Oh!What I wouldn't give to feel your presence here!...
There's my Smiths tapes you never wanted to hear,
Throw them away,Morrisey in a bin,
If It would bring you back again.

There's my perfumed garden that scares you to death
Live it burried at the end of the bed
I'd compromise if it meant having some of your time.

You mean love does not last forever
But we doubt it all the time
When you're in love you've got to believe it's for the rest of your life.
I've got a pain inside,
It cuts like a knife,cuts like a knife

Oh!What I wouldn't give to feel your presence here!...

Oh! I wouldn't bring your dinner at eight
For a domestic life this the wrong place.
But I would touch so sweet,if you dare.
Feel the power of the earth and the air.

Oh! What I wouldn't give to feel your presence here!...

Overall Meaning

The song "What I Wouldn't Give" by Pink Industry is a yearning lament for a lost lover. The first verse starts with the singer expressing how much they miss their former partner and how they wish they could have them back in their life. The mention of the Smiths tapes represents something the singer loves and wants to share with their partner but never got the chance to. The play on words with Morrissey's name rhymes with the word "bin" implying the singer would be willing to throw away things that they previously held dear if it meant their partner would return.

The second verse opens with a reference to the singer's "perfumed garden" that scares their partner. This garden is symbolic of something that is beautiful but ultimately unapproachable like the singer's love for their partner. The singer says they would be willing to compromise and change some things about themselves to get back together with their partner. The lines "You mean love does not last forever/But we doubt it all the time" have a bittersweet tone as the singer knows that relationships don't always last, but they still cling to the hope that their love can last.

The chorus repeats the opening verse, emphasizing the singer's longing for their partner. The bridge speaks to the pain that the singer is feeling, with the simile "It cuts like a knife." The last verse implies that the singer is not interested in a traditional domestic life but wants something more passionate and intense with their partner. The final line is a plea for their partner to return, showing how much they want them back in their life.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh!What I wouldn't give to feel your presence here!...
Expressing a desire to have the person back, to be with them again

There's my Smiths tapes you never wanted to hear,
Referring to a particular interest that they shared but the partner never liked

Throw them away,Morrisey in a bin,
Discarding something that reminds them of their shared interest, as it is now a painful reminder

If It would bring you back again.
Wishing for the person to come back so much that they are willing to make changes

There's my perfumed garden that scares you to death
Referring to something that they enjoy but that frightens the partner

Live it burried at the end of the bed
Compromising something they enjoy, if it means the partner would stay with them

I'd compromise if it meant having some of your time.
Willingness to compromise to gain back their partner's time and attention

You mean love does not last forever
Acknowledging that love may not be forever, but still hoping it can be

But we doubt it all the time
Expressing doubt despite continuing to want to believe in the possibility of lasting love

When you're in love you've got to believe it's for the rest of your life.
Believing that being in love means being committed for life

I've got a pain inside,
Referring to the emotional pain caused by the separation from their partner

It cuts like a knife,cuts like a knife
A metaphor for the severity of the emotional pain

Oh! I wouldn't bring your dinner at eight
Not wanting a traditional domestic life, but still wanting to spend time with their partner

For a domestic life this the wrong place.
Not wanting to be part of a traditional domestic life

But I would touch so sweet,if you dare.
Desire to be intimate with their partner, if allowed to

Feel the power of the earth and the air.
Suggesting the physical intimacy will be powerful and worthwhile

Oh! What I wouldn't give to feel your presence here!...
Reiterating the strong desire to have their partner return

Contributed by Jack H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Maximilian Huxley

7y↑40

Oh, what I wouldn't give to feel your presence here
There's my Smiths tapes you never wanted to hear
Throw them away, Morrissey in a bin
If It would bring you back again

There's my perfumed garden that scares you to death
Live it burried at the end of the bed
I'd compromise if it meant having some of your time

You mean love does not last forever
But we doubt it all the time
When you're in love you've got to believe it's for the rest of your life
I've got a pain inside
It cuts like a knife,cuts like a knife

Oh, what I wouldn't give to feel your presence here

Oh, I wouldn't bring your dinner at eight
For a domestic life this the wrong place
But I would touch so sweet,if you dare
Feel the power of the earth and the air

Oh, what I wouldn't give to feel your presence here