… Read Full Bio ↴"Piccadilly Palare" was a single released by Morrissey in October 1990.
Despite reaching a disappointing number 18 on the British singles chart, "Piccadilly Palare" was a generally well received single, and the last release before Morrissey began a writing partnership with Mark Nevin. It also features one of Morrissey's former colleagues from The Smiths, Andy Rourke.
As with "November Spawned a Monster", Morrissey chose to write about a subject unusual in pop music, namely male prostitution around the Piccadilly area of London. The title of the song refers to cant slang language polari, first used by male prostitutes in the 19th century and was then taken up by homosexuals in the 1960s to disguise sexual predilections which were illegal in the UK until 1967. It was also used in the BBC radio comedy Round the Horne by the characters Julian and Sandy.
The voice featured in the background of the song belongs to Suggs, the lead singer of the band Madness
Piccadilly Palare
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Off the rails
I was happy to stay
Get out of my way
On the rack I was
Easy meat, and a reasonably good buy
A reasonably good buy
Was just silly slang
Between me and the boys in my gang
"So bona to vada. oh you
Your lovely eek and
Your lovely riah"
We plied an ancient trade
Where we threw all life's
Instructions away
Exchanging lies and digs (my way)
Cause in a belted coat
Oh, I secretly knew
That I hadn't a clue
(No, no. No, no, no. You can't get there that way. Follow me...)
The Piccadilly Palare
Was just silly slang
Between me and the boys in my gang
Exchanging Palare
You wouldn't understand
Good sons like you
Never do.
So why do you smile
When you think about earl's court ?
But you cry when you think of all
The battles you've fought (and lost) ?
It may all end tomorrow
Or it could go on forever
In which case I'm doomed
It could go on forever
In which case I'm doomed
Bona drag...
The lyrics to Morrissey's song Piccadilly Palare tell the story of a gang of young men who ply an "ancient trade" and communicate with each other using a secret slang called Palare. The singer of the song is a member of this gang, who is "off the rails" and "happy to stay" there. He is aware of his own cluelessness and lack of direction in life, but takes comfort in the company of his fellow gang members.
The use of Palare in the song serves both as a way of creating a sense of community among the gang members, but also as a form of rebellion against the norms of society. Palare was a secret language used by gay men in Britain in the mid-20th century, as a way of circumventing laws and social persecution. By using this language in the song, Morrissey is making a subtle nod to the queer subculture of his youth.
The final lines of the song ("It may all end tomorrow / Or it could go on forever / In which case I'm doomed") suggest a sense of existential nihilism and despair, as the singer acknowledges the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. However, the use of the phrase "Bona drag" at the end of the song (which translates roughly to "good outfit" in Palare) suggests that there is still some joy to be found in the midst of this bleakness, perhaps through the act of dressing up or presenting oneself in a flamboyant manner.
Line by Line Meaning
Off the rails I was and
I was lost and directionless
Off the rails
I was going against the norm
I was happy to stay
I enjoyed my carefree lifestyle
Get out of my way
Don't try to stop me
On the rack I was
I was under great pressure
Easy meat, and a reasonably good buy
I was vulnerable and an easy target
The Piccadilly Palare
The secret language used by my group of friends
Was just silly slang
To outsiders, it seemed nonsensical
Between me and the boys in my gang
We used it to communicate and bond
"So bona to vada. oh you
Your lovely eek and
Your lovely riah"
Example of Piccadilly Palare, meaning 'nice to see you, your hair and your face look lovely'
We plied an ancient trade
We followed a traditional way of life
Where we threw all life's
Instructions away
We ignored societal norms
Exchanging lies and digs (my way)
We insulted each other playfully
Cause in a belted coat
Oh, I secretly knew
That I hadn't a clue
I wore a fashionable coat but was clueless about life
Exchanging Palare
Speaking in our secret language
You wouldn't understand
Outsiders couldn't understand our language or lifestyle
Good sons like you
Never do.
People who follow societal norms wouldn't understand
So why do you smile
When you think about earl's court ?
Why are you happy about your typical life?
But you cry when you think of all
The battles you've fought (and lost) ?
Why are you sad about the struggles you've faced?
It may all end tomorrow
Or it could go on forever
Life is uncertain
In which case I'm doomed
It could go on forever
In which case I'm doomed
I'm stuck in my current lifestyle that could last forever
Bona drag...
Farewell...
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG, STEVEN MORRISSEY, STEVEN PATRICK MORRISSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind