The song tackles the plight of the disabled, a remarkable subject matter for a pop single. As ever with Morrissey the tone and sentiments are riddled with ambiguity. His use of words such as 'monster' and 'twisted' creates a strange mix of revulsion, sympathy and black comedy, all used to enlighten, and disturb, the audience. By forcing the ambivalent persona of tormentor and saviour, Morrissey forces the listener to confront their own prejudices head on."
Released - 23 April 1990
Format - 7", 12", CD, cassette
Length 5:25
Label - HMV (UK)
Writer(s) - Morrissey, Clive Langer Producer Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley
November Spawned a Monster
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because it's the closest you will
Get to love
Poor twisted child
So ugly, so ugly
Poor twisted child
Oh hug me, oh hug me
One November
In the shape of this child
Who later cried :
But Jesus made me, so
Jesus save me from
Pity, sympathy
And people discussing me
A frame of useless limbs
What can make good
All the bad that's been done ?
And if the lights were out
Could you even bear
To kiss her full on the mouth
(or anywhere?)
Oh, poor twisted child
So ugly, so ugly
Poor twisted child
Oh hug me, oh hug me
One November
Spawned a monster
In the shape of this child
Who must remain
A hostage to kindness
And the wheels underneath her
A hostage to kindness
And the wheels underneath her
A symbol of where mad, mad lovers
Must pause and draw the line.
So sleep and dream of love
Because it's the closest
You will get to love
That November
Is a time
Which I must
Put out of my mind
Oh, one fine day
Let it be soon
She won't be rich or beautiful
But she'll be walking your streets
In the clothes that she went out
And chose for herself.
In Morrissey's song November Spawned a Monster, the lyrics describe a child who is born with a physical disability and who struggles with feelings of loneliness and isolation as a result of being treated as an outsider by society. The song is a poignant commentary on the human condition, and Morrissey uses his lyrics to explore themes of isolation, loneliness, and the search for love and acceptance. Throughout the song, Morrissey paints a vivid picture of a world that is often cruel and unforgiving, and he encourages his listeners to be kind and compassionate to those who are marginalized and marginalized by society.
The lyrics describe a child who is viewed as an outcast by society, and who longs for the love and acceptance that seems to be out of reach. The child is described as being "twisted" and "ugly," and as being unable to find comfort or solace in the world around him. Morrissey's lyrics are deeply empathetic towards this child, and he paints a moving portrait of a young person who is struggling to find his place in the world.
The lyrics of November Spawned a Monster is believed to be autobiographical in nature, and Morrissey has attributed the inspiration for the song to his own experiences growing up in Manchester during the 1960s. The song is also widely regarded as one of Morrissey's most influential works, and it has been cited as a major influence on a number of artists in the alternative rock, post-punk, and indie rock genres.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleep on and dream of love
Encouraging someone to continue sleeping and dreaming about love, as it is the closest they will ever come to experiencing it.
Because it's the closest you will
The reason to dream about love is due to the fact that it is the nearest and most accessible way to experience it.
Get to love
The dream of it is just a mirage, an unrealized state that can never be actualized in reality.
Poor twisted child
A pitiable and mentally scarred individual.
So ugly, so ugly
This is an utterance of disgust and sorrow over the individual's disfigured body and life.
Oh hug me, oh hug me
The poor twisted child appeals to the listener to provide them hugs and comfort.
One November
A particular and significant November month is being referenced.
Spawned a monster
Something dreadful and abnormal was created during this November period.
In the shape of this child
The monster was created with this poor and twisted child as a template.
Who later cried :
An indication of an emotional moment that followed.
But Jesus made me, so
The poor twisted child believes that Jesus made them, and this statement is followed by an appeal to Jesus.
Jesus save me from
Seeking salvation from Jesus, to save them from their distress and pain.
Pity, sympathy
The child wants Jesus to save them from the pity and sympathy of others.
