Handsome Devil
The Smiths/Morissey Lyrics
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Eager to be held
I know what hands are for
And I'd like to help myself
You ask me the time
But I sense something more
And I would like to give
What I think you're asking for
Oh, you handsome devil
Let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
I crack the whip
And you skip
But you deserve it
You deserve it, deserve it, deserve it
A boy in the bush
Is worth two in the hand
I think I can help you get through your exams
Oh, you handsome devil
Oh, let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
I crack the whip
And you skip
But you deserve it
You deserve it, deserve it, deserve it
And when we're in your scholarly room
Who will swallow whom ?
When we're in your scholarly room
Who will swallow whom ?
You handsome devil
Oh, let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
There's more to life than books, you know
But not much more
Oh, there's more to life than books, you know
But not much more, not much more
Oh, you handsome devil
Oh, you handsome devil
Ow
The Smiths's song "Handsome Devil" is a bold, provocative, and sexually charged song that can be interpreted in many ways. The song is about a person who is confident in their sexuality and desires, with seemingly no shame or guilt about their carnal urges. The song starts with Morrissey observing the world around him and seeing everything as something to be held and desired. The chorus then focuses on the song's subject, an attractive person or 'handsome devil,' who the singer wants to get physically intimate with. The lyrics are filled with sexual innuendos, with the singer wanting to 'get his hands on mammary glands' and get the subject's head on the 'conjugal bed.' The song closes with the singer saying that there is 'more to life than books,' but not much more, indicating that physical pleasure and sensuality are equally as important.
The song can be interpreted in many ways, but most agree that it is about sexual desire and hedonism. Morrissey is playful and cheeky with his lyrics, which have a sense of humor to them. However, there is also a sense of danger and darkness in the song, with the singer wanting to 'crack the whip' and saying the subject deserves it. The lyrics also suggest that both parties are equal in the situation, asking 'who will swallow whom?' which can be interpreted as a power dynamic between two consenting adults. Overall, the song is a bold and sexually charged ode to hedonism and carnal desires.
Line by Line Meaning
All the streets are crammed with things
The world is full of possibilities
Eager to be held
Ready to be explored and experienced
I know what hands are for
I understand the power of touch and desire
And I'd like to help myself
I want to satisfy my own desires
You ask me the time
You ask me a simple question
But I sense something more
But I sense a deeper desire behind your question
And I would like to give
And I want to fulfill that desire
What I think you're asking for
What I believe you truly want
You handsome devil
You attractive and seductive person
Oh, you handsome devil
Oh, you irresistible and charming person
Let me get my hands
Let me touch
On your mammary glands
Your breasts
And let me get your head
And let me satisfy your mind
On the conjugal bed
In the intimate act of sex
I say, I say, I say
I repeat myself for emphasis
I crack the whip
I assert my dominance
And you skip
And you submit to my authority
But you deserve it
You desire it and it brings you pleasure
You deserve it, deserve it, deserve it
You are entitled to pleasure
A boy in the bush
Someone who is unknown and unexplored
Is worth two in the hand
Has more potential than what is already known
I think I can help you get through your exams
I can help you with your studies, but also offer you something more intimate
And when we're in your scholarly room
When we are alone together
Who will swallow whom ?
Who will dominate and who will submit?
There's more to life than books, you know
Life is not just about knowledge and education
But not much more
But there is not a lot more to it either
Oh, you handsome devil
Oh, you alluring and captivating person
Ow
An expression of pain or discomfort
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fabiolacerrato5383
All the streets are crammed with things
Eager to be held
I know what hands are for
And I'd like to help myself
You ask me the time
But I sense something more
And I would like to give
What I think you're asking for
You handsome devil
Oh, you handsome devil
Let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
I crack the whip
And you skip
But you deserve it
You deserve it, deserve it, deserve it
A boy in the bush
Is worth two in the hand
I think I can help you get through your exams
Oh, you handsome devil
Oh, let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
I crack the whip
And you skip
But you deserve it
You deserve it, deserve it, deserve it
And when we're in your scholarly room
Who will swallow whom ?
