Produced by Mick Ronson
Recorde… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Morrissey & Boz Boorer
Produced by Mick Ronson
Recorded 1992
Released December 1992 as a B-side on the Certain People I Know single.
Personnel Morrissey (voice), Alain Whyte & Boz Boorer (guitars), Gary Day (bass) & Spencer Cobrin (drums)
Jack The Ripper
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mouth slack and wide
Ill-housed and ill-advised
Your face is as mean
As your life has been
Crash into my arms
I want you
But you don't refuse
I know you
And I know a place
Where no one is likely to pass
Oh, you don't care if it's late
And you don't care if you're lost
And oh, you look so tired
(But tonight you presume too much)
Too much, too much
And if it's the last
Thing I ever do
I'm gonna get you
Crash into my arms
I want you
You don't agree
But you don't refuse
I know you
Crash into my arms
I want you
You don't agree
But you don't refuse
I know you
Oh...
Thank you.
In Morrissey's song "Jack The Ripper", the singer describes an encounter with someone who appears to be tired, haggard, and downtrodden. The lyrics paint a picture of this person's life, which seems to be one of poverty, hardship, and adversity. The singer offers comfort and companionship to this individual, encouraging them to "crash into his arms" and seeking to provide solace in a world that has been unkind to them.
The song's lyrics are often interpreted as a commentary on societal neglect and class inequality, with Morrissey drawing attention to the plight of the disadvantaged and marginalized. In many ways, the song is a call to action, urging listeners to recognize the suffering of those around them and to work to alleviate it. The chorus, with its repeated entreaty to "crash into my arms", takes on a powerful significance in this context, suggesting that empathy and compassion are essential tools in the struggle for social justice and equality.
Overall, "Jack The Ripper" is a poignant and emotionally charged song that speaks to the human need for connection, comfort, and support. Through its vivid imagery and plaintive melody, it captures the struggles of those who have been left behind by society, and offers a powerful message of hope and solidarity.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, you look so tired
The subject of the song is addressing somebody, who appears to be exhausted
Mouth slack and wide
The person's mouth is open, indicating weariness or a lack of energy
Ill-housed and ill-advised
The individual seems to be poorly housed and making questionable decisions
Your face is as mean
The person's face looks unkind, perhaps reflecting a difficult life
As your life has been
The harsh appearance of the person's face reflects the difficulties they have faced in their life
Crash into my arms
The subject of the song is inviting the exhausted person to come closer and be comforted
I want you
The singer desires to help the other person and/or have them in his life
You don't agree
The other person is unsure or resistant to the invitation
But you don't refuse
Despite their uncertainty, the other person doesn't turn down the offer to come closer
I know you
The singer either understands the other person's situation or believes he can help them
And I know a place
The singer knows of a location where the other person can feel safe and away from harm
Where no one is likely to pass
The place that the singer knows is remote, secluded, and unlikely to be visited by others
Oh, you don't care if it's late
Despite the time of day or night, the other person is not concerned with arriving at the destination at a decent hour
And you don't care if you're lost
The other person is not concerned with being lost or disoriented on the way to the destination
And oh, you look so tired
The exhaustion of the other person is further emphasized
(But tonight you presume too much)
The singer is cautioning the other person against overconfidence or taking unnecessary risks
Too much, too much
The other person's behavior is deemed excessive and potentially dangerous
And if it's the last
The singer is determined to help the other person no matter what the cost
Thing I ever do
The singer sees this as a crucial opportunity to make a positive difference in the other person's life
I'm gonna get you
The singer is committed to helping the other person, no matter the obstacles
Oh...
The song ends with a note of ambiguity, perhaps leaving the listener questioning the ultimate fate of the exhausted, ill-treated individual.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, MARTIN JAMES BOORER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@allezje
Oh, you look so tired
Mouth slack and wide
Ill-housed and ill-advised
Your face is as mean
As your life has been
Crash into my arms
I want you
You don't agree
But you don't refuse
I know you
And I know a place
Where no one is likely to pass
Oh, you don't care if it's late
And you don't care if you're lost
And oh, you look so tired
(But tonight you presume too much)
Too much, too much
And if it's the last
Thing I ever do
I'm gonna get you
Crash into my arms
I want you
You don't agree
But you don't refuse
I know you
Crash into my arms
I want you
You don't agree
But you don't refuse
I know you
@marieblue
Jack The Ripper was an infamous British serial killer who murdered and butchered five women between 1888 and 1891. He was never caught, and his identity always remained an enigma.
Morrissey co-authored “Jack The Ripper” (1992) with Boz Boorer. The song seems to be some kind of dialogue between the slaughterer and one of his victims. :
“Oh, you look so tired
Mouth slack and wide
Ill-housed and ill-advised
Your face is as mean as your life has been
…
And oh, you look so tired
But tonight you’ve presumed too much
Too much, too much
And if it’s the last thing I ever do I’m gonna get you”
The English singer-songwriter never recorded this, but he did play it in concert and included live cuts (no pun intended) on compilation LPs. 💙🏴💙
@ronnieverhagi5607
a descent into darkness and depravity in such a beautiful way.
@hazelrah321
Well said!
@tricknelius
How bout “ death of a disco dancer?”
@tokyochuchu
One of my all time favorite songs. Romantic and murderous at the same time.
@elizabethbennet4791
yeah the romantic fantasy in the mind of a killer, is easily forgiven when put to a beautiful melody and the deep passion, need and humanity brought out of it. From the dark spaces into the open
@markjohnson1853
You hit the nail on the head.
@wjayson6
Hit both nails on their heads and kissed them goodnight. Similarly to what Mark Johnson said.
@shadowplay5363
I will never ever get tired of this. I prefer it to the studio version. It's more raw, dramatic and the guitars are wonderful (that solo at 3.08 always gets me), and I really enjoy the wonderful ambiguity of the lyrics. It's almost like he is talking about one of those doomed and darkly romantic liasons he has a penchant for instead of a serial killer.
@wilson.....
my jaw will never get slack and wide
@danielsnook5029
Great insight my fellow Morrissey fan.❤