S.Y.M.M.
Manic Street Preachers Lyrics

The Manic Street Preachers’ song S.Y.M.M. is a poignant commentary on the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster, which occurred on 15 April 1989 during the FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. The subtext of the song refers to the band’s reluctance to bring up the subject matter because of how unpopular it was for people to talk about the tragedy at the time. The lyrics demonstrate how the band has given a lot of thought to the incident and its impact on the survivors, victims’ families, and the community at large.

The context of the song speaks to how it is still unfashionable for people to have principles and stand up for what is right, especially in situations where justice is needed. The South Yorkshire police were accused of covering up their role in the disaster, and the song highlights the band’s disgust at the fact that the same police who were responsible for the tragedy were still being protected by the system. The repetition of the line “South South Yorkshire, mass murderer / How can you sleep at night, sleep at night?” juxtaposes the idea of keeping quiet and sleeping soundly without a conscience, while the Hillsborough victims and survivors are still seeking justice.

The reason for the song is simply to acknowledge that the tragedy still lives on in the hearts and minds of those affected. The band credits Jimmy McGovern, a prominent screenwriter who wrote the 1996 TV drama Hillsborough, for reminding them of the incident and how its impact is still being felt today. The song’s ending implies that there is no remedy or resolution for the tragedy, and the pain will always remain with those who experienced it.