When we're in your scholarly room
Who will swallow whom ?
You handsome devil
Oh, let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
There's more to life than books, you know
But not much more
Oh, there's more to life than books, you know
But not much more, not much more
Oh, you handsome devil
Oh, you handsome devil
Ow
@doomertunes1092
All the streets are crammed with things
eager to be held
I know what hands are for
and I'd like to help myself
you ask me the time
but I sense something more
and I would like to give you
what I think you're asking for
you handsome devil
you handsome devil
Let me get my hands
on your mammary glands
and let me get your head
on the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
I crack the whip
and you skip
but you deserve it
you deserve it, deserve it, deserve it
A boy in the bush
is worth two in the hand
I think I can help you get through your exams
oh you handsome devil
Let me get my hands
on your mammary glands
and let me get your head
on the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
I crack the whip
and you skip
but you deserve it
you deserve it, deserve it, deserve it
And when we're in your scholarly room
who will swallow whom?
and when we're in your scholarly room
who will swallow whom?
you handsome devil
Let me get my hands
on your mammary glands
and let me get your head
on the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
There's more to life than books you know
but not much more
oh you handsome devil
@sassasdfghjkl
All the streets are crammed with things
Eager to be held
I know what hands are for
And I'd like to help myself
You ask me the time
But I sense something more
And I would like to give
What I think you're asking for
You handsome devil
Oh, you handsome devil
Let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
I crack the whip
And you skip
But you deserve it
You deserve it, deserve it, deserve it
A boy in the bush
Is worth two in the hand
I think I can help you get through your exams
Oh, you handsome devil
Oh, let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
I crack the whip
And you skip
But you deserve it
You deserve it, deserve it, deserve it
And when we're in your scholarly room
Who will swallow whom ?
When we're in your scholarly room
Who will swallow whom ?
You handsome devil
Oh, let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
There's more to life than books, you know
But not much more
Oh, there's more to life than books, you know
But not much more, not much more
Oh, you handsome devil
Oh, you handsome devil
Ow
@thesmiths5395
New! The Smiths Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7sy3NL9RCKUJknQ8fvkdAv?si=t3pvD2P0TlKw8bu1lF5zUg
@Me-ji2pn
“Let me get my hands on your mammary glands”
These lyrics really speak to me
@usagismuffins
i was telling my gf how that line was stuck in my head a few days ago 😭
@TMeyer-cc9cw
i was once singing that out loud in an elevator w airpods in and then i realized what i was saying
@Eightball69
Absolutely savage guitar riff and bassline. Everyone playing their f-ing socks off 👌
@sexobscura
Marr, no, the BAND, were INCREDIBLE
@fabiolacerrato5383
All the streets are crammed with things
Eager to be held
I know what hands are for
And I'd like to help myself
You ask me the time
But I sense something more
And I would like to give
What I think you're asking for
You handsome devil
Oh, you handsome devil
Let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
I crack the whip
And you skip
But you deserve it
You deserve it, deserve it, deserve it
A boy in the bush
Is worth two in the hand
I think I can help you get through your exams
Oh, you handsome devil
Oh, let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
I crack the whip
And you skip
But you deserve it
You deserve it, deserve it, deserve it
And when we're in your scholarly room
Who will swallow whom ?
When we're in your scholarly room
Who will swallow whom ?
You handsome devil
Oh, let me get my hands
On your mammary glands
And let me get your head
On the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say
There's more to life than books, you know
But not much more
Oh, there's more to life than books, you know
But not much more, not much more
Oh, you handsome devil
Oh, you handsome devil
Ow
@richarddavis8863
I always heard it as "scullery room", like the place in a big kitchen where you wash dishes
@gabriallavossli8659
This is such a perverse yet tasteful piece of poetic two step
@decaffeinatedafrican5997
EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!