Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Best Friend On The Payroll
Morrissey Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I turn the music down; and I don't know why, this is my house
I turn the music down; and I don't know why, this is my house
The best friend on the payroll
No, no, no, it's not gonna work out
It's not gonna work out
No, no, no, no
The best friend on the payroll
Oh, no, no, no, it's not gonna work out
It's not gonna work out

More breakfast in bed, and I'll bring the paper in later
The best friend on the payroll
Oh, no, no, no, it's not gonna work out
It's not gonna work out
No, no, no, no
The best friend on the payroll
Oh, no, no, no, it's not gonna work out
It's not gonna work out

More breakfast in bed, and I'll bring the paper in later
The best friend on the payroll
No, no, no, it's not gonna work out
It's not gonna work out
No, no, no, no
The best friend on the payroll
No, no, no, no, it's not gonna work out
It's not gonna work out

Overall Meaning

In "Best Friend On The Payroll," Morrissey sings about a situation in which he feels unable to fully express himself within his own home. He repeatedly turns down the music and questions why he feels the need to do so, considering it is his own house. The central theme of the song revolves around the idea of Morrissey's best friend being on his payroll, which creates a power dynamic between them that ultimately leads to a sense of discomfort for Morrissey. This is evident in the repeated refrain, "The best friend on the payroll / No, no, no, it's not gonna work out / It's not gonna work out."


The lyrics of the song suggest that Morrissey feels constricted and uncomfortable in his own home due to the presence of his best friend on his payroll. The fact that his friend is on his payroll creates a power dynamic between them that makes Morrissey feel as though he must constantly be in his friend's good graces. This is evidenced by the lines, "More breakfast in bed, and I'll bring the paper in later," which suggest a desire to keep the friendship on good terms. Ultimately, however, Morrissey acknowledges that the situation is not sustainable, and that the power dynamic between them is creating a sense of discomfort that is not going to be resolved anytime soon.


Line by Line Meaning

I turn the music down; and I don't know why, this is my house
I am in my own house but for some reason, I am turning down the music, even though I have no reason to do so.


The best friend on the payroll
My friend works for me and is on my payroll, meaning I pay them.


No, no, no, it's not gonna work out
I don't think this arrangement of having my friend on my payroll is going to work out.


It's not gonna work out
I am certain that this arrangement is not going to work out in the end.


More breakfast in bed, and I'll bring the paper in later
I want to be pampered more, like being served breakfast in bed, and I'll also ask my friend to bring me the newspaper later.


No, no, no, no
I am very sure that the situation with my friend on the payroll is not going to end well.


Oh, no, no, no, it's not gonna work out
I am becoming even more certain and determined that having my friend on my payroll is not going to work out.


It's not gonna work out
I am restating that the situation with my friend on the payroll is not going to work out, and it is final.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MORRISSEY, WHYTE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

More Versions