Dagenham Dave
Morrissey Lyrics


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Head in the clouds, and a mouthful of pie
Head in a blouse, everybody loves him
I see why

Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dagenham Dave

"I love Karen, I love Sharon" on the window screen
With never the need to fight or to question a single thing

Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave

He'd love to touch, he's afraid that he might self-combust
I could say more, but you get the general idea

Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham, Dagenham
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dave, oh, Dagenham, dagenham
Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave




Oh, Dave, oh, Dave, oh, Dave
Oh, Dave

Overall Meaning

Morrissey's song "Dagenham Dave" is a simple ode to the titular character and his popularity among people. The first verse talks about Dave's carefree nature, as depicted in his head-in-the-clouds attitude and mouthful of pie. The next line emphasizes how everybody loves him, with the singer stating that he can see why. This is indicative of Dave's likable, if somewhat oblivious, persona.


The chorus repeats Dave's name, emphasizing his importance and celebrity status, as if he's a folk hero. The second verse talks about how Dave has proclaimed his love for two women, Karen and Sharon, on his car's window screen. The line following this mentions that he never fights or questions anything, which again emphasizes his non-confrontational persona.


The final verse talks about Dave's desire to touch, but he's afraid he might "self-combust". This could indicate a fear of his own passions or an aversion to intimacy. The song ends with a repetition of Dave's name, as if it's a chant that everybody is a part of.


Line by Line Meaning

Head in the clouds, and a mouthful of pie
Dave is oblivious and carefree, with no worries in the world


Head in a blouse, everybody loves him
Dave has a charming personality that endears him to everyone


I see why
The singer understands why everyone loves Dave


"I love Karen, I love Sharon" on the window screen
Dave expresses his love for two women by writing their names on his car window


With never the need to fight or to question a single thing
Dave is content with his life and doesn't feel the need to challenge anything


He'd love to touch, he's afraid that he might self-combust
Dave desires physical intimacy, but is scared of the intensity of his own emotions


I could say more, but you get the general idea
The singer could elaborate on Dave's character, but the listener likely has a good understanding already


Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Repetitive chorus featuring Dave's name


Oh, Dagenham Dave
Emphasis on Dave's name


Dagenham, Dagenham
Further emphasis on Dave's hometown


Oh, Dave, oh, Dagenham, dagenham
Combination of Dave's name and hometown in the chorus


Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Final repetition of the chorus featuring Dave's name


Oh, Dave, oh, Dave, oh, Dave
Final emphasis on Dave's name




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Brandon D Morrissey

Head in the clouds, and a mouthful of pie
Head in a blouse, everybody loves him
I see why
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dagenham Dave
"I love Karen, I love Sharon" on the window screen
With never the need to fight or to question a single thing
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave
He'd love to touch, he's afraid that he might self-combust
I could say more, but you get the general idea
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham, Dagenham
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham, Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dave, oh, Dagenham, dagenham
Dagenham Dave
Dagenham Dave, Dagenham Dave
Oh, Dave, oh, Dave, oh, Dave
Oh, Dave



Don Mackay76

Reminds me of working on construction in Harlow Essex. Loads of these characters.
Good blood.
Was a Spurs fan.
And I helped the Football fans when England played Ireland in a friendly around Valentines day.
The lager louts had a good crack that time.
Too many pints of Guinness I say.
Was always loyal to the Crown so I helped them out, get home, some of our boys got their skulls a wee bit cracked by Irish police.
That's Orwight.
We can handle it.
I just don't like White Working Class in England being wiped out by diggers.
Look,
Some of them are good
But they are not your friends.
🇬🇧



Ernie McCracken

It's about how the "Dave" of the song has an easy life, is successful with women, and doesn't need to "fight or to question a single thing".

This contrasts with Morrissey's usual themes of sexual frustration, loneliness and seeing a world full of injustice and terrible things.

So it's sort of remarking upon how easy others seem to have it, even if they're too dumb to realise it.

This music video shows that, in the end, Dave's girlfriend ends up leaving him for another man. Dave didn't know what he had until it was gone. This part of the story isn't in the lyrics, but it would have either have been Morrissey's idea or possibly the director's, but with Morrissey's blessing.

I see it as a successor song to "The Ordinary Boys" which appears on Morrissey's debut album Viva Hate. The lyrics deal with similar themes.

"The Boy Racer", a song which was released around the same time as "Dagenham Dave" is also along the same lines.



All comments from YouTube:

Tony Powell

Still one of the greatest songs ever!!

Gustavo Ramires

Meu álbum preferido do Morrissey

Frankincensed

Morrissey gives me hope for humankind.

Thom

@oh it be Always

Alfie

Yep. Stil.

oh it be

Lol how about now?

Kevin Chamberlain

Morrisey looks iconic cool in this classic video.

FXKinsella

He'll spoil your pool game and look back at you as he walks out the door. Badass

Lurgs How To Guides

Morrissey and Gripper Stebson, absolute classic

Unfunny Username #389

Fantastic.

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