The Smiths signed to the independent label Rough Trade Records in 1983 and released their first album, The Smiths, in 1984. They based their songs on the songwriting partnership of Morrissey and Marr. Their focus on a guitar, bass, and drum sound and a fusion of 1960s rock and post-punk was a rejection of the synth-pop sound that was predominant at the time. Several Smiths singles reached the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart, and all their studio albums reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart, including the number-one album Meat Is Murder (1985). They achieved mainstream success in Europe with The Queen Is Dead (1986) and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987), both of which entered the top 20 of the European Albums Chart.
Internal tensions led to the Smiths' breakup in 1987, followed by public lawsuits over royalties. Their live album Rank (1988) reached the top 10 in Europe. Since the band's dissolution, the members have refused offers to reunite and have all separately stated that the band is finished and will never reunite.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smiths
Studio albums
The Smiths (1984)
Meat Is Murder (1985)
The Queen Is Dead (1986)
Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
04. What She Said
The Smiths Lyrics
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"How come someone hasn't noticed
That I'm dead
And decided to bury me?
God knows, I'm ready!"
La-la-la...
What she said was sad
To pretend to be happy
Could only be idiocy
La-la-la...
What she said was not for the job or
Lover that she never had
Oh...
No no no...
What she read
All heady books
She'd sit and prophesise
(It took a tattooed boy from
Birkenhead
To really really open her eyes)
What she read
All heady books
She'd sit and prophesise
(It took a tattooed boy from
Birkenhead
To really really open her eyes)
What she said :
"I smoke 'cause I'm hoping for an
Early death
And I need to cling to something!"
What she said :
"I smoke 'cause I'm hoping for an
Early death
And I need to cling to something!"
No no no no...
The Smiths' "What She Said" is a song that delves into themes of rejection, idolization, and the desire for self-destruction. The song starts off with the chorus, where a woman laments that no one has noticed that she's dead, and wonders why no one has decided to bury her. She then goes on to say that she's ready to be buried, highlighting her unhappiness and desire for escape from her current situation.
The second verse of the song delves more into the woman's character, stating that her sadness is due to the rejection she's faced in life. Despite this, she pretends to be happy to avoid being judged by others, which the singer calls "idiocy." The woman's actions are not for the sake of trying to attract anyone for love or job but to numb the pain inside.
The final verse of the song talks about how the woman reads books that enlighten her, but it's only when she meets a tattooed boy from Birkenhead that she really sees the world clearly. The verse highlights the idea that the woman feels alone in her search for understanding, and it's only when she finds someone who has had a similar experience that she's able to connect with them.
Overall, "What She Said" showcases The Smiths' ability to explore complex emotions and topics that were often ignored in pop music at the time. The song is a commentary on society's tendency to ignore those who are struggling and highlights the dangers of idolizing self-destructive behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
How come someone hasn't noticed That I'm dead And decided to bury me? God knows, I'm ready!
She feels invisible and unwanted by the world so much that she wishes that someone would notice her death and take action. She feels ready to face death.
What she said was sad But then, all the rejection she's had To pretend to be happy Could only be idiocy
She often pretends to be happy to fit in with society, but the pain of all the rejection she faced has caused her to say something sad. Performing such a pretense when unhappy can only be considered stupidity.
What she said was not for the job or Lover that she never had Oh... No no no...
Her words were not related to any job or romantic partner that she never had. It is something entirely different that troubles her, which she cannot even express through words.
What she read All heady books She'd sit and prophesise (It took a tattooed boy from Birkenhead To really really open her eyes)
She used to read heavy, intellectual books, and it would lead her to make prophecies. She acknowledges that it took a colorful character from a working-class area of North West England to truly change her perspective on life.
What she said: "I smoke 'cause I'm hoping for an Early death And I need to cling to something!"
She smokes cigarettes not only because she expects an early death but also because she wants something to hold on to as a source of comfort in her troubled life.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mellon Collie
The more I see and hear about The Smiths the more I love them, I'm really addicted! Love the way Morrissey dance, like if he invited me to do the same :)
Ezidio Alves
Disco muito bom!
Ezidio Alves
Bons tempos de anos oitenta que eu ouvia rock no rádio com meus irmãos!
Rafael Weslley
how I'd like to see Morrissey dancing like this nowadays </3
Richard Weir
God, the band sound as tight as hell here and the sound quality is fantastic. Superb!
Alex Arroyo
que nivel de grupo wao no les conocia, pero me gusto mucho su musica, son un fan de los 80's y sin lugar a duda este es un grupaso, buena voz, buena musica, buen ritmo, si no estoy mal es undergraund, otro grupo que me recuerda este grupo es The Cure, el estilo me gusto muy bueno
fibervit
I miss this Morrissey younger version...he's so fucking active!!
Gary Thompson
Yes Alex I think the Smiths r the best band of the 80s
Alex Arroyo
hat group level wow did not know them, but I really liked their music, are a fan of 80's and without doubt this is a grupaso, good voice, good music, good rhythm, if I am wrong is undergraund, another group I remember this group is the Cure, I liked the style very good
FablesJonny
HAHAH love the hat!!!!! i smoke cos i need to cling to something..... great line!! SMITHS RULE!!!!!!!