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)
Death at One
The Smiths Lyrics
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Don't come to the house tonight
Oh Glenn
Oh Glenn
Don't come to the house tonight
Oh Glenn
Because there's somebody here
Who really really loves you
Stay home
Be bored
(It's crap, I know)
Tonight
Oh Glenn
Oh Glenn
Don't come to the house tonight
Oh Glenn
Oh Glenn
Don't come to the house tonight
Because there's somebody here
Who'll take a hatchet to your ear
The frustration it renders me
Hateful, oh...
Oh, don't come to the house tonight
Oh, don't come to the house tonight
Because you'll slip on the
Trail of all my sad remains
That's why, that's why
Goodbye my love, goodbye my love
Goodbye my love, goodbye my love
Goodbye my love, goodbye my love
Belch
The song "Oh Glenn, Don't Come to the House Tonight" by The Smiths is a sarcastic love song about unrequited love. The singer, who may be Morrissey, addresses Glenn directly and tells him not to come to their house because there is somebody there who loves him very much. However, as the song progresses, we realize that the singer is not that person. They express their frustration and anger towards Glenn and even threaten violence towards him. The lyrics are filled with irony, as the singer claims to love Glenn but at the same time wishes harm upon him. The final lines of the song suggest that this love is over and the singer bids farewell to Glenn.
The tone of the song is dark and brooding, with Johnny Marr's guitar work providing a menacing atmosphere. The lyrics demonstrate Morrissey's trademark wit and irony, as well as his ability to convey complex emotions in a seemingly simple song. The song has been interpreted as a commentary on Morrissey's own experiences with unrequited love and his frustration with romantic relationships in general. It also showcases The Smiths' ability to subvert the traditional love song genre and inject it with their unique style and sensibility.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Glenn
Addressing a person named Glenn, possibly indicating a prior relationship or acquaintance.
Don't come to the house tonight
Urging Glenn not to visit or come over to the singer's residence on the night in question.
Because there's somebody here
Implying the presence of another person at the house, suggesting that Glenn's visit could pose an issue or threat.
Who really really loves you
Contrasting the previous line, indicating that someone at the house has strong feelings of affection toward Glenn.
Stay home
Offering an alternative to visiting the house, suggesting that Glenn should simply remain at home instead.
Be bored
Implying that staying home may not be exciting, but it is preferable to any potential conflicts or issues that could arise from a visit.
(It's crap, I know)
Acknowledging the unappealing nature of the suggested alternative, but emphasizing its superiority to the potential consequences of a visit.
Oh, don't come to the house tonight
Repeating the earlier refrain, again discouraging Glenn from coming over.
Who'll take a hatchet to your ear
Introducing a more sinister and threatening tone, suggesting that someone at the house may inflict harm on Glenn if he does visit.
The frustration it renders me
Reflecting on the artist's own emotions and frustrations in regards to Glenn's potential visit, indicating a sense of anxiety or distress.
Hateful, oh...
Adding emphasis to the negative emotions associated with Glenn's visit, suggesting a deep sense of dislike or animosity.
Because you'll slip on the trail of all my sad remains
Offering a somewhat cryptic warning, suggesting that Glenn's visit could lead to him encountering or experiencing some sort of emotional or personal baggage of the artist's.
Goodbye my love, goodbye my love
Concluding with a mournful farewell, expressing a sense of finality and resignation in regards to the relationship between the singer and Glenn.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind