The single charted higher than any of the singles released by his former band The Smiths, peaking at number 5 in the UK Singles Chart, and remains one of Morrissey's most well-known songs. The lead track was featured on Morrissey's debut album Viva Hate and the compilation album Bona Drag; the latter of which also featured the B-side "Hairdresser on Fire". The artwork of the single features a photo taken by Geri Caulfield at a Smiths gig at the London Palladium.
Suedeheads were a subculture that grew out from the original 1960s skinhead movement. The lyrics of the Morrissey song are unrelated to that topic.
Suedehead
Morrissey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And why, why do you hang around?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you telephone?
And why send me silly notes?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you come?
You had to sneak into my room
Just to read my diary
"It was just to see, just to see"
All the things you knew I'd written about you
Oh, so many illustrations
Oh, but I'm so very sickened
Oh, I am so sickened now
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh, it was a good lay
It was a good lay
Oh, what a good lay
It was a good lay
Good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
It was a good lay
It was a good lay
The lyrics of Morrissey's song "Suedehead" describe a relationship that has gone wrong. The singer is questioning why the other person keeps coming back when they know it's causing problems for him. He apologizes and then asks why they phone and send silly notes. The singer then accuses the other person of sneaking into his room and reading his diary, causing him to feel sickened. However, the song ends on a somewhat positive note with the repeated phrase "it was a good lay", suggesting that despite the problems, there were some enjoyable moments in the relationship.
Overall, the song is about the complications of relationships and how they can cause pain and discomfort, but also bring moments of pleasure. There is a sense of frustration and annoyance as the singer questions the other person's motives and actions. However, there is also a sense of honesty and vulnerability as the singer admits to feeling sickened and apologizes for the negative impact the relationship is having.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do you come here?
Morrissey is questioning the reason for the other person's presence in his life.
And why, why do you hang around?
He is also questioning why the other person continues to stick around, despite knowing it causes issues for Morrissey.
I'm so sorry
Morrissey expresses empathy and sadness.
When you know it makes things hard for me?
He highlights that the other person knows that their actions negatively impact him.
Why do you telephone?
Morrissey is frustrated with the other person's communication.
And why send me silly notes?
He questions the purpose behind the other person's messages.
You had to sneak into my room
Morrissey is accusing the person of invading his privacy.
Just to read my diary
The other person went as far as reading his personal diary.
"It was just to see, just to see"
The person excuses their behavior.
All the things you knew I'd written about you
Morrissey wrote about the person in his diary, and they knew about it.
Oh, so many illustrations
There were many drawings and descriptions of the person in his diary.
Oh, but I'm so very sickened
He expresses disgust and revulsion with how the other person has acted.
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
Morrissey recalls a sexual encounter with the person.
Oh-oh
A vocalization expressing emotion and nostalgia.
It was a good lay
He reminisces about the physical aspect of their relationship.
Good lay, good lay
He emphasizes how enjoyable the experience was.
Oh-oh, oh-oh
A continuation of the vocalization expressing emotion and nostalgia.
Oh, what a good lay
Morrissey looks back on the memory with fondness.
It was a good lay
He repeats the sentiment, showing the significance of the encounter in his mind.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Street, Steven Morrissey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lukfoll
Why do you come here?
And why, why do you hang around?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you come?
Why do you telephone?
And why send me silly notes?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you come?
You had to sneak into my room
Just to read my diary
"It was just to see, just to see"
All the things you knew I'd written about you
Oh, so many illustrations
Oh, but I'm so very sickened
Oh, I am so sickened now
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh, it was a good lay
It was a good lay
Oh, a good lay
It was a good lay
Good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
It was a good lay
It was a good lay
@miloaiolos2173
LYRICS
Why do you come here?
And why, why do you hang around?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you come?
Why do you telephone?
And why send me silly notes?
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
When you know it makes things hard for me?
When you know, oh
Why do you come?
You had to sneak into my room
Just to read my diary
"It was just to see, just to see"
All the things you knew I'd written about you
Oh, so many illustrations
Oh, but I'm so very sickened
Oh, I am so sickened now
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh, it was a good lay
It was a good lay
Oh, a good lay
It was a good lay
Good lay, good lay
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
It was a good lay
It was a good lay
@celliyork
Whos listening to this in 2024?
@lubelar410
Well you obviously ..dahh
@jennydunn9014
Me 😉
@Wimmles_Emily
Meeeeee
@mayralavadenz1720
Us old school peeps
@gfr588
Saludos desde México!!! I love this song!!
@punkergdl
1988 - this song is awesome!💥
2023 - this song still awesome!💥
@iasca7358
2023 - this song rapes!
@jillschaefer1360
💯
@Dat-yi4iz
Sign of a genius