people go for. This is, albeit still a very good reaction and interpretation by someone who is new to The Smiths!
It wasn't Margaret Thatcher that "forced people out" - fake news. I was born in 1946 in collyhurst so I know. People were moved out to estates such as Wythenshawe and Darn Hill, Heywood in the 1970s when the slum clearance programme was instigated by the Labour gov. and Manchester Council. Thousands of terraced houses were knocked down and communities destroyed. It was an absolute crime. Those Labour politicians should have gone to prison.
The first time I heard The Smiths, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. I didn't really like it, so I listened to the song again, and it changed everything. The song was "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want". They are one of my favorites, and they are the only artist I've ever heard that NEVER published a bad song. Keep it going. Great reaction to all so far, not just because you like them, but because you seem to understand them as my friends and I always did.
The 1st 2 songs of theirs i heard were this song and Please Please Please Let me Get What I Want in 500 Days of Summer. Both were beautiful and there was something there. So i gave a long look at the Smiths on spotify and honestly didnt like it much until Asleep came on and it blew me away. Then the gems like I Knows its Over, The Joke isnt Funny Anymore, Well I Wonder and I was in. There arent many songs that captivate me more than slow Smith songs.
I watch a ton of reaction videos and have even watched many about this song, I feel like your breakdown is spot on and the best I've seen. great content!!
The “light” is his passion for love, to always want to love and be loved. It never goes out because he’s always in search of it as we are ourselves. Morrissey simplifies the most complex things :)
As a young closeted gay teen in a small town I listened to The Smiths constantly and found meaning in them that maybe wasn't there. The lyric in here "...and in a darkened underpass I thought 'Oh god my chance has come at last', but then a strange fear gripped me and I just couldn't ask". Spoke to me so strongly about the feeling of being in love with a male friend and the absolute pain of not being able express it. All you could do was feel the joy of being with them and never wanting to go home becuase home reminds you of oppression. I still feel this all these years and hearing this song always brings back these feelings.
personally I feel that this song is about how as the person is getting older, his parents want him to leave the nest and with each passing day he slowly feels scared of adulthood, and its his one last night to blow off with his best friend or crush or lover before taking a leaping into adulthood fully and not caring what they do as long as they have fun. "And if a double-decker bus Crashes into us To die by your side Is such a heavenly way to die" is him wanting to remain in the moment, where his worries and fears are gone and he's a lot more accept of death without actually killing himself but when the chance might actually happens "And in the darkened underpass I thought oh God, my chance has come at last (but then a strange fear gripped me and I Just couldn't ask)" was the moment when the fear came back to him. and "there is a light that goes out" I feel means the light of the memory of the night mixed with his youthful life will never leave him for the rest of his life.
I have always interpreted the line “there is a light and it never goes out” as referring to “the light at the end of the tunnel”, or possibly even referring to the light people claim to see when they have had a near death experience, as this song is heavily focused on death
Intelligent and considered, great review! I have always thought this song was about a troubled teenager trying to come to terms with their sexuality. I think probably coloured by the fact that this seemed to be a noticeable theme running through the zeitgeist at the time. But I think you’re right, the song is very gender neutral and certainly resonated with me as a shy young straight teen.
your totally right,theres a darkness to the smiths music that emos and goths would get.good review,envy you hearing these songs for the first time,would love to have that experience again.
I think you're right about your interpretation. I have loved The Smiths since 1991. A song title I like (not by the Smiths) "We Dischordians Must Stick Apart". Like the long after-song reaction/interpretation.
Yes, I think he must have opted to remove those words to allow the lyric a more open-ended meaning. Take one, with the complete line, is linked below. I always thought the key to the meaning was in the lyric referencing the darkened underpass - despite the safety within the darkness, he still couldn't ask (bare his soul, share his feelings, etc.) due to an unseen (metaphorical) light. ruclips.net/video/0r4XZGFPrxs/видео.html
YES, the young gay interpretation is what I have always taken. As a gay man listening to this song back in the day, I can really identify with the themes of "first gay crush" which meant that once you had "found" someone that you had finally identified with as being gay, you just wanted to revel in the moment. The first gay crush. The identification. I really loved it........it's like you've found your place, and maybe your (first) partner, and you just wanted to be with them as much as you could, and didn't care if you died together. So, first love (not asking your first gay love if they were also into you as well in the underpass). THIS is what I have always taken from this song. And there is a light that never goes out I took to be a reference to the "torch" you kept for your first love......xx
Diga mestre ! Pô cara, essa é uma das minhas bandas preferidas e essa é minha música de todos os tempos !!! Fiquei emocionado mesmo !!! Me inscrevi e vou indicar o canal ! Abraços !!!!🇧🇷
I've always taken the title to mean something difficult to paraphrase, but it's something like: there's always some tantalising hope, some possibility, even if you can never quite grasp it. It's the same as wanting to see people and life: life is *out there*, you can see it always going on, even if you feel like it somehow always eludes you, and it's hopeful and yet painful, but, if the two of us go out, even tonight, we can maybe share in it for a while.
