A thorn in the side is a term normally used for someone with relationship troubles, which is just what this song is about.
This song is an expression of Morrissey's frustration with the press and music industry. Ever since The Smiths appeared on the scene Morrissey has been labeled as someone who can only the negative aspects to life. However, the only reason that he sings about these topics is because he cares so much - "Behind the hatred there lies a plundering desire for love". In the song there is profuse frustration that the world simply is not listening to him and is not understanding the message he is trying to bring to the world. This frustration is easily understood when you cast your mind back to all the trouble that he has gone through over the years with the press misinterpreting his lyrics.
For those reading this that are clued up on Morrissey's past troubles you may recall the controversies surrounding the track off the Your Arsenal album, National Front Disco. There were two main criticisms made of this song. The first was that Morrissey was labeled as a racist, when the song is a warning about England losing its heritage (hmmm, maybe a future blog topic). The second, which leads us onto the other meaning of this song, was that Morrissey had no shame and would use anything to try and get publicity. This obviously upsets him as "how can they see the love in your eyes and still they don't believe me". How can they see all the effort and passion, hard work and determination that he puts into his live shows and campaigns and then simply dismiss it as an attempt to sell albums?
The song moves from the first to the third person. This could imply Morrissey's realisation that he is not alone with these problems and there are other artists out there, who should unite together to try and fight their cause.
This song could also be a warning about ignoring his words and leading ourselves into an unpleasant future. A future which Morrissey himself does not know what it will contain and seems unnerved about its prospects.
Friday, 28 March 2008
Sunday, 9 March 2008
Handsome Devil
Many people view this song to be depicting a story of a rape, and this seems plausible. With lines such as "Let me get my hands on your mammary glands" and "I crack the whip and you skip" it is easy to see why someone would think this to be about rape. However, the idea of rape does not fit in with the motion of wanted to get them in the conjugal bed, nor all the ends bits about there being more to life than schooling etc.
I personally feel that this song is not quite a dark and sinister as that. I have a feeling that, the first part at least, represents what most men wish they could achieve on a regular basis. Where a woman asks you the time, yet you manage to charm them round to sleeping with you.
It is true that when an attractive female approaches them, even for a simple question like asking the time, will have in his head all the things that he wishes to perform with her behind closed doors. So most this song is a literal account of what is happening in the story, but what the man is thinking in his head.
In essence, all that has happened is a woman has asked a man for the time, yet in the bloke's head he has made a little fantasy world where he has this girlfriend that will abide by his every word and stay local to him. So in this world he likes to think of himself as quite a "handsome devil". Something that most males, and females, thoughts are focused on, even those who already have partners.
I also quite like the line
"There’s more to life than books you know"
Being a university student, many of my close friends are very pent up on the idea of they have to get a good degree and get high paying job in order to live a good life. Yet, does that really make someone happy? Does spending all your time working to the point where you are constantly stressed out really the best way to live your life? In my opinion, no. Therefore, it is nice to remind myself that there is more to this life than the constant routine of passing exams. So when you are sitting in your "scholarly room" "who will swallow whom". Will you let the stress of the world of higher education bring you down and drain you of all motivation to go out and learn for the love of it, as you started out, or will you rise above the system and not let it bring you down?
However, at the end of the time Morrissey does tag on the end "but not much more.” I feel that what he is trying to point out there is that you can learn a lot from wide reading. Therefore, no matter how you wish to spend your time, reading a good book can normally be one of the best course of action.
Album: Hatful of Hollow (1984)
I personally feel that this song is not quite a dark and sinister as that. I have a feeling that, the first part at least, represents what most men wish they could achieve on a regular basis. Where a woman asks you the time, yet you manage to charm them round to sleeping with you.
It is true that when an attractive female approaches them, even for a simple question like asking the time, will have in his head all the things that he wishes to perform with her behind closed doors. So most this song is a literal account of what is happening in the story, but what the man is thinking in his head.
In essence, all that has happened is a woman has asked a man for the time, yet in the bloke's head he has made a little fantasy world where he has this girlfriend that will abide by his every word and stay local to him. So in this world he likes to think of himself as quite a "handsome devil". Something that most males, and females, thoughts are focused on, even those who already have partners.
I also quite like the line
"There’s more to life than books you know"
Being a university student, many of my close friends are very pent up on the idea of they have to get a good degree and get high paying job in order to live a good life. Yet, does that really make someone happy? Does spending all your time working to the point where you are constantly stressed out really the best way to live your life? In my opinion, no. Therefore, it is nice to remind myself that there is more to this life than the constant routine of passing exams. So when you are sitting in your "scholarly room" "who will swallow whom". Will you let the stress of the world of higher education bring you down and drain you of all motivation to go out and learn for the love of it, as you started out, or will you rise above the system and not let it bring you down?
However, at the end of the time Morrissey does tag on the end "but not much more.” I feel that what he is trying to point out there is that you can learn a lot from wide reading. Therefore, no matter how you wish to spend your time, reading a good book can normally be one of the best course of action.
Album: Hatful of Hollow (1984)
Sweet and Tender Hooligan
This song raises many interesting questions. The most potent being - just how many times can you forgive someone? Here we have a tale of someone who is repeatedly re-offending, yet the judicial system is always giving him a second chance.
As many of us agree, it is generally right to give someone a second chance, even if they have wronged you. Yet at which point do you call it a day and say enough is enough?
Those of us of a religious nature are told that we should always forgive. However, after each time it does become harder and harder to do so. Sometimes it is always too easy to give up on someone who seems totally inept at going the right thing. For instance, take your everyday GP sitting in his office. Each day he must have numerous patients that have time and time again come to him for help with aliments that have been brought on by themselves and the life they choose to lead. It could be the smoker with lung problems or the fat man with diabetes. Both of whom could easily solve their problems with simple changes in their attitudes or life style, yet does not have either the will power or the desire to do this, yet still want the help off the doctor. Now, as you can imagine, the doctor would become a little despondent and feel like giving up on these individuals, as they are nothing more than time wasters. However, these are the people that need our most help.
The people that when told they need to change, and stop doing the things they have been doing are the easiest to help. As all that needs doing is some to point out the error of their ways. Those that are suborn are the ones that need the most help - yet we are most likely to turn those away, as it requires a tremendous mosts will power, patience and determination to help them - virtues that most of us do not possess.
So maybe we should not give up on our sweet and tender hooligan, he just needs at lot of time and dedication to him, so one day he can break away from his cycle of crime.
Of course, on a more superficial level, this song highlights the failings of the current judicial system, letting criminals getting away with murder, which is even more relevant now than it was back in 1987, with the news of full prisons and rapists and murders being set free well before the end of their sentences.
Album: Louder Than Bombs (1987)
As many of us agree, it is generally right to give someone a second chance, even if they have wronged you. Yet at which point do you call it a day and say enough is enough?
Those of us of a religious nature are told that we should always forgive. However, after each time it does become harder and harder to do so. Sometimes it is always too easy to give up on someone who seems totally inept at going the right thing. For instance, take your everyday GP sitting in his office. Each day he must have numerous patients that have time and time again come to him for help with aliments that have been brought on by themselves and the life they choose to lead. It could be the smoker with lung problems or the fat man with diabetes. Both of whom could easily solve their problems with simple changes in their attitudes or life style, yet does not have either the will power or the desire to do this, yet still want the help off the doctor. Now, as you can imagine, the doctor would become a little despondent and feel like giving up on these individuals, as they are nothing more than time wasters. However, these are the people that need our most help.
The people that when told they need to change, and stop doing the things they have been doing are the easiest to help. As all that needs doing is some to point out the error of their ways. Those that are suborn are the ones that need the most help - yet we are most likely to turn those away, as it requires a tremendous mosts will power, patience and determination to help them - virtues that most of us do not possess.
So maybe we should not give up on our sweet and tender hooligan, he just needs at lot of time and dedication to him, so one day he can break away from his cycle of crime.
Of course, on a more superficial level, this song highlights the failings of the current judicial system, letting criminals getting away with murder, which is even more relevant now than it was back in 1987, with the news of full prisons and rapists and murders being set free well before the end of their sentences.
Album: Louder Than Bombs (1987)
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