More about: The Smiths

The Smiths were, and very much still are, a band renowned for being quite miserable. Lyrics such as “So you go and you stand on your own / And you leave on your own / And you go home / And you cry and you want to die” as well as the entirety of ‘Girlfriend in a Coma’ support this thesis, making it seem as though Morrissey’s never had a good word to say about anything… or has he?

We set ourselves the task of finding a few of their most uplifting lyrics – and yes. There are plenty. 

'I Know It’s Over'  

“It’s so easy to laugh / It’s so easy to hate / It takes strength to be gentle and kind”

Proof that not everything Morrissey says is nonsense – this is something that will always be relevant regardless of how it’s said or sung. It takes strength and maturity to be ‘gentle and kind’ to everyone you meet, regardless of who they are or how you feel about them.

'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' 

“Take me out tonight / Because I want to see people and I want to see life”

A line that the vast majority of us can probably relate to at the moment after not being able to go out freely for over a year. One that creates a picture of people enjoying the hustle and bustle that is life, before boasting a chorus about death by double decker bus.

'Vicar in A Tutu'

“He’s not strange / He just wants to live his life this way”

This whole song conveys a very important message about leaving people be to live their life how they want. One that most probably came from the heart of a man who’s always been coy when talking about sexuality, and one that’s beneficial to anyone listening that can relate.

'The Queen Is Dead' 

“We can go for a walk where it’s quiet and dry / And talk about precious things”

A very wholesome lyric which encourages thoughts about walking through a park on a summer’s day with a loved one, talking about ‘precious’ things like dogs and babies, or more materialistic things if you’re that way inclined. A slightly different vision to the usual from The Smiths.

'Still Ill' 

“For there are brighter sides to life / And I should know because I’ve seen them”

This is borderline as it’s followed with ‘But not very often’, however the song is still very much full of their signature jangly sounds and allows you to swan around any room forgetting that what you’re singing along to isn’t as happy as it sounds.

'Rubber Ring'

“Don’t forget the songs / That made you smile / And the songs that made you cry / When you lay in awe / On the bedroom floor”

When you think about it, there has to be certain songs that come to mind of when you were at your happiest and also your lowest; as well as the ones that just utterly blow your mind the first time you hear them. Cheers for the reminder, Moz.

'Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want' 

“Good times for a change”

Again, this one’s on the borderline – ‘for a change’ followed by “See, the luck I’ve had / Can make a good man turn bad” explain that whatever has happened has obviously been pretty shit up until this moment, but we’re reaching for anything even slightly positive we can find here, alright?

'I Won’t Share You' 

“This is my time / Life tends to come and go / Well that’s ok / Just as long as you know”

This part of the tune seems more conversational and makes the listener put themselves into it; it’s easy to let life slip you by and can be hard to come to terms with the fact that yes, you will have bad days, but that’s ok, just as long as you know.

'Hand In Glove' 

“The good life is out there somewhere / So stay on my arm, you little charmer”

Even though it’s not very convincing that anyone would want to stay on Morrissey’s arm, whether he called them a ‘little charmer’ or not, the cuteness and optimism in these lyrics make for a nice change. A reminder that sometimes you have to go looking for the good life and can’t expect it to land in your lap.

More about: The Smiths