I agree with the gay interpretation. I always felt that it was from the perspective of a kid who's been kicked out for being gay, although the ambiguity of the Smiths is why they're so great. Also, remember that Morrissey has a Jimmy Dean obsession and the line "It's not my home" is a famous one from Rebel Without A Cause.
Apart from the gay innotations, this is, in my opinion a song about shyness. You can detect a lot of it in ths band's catalogue. "Still ill" is another example. Great song, great reaction!
Would love to get your take on this Morrissey solo classic from his 25 year solo anniversary concert (post smiths): ruclips.net/video/NSId-dt_YzU/видео.html
It is not their best song. Every song is their best song. Like the beatles. They were dedicated to all elements of their craft. They were daydreaming and it became manifest
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Many consider this song and this album the peak of The Smiths. .
It truly is one of the greatest and real love songs ever written.
I am one of them people. Love to you.
Total respect for you for listening to the entire song without pausing to comment. I think you pretty much got the meaning of it, although as any piece of art it is subject to interpretation, I agree with you. Glad you listen to The Smiths, my favorite band
The great thing about The Smiths is that their lyrics rarely mention gender, so they are open to every personal interpretation. Most of them could work for defining both a straight and a gay relationship, and that's one of the reasons why their appeal was so wide. Personally I've always felt Morrisey's lyrics are mostly about unrequited gay love and not fitting in with either gay or straight archetypes (probably because that was my case), but in the end he was writing, with so much wit and flair, about loneliness, falling in love, longing, sadness, fleeting moments of happiness and the inevitable disappointment, and all those are very universal and relateable feelings. I agree with the reviewer's interpretation of a gay boy being thrown out of his house, that was always mine too, but in the end it's also about loneliness and not being able to find love, either because it is unrequited or because of shyness, like in this song. Even in his happier moments there are always shadows in Morrissey's lyrics.
Andy so under appreciated as the bassist.
Morrissey's family and extended family lived in the same street in Manchester in old Victoian houses, it was a close-knit family, having his aunt and grandmother close by and many children to play with in their street. I guess this was typical Manchester life in the 60's until Margaret Thatcher's government forced many families out of their homes and into commission flats/buildings. Morrissey's family moved to a small ugly house on Kings Road in Manchester, the extended family were separated and his parents divorced. There is old footage of him visiting the spot where he grew up as a child, pointing out that it is virtually unrecognizable as in it's place are huge concrete buildings. He feels as though a part of his childhood was taken away from him, as though it never existed. It's possible that the line "please don't drop me home because I haven't got one, anymore" could refer to this feeling that his home no longer exists. Life at Kings Road was isolating and troubled due to his parents (in his words) arguing alot and his father leaving the home. He had a very close bond with his mother who was supportive and encouraging and even in times when he was too depressed to work she never put pressure on him. I think the line "because it's their home it's not my home and I'm not welcome no more" is his way, as a gifted writer/lyricist of drawing people in emotionally, most teens or most people have probably felt this way at some stage especially when a family is breaking apart. He has a song called "break up the family" which is interesting lyrically. Morrissey was not gay at this time, he was neither here nor there! He was unsure of his sexuality, insecure shy awkward etc etc but, he was not gay. It always pissed him off when journalists labeled him as gay, he hated labels and was at the time celibate. He later referred to himself as asexual. He was never kicked out of home for being gay. I'm not picking on you for your interpretation because I know that Morrissey would be happy if this was interpreted by someone who was gay and was feeling this way (not meaning to say you're gay ... I know you are quoting someone else) the point is, not to assume that every line is about Morrissey's personal experience. He also writes about human experience. He often wrote about stuff that he probaly longed to experience but was too shy and inept. Please don't fall into this trap of the younger generation's need to name and label any and every kind of sexual leaning, fetish and expression ... it actually goes against Morrissey's intention to blur the gender line in his lyrics, by making a statement about the meaning, attributing it to the protagonist being gay, it does not allow room for any other interpretation, therefore anyone else who doesn't fit into the "gay" box might not feel they can relate. Remember, Morrissey often leaves enough clues and enough information there so that every listener can relate. I implore fans or people who are curious to find interviews with Morrissey and read his words instead of those on Wikipedia. Morrissey is very forthcoming and open in interviews. People online are often just too lazy to do the research, it was different when I was younger because I bought the weekly music magazines/newspapers and read the interviews. Now it seems that the first thing that google delivers is all people go for. This is, albeit still a very good reaction and interpretation by someone who is new to The Smiths!