And people discussing me
The child does not want to be talked about by people as a subject of their rumors and negative conversations.
A frame of useless limbs
A description of their body as being of no use due to the abnormalities that twisted and disabled their limbs.
What can make good
A question of the possibility of finding good in such a hopeless and painful state.
All the bad that's been done ?
A lament on the pains and evil actions that have happened to them and the resultant state they currently find themselves in.
And if the lights were out
An assumption that the child's physical appearance is so grotesque that a person could not kiss them even in the darkness.
Could you even bear
A question put to the audience on whether they can handle or endure kissing the child.
To kiss her full on the mouth
To kiss the child passionately or deeply and fully on the mouth.
(or anywhere?)
An open-ended question on the possibility of kissing the child in other parts of their body.
A hostage to kindness
A definition of the child's status - a person who is subject to the mercy and kindness of others due to their painful and hopeless state.
And the wheels underneath her
A statement that makes it clear that the child is confined to a wheelchair.
A symbol of where mad, mad lovers
A warning to the audience about the wrong moves and decisions that passionate and uncontrolled lovers may take.
Must pause and draw the line.
A call to lovers not to cross certain boundaries, regardless of their desire or passion for their loved ones.
That November
A reference to November, which the artist wants to forget for some reason.
Is a time
An acknowledgement that November is a period of time.
Which I must
A personal obligation imposed by the artist.
Put out of my mind
A statement of intent to expunge November from the artist's thoughts and memories.
Oh, one fine day
A longing, imperfectly fulfilled.
Let it be soon
Wishing, in words, for the desire to be fulfilled shortly.
She won't be rich or beautiful
A wish for a lover who is not materially wealthy or particularly good-looking.
But she'll be walking your streets
A desire for the lover to be present, visible, and accessible.
In the clothes that she went out
A desire for the lover to be dressed and adorned their way, asserting their chosen identity and appearance.
And chose for herself.
A note of personal choice and the desire for the lover's agency and self-esteem to be respected.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLIVE LANGER, STEVE MORRISSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@meyoumovie
#Lyrics
Sleep on and dream of love
Because it's the closest you will
Get to love
Poor twisted child
So ugly, so ugly
Poor twisted child
Oh hug me, oh hug me
One November
Spawned a monster
In the shape of this child
Who later cried :
But Jesus made me, so
Jesus save me from
Pity, sympathy
And people discussing me
A frame of useless limbs
What can make good
All the bad that's been done ?
And if the lights were out
Could you even bear
To kiss her full on the mouth
(or anywhere?)
Oh, poor twisted child
So ugly, so ugly
Poor twisted child
Oh hug me, oh hug me
One November
Spawned a monster
In the shape of this child
Who must remain
A hostage to kindness
And the wheels underneath her
A hostage to kindness
And the wheels underneath her
A symbol of where mad, mad lovers
Must pause and draw the line.
So sleep and dream of love
Because it's the closest
You will get to love
That November
Is a time
Which I must
Put out of my mind
Oh, one fine day
Let it be soon
She won't be rich or beautiful
But she'll be walking your streets
In the clothes that she went out
And chose for herself.
@rgallie
Village People: I think we have made the most homoerotic video yet
Morrissey: Pass me that rock
@kimberlytuten8262
Hell yeah.
@clintwilson6380
Classic. Man, I sure miss The Smiths☆
@dankbean9345
Lil Nas X: 👹
@violetjones9714
Alternative title: Morrissey doing weird things in a desert for 5 minutes straight
@johnhareiel5118
Morrissey and Straight in the same sentence! 😆
@vernonhedge4530
lol
@Peepooguy
More like 5 minutes gay 😆
@miguelinglesserrano1777
i am physically disabled by a car accident 18 years ago since then, music is my support, thanks :-)
@ColossalZonko
'so sleep and dream of love... 'cause it's the closes you'll get to love'
he described my love life better than I could...