Hooligans
Smith and Jones Lyrics
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And he said that he'd never, never do it again
And of course he won't (oh, not until the next time)
He was a sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
And he swore that he'll never, never do it again
And of course he won't (oh, not until the next time)
He had an "accident" with a three-bar fire
But that's o.k.
Because he wasn't very happy anyway
Poor woman
Strangled in her very own bed as she read
But that's o.k.
Because she was old and she would have died anyway
Don't blame
The sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
Because he'll never, never, never, never, never, never do it again
(not until the next time)
Jury, you've heard every word
So before you decide
Would you look into those "mother me" eyes
I love you for you, my love, you my love
You my love, you my love
Jury, you've heard every word
But before you decide
Would you look into those "mother me" eyes
I love you for you my love, you my love
I love you just for you, my love
Don't blame
The sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
Because he'll never, never do it again
And...
"In the midst of life we are in death etc."
Don't forget the hooligan, hooligan
Because he'll never, never do it again
And...
"In the midst of life we are in death etc."
Etc! etc! etc! etc!
In the midst of life we are in death etc!
Etc! etc! etc! etc!
In the midst of life we are in debt etc!
Just will you free me?
Will you find me?
Will you free me?
Will you find me?
Will you free me, free me, free me, free me, free me, free me, free me?
Jury will you free me?
Will you find me?
Will you free me?
Will you find me?
How will you find me, find me, find me, find me, find me, find me, find me?
Oh etc! etc! etc! etc! etc! etc!
Etc! etc! etc! etc!
In the midst of life we are in debt etc!
Oh...oh...
The song "Sweet and Tender Hooligan" by Smiths and Jones is a portrayal of a young man declared as the sweet and tender hooligan. The lyrics indicate that this man has committed horrendous acts, including an accident that caused an old man's death and the strangulation of another old woman. The hooligan admits to the acts, but he claims he will never do it again, not until the next time. He pleads with the jury not to blame him for his actions.
The song's lyrics have been subject to different interpretations, depending on who is listening. Some individuals see it as a commentary on society's view of young people as hooligans, while others view it as a representation of the inevitable progression of an individual's life from innocence to guilt. Another interpretation is that it portrays the idea that everyone has the capacity for evil, even individuals who may appear kind and harmless.
The song's message is presented through Morrissey's distinct voice, complemented by Johnny Marr's guitar instrumental. The guitar instrumental gives the song its upbeat and energetic vibe, despite its dark and somber lyrics. The song's popularity and unique message have made it a cult classic with a significant following across the world.
Line by Line Meaning
He was a sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
He appeared to be a loving and gentle person, but he was actually a troublemaker.
And he said that he'd never, never do it again
He claimed that he would never repeat the same bad behavior.
And of course he won't (oh, not until the next time)
But it's likely that he will do it again, just not right away.
Poor old man
It's unfortunate what happened to the old man, but...
He had an "accident" with a three-bar fire
...he accidentally got himself burned by a fire.
But that's o.k.
It's alright because...
Because he wasn't very happy anyway
...he wasn't very happy with his life before the incident.
Poor woman
It's unfortunate what happened to the old woman, but...
Strangled in her very own bed as she read
...she was strangled to death in her own bed while reading.
Because she was old and she would have died anyway
...she was already old and probably would have died soon anyways.
Don't blame
Don't blame...
The sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
...the seemingly kind troublemaker.
Because he'll never, never, never, never, never, never do it again
He claims that he will never repeat the behavior again, but...
(not until the next time)
...it's likely that he will in the future.
Jury, you've heard every word
Jury, you have heard everything that has been said in this case.
So before you decide
Before you make your decision...
Would you look into those "mother me" eyes
...take a good look at the defendant's pleading eyes.
I love you for you, my love, you my love
I love you for who you are, my love.
But before you decide
But before you make your decision...
I love you just for you, my love
I love you just the way you are, my love.
Don't forget the hooligan, hooligan
Don't forget about the troublemaker.
Because he'll never, never do it again
He claims that he will never repeat the behavior again.
And...
And...
"In the midst of life we are in death etc."
"In the midst of life, we are surrounded by the possibility of death and other such uncertainties, etcetera."
Etc! etc! etc! etc!
And so on and so forth!
In the midst of life we are in debt etc!
In the midst of life, we are often in debt and other complicated situations, etcetera!
Just will you free me?
Will you just set me free?
Will you find me?
Can you help me find my true self?
Will you free me?
Will you just set me free?
Will you find me?
Can you help me find my true self?
Will you free me, free me, free me, free me, free me, free me, free me?
Will you just set me free, again and again and again and again?
Jury will you free me?
Jury, can you please just set me free?
How will you find me, find me, find me, find me, find me, find me, find me?
How can you help me find my true self, again and again and again and again and again?
Oh etc! etc! etc! etc! etc! etc!
Oh and so on and so forth!
Etc! etc! etc! etc!
And so on and so forth!
In the midst of life we are in debt etc!
In the midst of life, we are often in debt and other complicated situations, etcetera!
Oh...oh...
Oh...oh...
Lyrics Š Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ian Kemp
It's not just the shock value, but, looking at it and enjoying it again, the characterisations of the three people - the professor with the higher IQ than EQ, the left-wing social worker, the initially urbane but then bemused and embarrassed presenter - are also spot on. Superb acting. For less chronologically challenged viewers, the name of the presenter is a parallel to Hugh Scully who presented BBC "Nationwide" and similar shows in the 1970s/1980s - even the presenter's hairstyle and suit are reminiscent of him.
Thin picks
And she then calls the presenter "Jonathan"!đ
Andy Hanrahan
Never, ever forgotten this sketch, how the laughter echoed around Britain that night, and how everyone was talking about it at School the next day :)
EdMcF1
indeed, it became a catch-phrase for years.
Alan Heath
Almost 40 years on and I well remember it too.
Painting Lockdown
I haven't seen this in 30 odd years and it is still as good now as it was then.
old runner stepx
this show was a must watch when I was 10. Lucky my folks let me watch it at the time. Brilliant.
Wm Tarr
@old runner stepx I suppose the odd thing is that the brexit folk might have re-appropriated it. It was the right wing hooligans that were meant to have been de-knackered at the time.
Matthew Curtis
Still hilarious over forty years on and certainly the hot topic at the time; secondary school the next day providing a great many laughs - the humour stems mainly from Pamela's deadpan delivery as the social worker...
Walter Cairns
Griff's face when he says "I'm sorry?" just cracks me up every time