Thank you so much for such an extensive reply and patient, and passionate explanation
It wasn't Margaret Thatcher that "forced people out" - fake news. I was born in 1946 in collyhurst so I know.
People were moved out to estates such as Wythenshawe and Darn Hill, Heywood in the 1970s when the slum clearance programme was instigated by the Labour gov. and Manchester Council. Thousands of terraced houses were knocked down and communities destroyed.
It was an absolute crime. Those Labour politicians should have gone to prison.
The first time I heard The Smiths, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. I didn't really like it, so I listened to the song again, and it changed everything. The song was "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want". They are one of my favorites, and they are the only artist I've ever heard that NEVER published a bad song. Keep it going. Great reaction to all so far, not just because you like them, but because you seem to understand them as my friends and I always did.
The 1st 2 songs of theirs i heard were this song and Please Please Please Let me Get What I Want in 500 Days of Summer. Both were beautiful and there was something there. So i gave a long look at the Smiths on spotify and honestly didnt like it much until Asleep came on and it blew me away. Then the gems like I Knows its Over, The Joke isnt Funny Anymore, Well I Wonder and I was in. There arent many songs that captivate me more than slow Smith songs.
They are truly magnificent! I love them more than my cat! Lol
Very well put and I agree!
I watch a ton of reaction videos and have even watched many about this song, I feel like your breakdown is spot on and the best I've seen. great content!!
The “light” is his passion for love, to always want to love and be loved. It never goes out because he’s always in search of it as we are ourselves. Morrissey simplifies the most complex things :)
As a young closeted gay teen in a small town I listened to The Smiths constantly and found meaning in them that maybe wasn't there. The lyric in here "...and in a darkened underpass I thought 'Oh god my chance has come at last', but then a strange fear gripped me and I just couldn't ask". Spoke to me so strongly about the feeling of being in love with a male friend and the absolute pain of not being able express it. All you could do was feel the joy of being with them and never wanting to go home becuase home reminds you of oppression. I still feel this all these years and hearing this song always brings back these feelings.
I felt like Morrissey was speaking directly to me with this song. It was everything about how I was feeling at the time.
Same. Sums up my high school years in a nutshell...and my teen years so far
The Smiths were the 80s for me. I look back with a smile but really I am mourning the loss of the 80s. A simpler time when music was real.
I saw Johnny Marr live and of course he finished the concert with this song. Everybody sang along at the end.
personally I feel that this song is about how as the person is getting older, his parents want him to leave the nest and with each passing day he slowly feels scared of adulthood, and its his one last night to blow off with his best friend or crush or lover before taking a leaping into adulthood fully and not caring what they do as long as they have fun. "And if a double-decker bus
Crashes into us To die by your side Is such a heavenly way to die" is him wanting to remain in the moment, where his worries and fears are gone and he's a lot more accept of death without actually killing himself but when the chance might actually happens "And in the darkened underpass
I thought oh God, my chance has come at last (but then a strange fear gripped me and I Just couldn't ask)" was the moment when the fear came back to him. and "there is a light that goes out" I feel means the light of the memory of the night mixed with his youthful life will never leave him for the rest of his life.
Excellent analysis! I couldn’t agree more
for a 5 year period! and in my opinion they were the best band on the planet! it is such a great album!
I have always interpreted the line “there is a light and it never goes out” as referring to “the light at the end of the tunnel”, or possibly even referring to the light people claim to see when they have had a near death experience, as this song is heavily focused on death
Intelligent and considered, great review! I have always thought this song was about a troubled teenager trying to come to terms with their sexuality. I think probably coloured by the fact that this seemed to be a noticeable theme running through the zeitgeist at the time. But I think you’re right, the song is very gender neutral and certainly resonated with me as a shy young straight teen.
"last night i dreamt that somebody loved me", sir
Try "Bigmouth Strikes again", one of their most liked songs too. A banger.
A truly magnificent anthem for the lost and lonely! Always brings me to tears. It is also very funny!
your totally right,theres a darkness to the smiths music that emos and goths would get.good review,envy you hearing these songs for the first time,would love to have that experience again.
can't remember if i recommended this one already but Cemetry Gates
Hi Kelly, uninteresting fact - I used to work at Southern Cemetery, encountered many fans paying homage at The 'Cemetry' gates. x
I think you're right about your interpretation. I have loved The Smiths since 1991. A song title I like (not by the Smiths) "We Dischordians Must Stick Apart". Like the long after-song reaction/interpretation.
Great review as always,give Please, please please let me get the one I want a review
God bless you man
great discussion of the lyrics, really good video!!
Thank you!
Originally the title line in the song was: There is a light in your eye and it never goes out.
Yes, I think he must have opted to remove those words to allow the lyric a more open-ended meaning. Take one, with the complete line, is linked below.
I always thought the key to the meaning was in the lyric referencing the darkened underpass - despite the safety within the darkness, he still couldn't ask (bare his soul, share his feelings, etc.) due to an unseen (metaphorical) light.
ruclips.net/video/0r4XZGFPrxs/видео.html
YES, the young gay interpretation is what I have always taken. As a gay man listening to this song back in the day, I can really identify with the themes of "first gay crush" which meant that once you had "found" someone that you had finally identified with as being gay, you just wanted to revel in the moment. The first gay crush. The identification. I really loved it........it's like you've found your place, and maybe your (first) partner, and you just wanted to be with them as much as you could, and didn't care if you died together. So, first love (not asking your first gay love if they were also into you as well in the underpass). THIS is what I have always taken from this song. And there is a light that never goes out I took to be a reference to the "torch" you kept for your first love......xx
Diga mestre ! Pô cara, essa é uma das minhas bandas preferidas e essa é minha música de todos os tempos !!! Fiquei emocionado mesmo !!! Me inscrevi e vou indicar o canal ! Abraços !!!!🇧🇷
You should do I want the one that i cant have and Still Ill 👍🏻 great reaction :)
I've always taken the title to mean something difficult to paraphrase, but it's something like: there's always some tantalising hope, some possibility, even if you can never quite grasp it. It's the same as wanting to see people and life: life is *out there*, you can see it always going on, even if you feel like it somehow always eludes you, and it's hopeful and yet painful, but, if the two of us go out, even tonight, we can maybe share in it for a while.
I agree with the gay interpretation. I always felt that it was from the perspective of a kid who's been kicked out for being gay, although the ambiguity of the Smiths is why they're so great. Also, remember that Morrissey has a Jimmy Dean obsession and the line "It's not my home" is a famous one from Rebel Without A Cause.
Angst. And maybe, just maybe hope- because the light never goes out.
Can you please react to half a person by the smiths
Some girls are bigger than others is incredible
As Anthony said to Cleopatra! Lol
Awesome stuff man! You should react to Built to Spill- carry the zero and neutral milk hotel- Holland 1945
Girl Afraid
Apart from the gay innotations, this is, in my opinion a song about shyness. You can detect a lot of it in ths band's catalogue. "Still ill" is another example. Great song, great reaction!
This Morrissey fellow sounds like he might have some issues with depression
Maybe just a little lol
How Soon Is Now is the theme from the TV show Charmed fyi
>”emo came from The Smiths”
They don’t call Morrissey the “Pope of Mope” for no reason. lol
Would love to get your take on this Morrissey solo classic from his 25 year solo anniversary concert (post smiths):
ruclips.net/video/NSId-dt_YzU/видео.html
Damn... I didn't come here to be called out like that lol
#400!
Dude! How the fuck did you get into this!! S9rr out hitting your mic accidentally though
It could also be the oil or check engine light that never goes out
Can you react to handsome devil please
It is not their best song.
Every song is their best song.
Like the beatles.
They were dedicated to all elements of their craft.
They were daydreaming and it became manifest
Sadly it was used in mommas boy as well, great song, terrible movie.
You so don’t get it at all