In 2000, Q magazine placed "Hatful of Hollow" at number 44 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever.
William It Was Really Nothing
The Smiths Lyrics
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This town has dragged you down
Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This town has dragged you down
Oh, no, and everybody's got to live their life
And God knows I've got to live mine
God knows I've got to live mine
William, William it was really nothing
William, William it was really nothing
It was your life
How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say
"Oh, would you like to marry me?
And if you like you can buy the ring"
She doesn't care about anything
Would you like to marry me?
And if you like you can buy the ring
I don't dream about anyone except myself
Oh, William, William it was really nothing
William, William
The Smiths's song "William It Was Really Nothing" is a commentary on the monotony and drudgery of life in mundane towns. The opening lines paint a picture of a town where it rains heavily and nothing exciting ever happens. The repetition of the line "This town has dragged you down" implies a sense of resignation and defeat among the inhabitants of the town. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "William, it was really nothing," seems to suggest that the singer of the song has found a way to break free from the dreariness of his life, possibly through introspection or personal growth. The line "It was your life" reinforces this idea, as it suggests that the decisions we make and the paths we take are entirely our own responsibility.
The second verse tells the story of a fat girl who proposes to the singer, saying "you can buy the ring" without any consideration for the emotional or financial implications of such a commitment. The singer, however, is not interested, as he is more concerned with his own life and dreams. The final line of the song, "Oh, William, William it was really nothing," may be interpreted as a self-affirmation or a statement of defiance against those who try to hold us back or impose their expectations on us.
"William It Was Really Nothing" was released in 1984 as a single and was later included on The Smiths's compilation album "Hatful of Hollow." The song was written by Morrissey (lyrics) and Johnny Marr (music), with Marr providing the distinctive guitar riff that opens the song. The song has been interpreted in various ways over the years, with some seeing it as a celebration of individuality and personal autonomy, while others interpret it as a critique of social norms and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
The rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This is a mediocre town which restricts people and their potential
This town has dragged you down
The town has brought you down to its level
Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town
The town's dullness is made worse by the constant rain, i.e it's a miserable place
This town has dragged you down
The town has sucked your energy by creating a mundane life for you, i.e you've been worn down
Oh, no, and everybody's got to live their life
Everyone has their own struggles and challenges
And God knows I've got to live mine
I have my personal struggles which I have to deal with
God knows I've got to live mine
I acknowledge that I must face my challenges and fight for what I truly want
William, William it was really nothing
This line refers to a meaningless past experience that William had, either with the persona or with someone/something else in his life.
William, William it was really nothing
The persona is saying that this experience has no effect on their present.
It was your life
The experience is owned by William, and is inconsequential to the persona.
How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say
This question is asked to create an argument in the midst of the song's meaning.
"Oh, would you like to marry me?
The girl asks the persona if they'd like to get married.
And if you like you can buy the ring"
She offers the proposal to the persona despite her unattractive appearance.
She doesn't care about anything
This girl is apathetic and has no significant aspirations or interests.
Would you like to marry me?
The girl wants to be proposed to, regardless of the persona's thoughts on the matter.
And if you like you can buy the ring
She asks for an engagement ring from the persona.
I don't dream about anyone except myself
The persona is not dreaming about another person, and is only thinking about themselves.
Oh, William, William it was really nothing
This line is repeated in the song, reinforcing the concept of something meaningless in William's past.
William, William
This line calls out to William, whose experienced the persona is talking about.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind