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)
Half A Person
The Smiths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've spent six years on your trail
Six long years on your trail
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
Six full years of my life on your trail
Then I'll tell you the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the why W.C.A.
I said I like it here, can I stay?
I like it here, can I stay?
Do you have a vacancy for a back-scrubber?
She was left behind, and sour
And she wrote to me equally dour
She said in the days when you were hopelessly poor
I just liked you more
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the why W.C.A.
I said I like it here, can I stay?
I like it here, can I stay?
And do you have a vacancy for a back-scrubber?
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent too long on your trail
Far too long chasing your tail, oh
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
That's the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
The story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
The story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
The Smiths’ “Half a Person” is a poignant and evocative song about unrequited love and the pursuit to belong. The lyrics take us on a journey through the singer's life, as they recount their obsession with someone who they refer to as “she.” The singer describes their unwavering dedication to finding this person, spending six long years on their trail. They beg for a chance to stay close to this person, even offering to be a back-scrubber.
However, the song is not just about the singer’s longing for someone else. There are also moments where the singer seems to be exploring their own sense of self. The repeated line “Call me morbid, call me pale” suggests the singer is aware of their own perceived differences from others. Additionally, the line “Sixteen, clumsy and shy/I went to London and I” highlights the singer's vulnerability and self-doubt. Despite their reservations, the singer continues to pursue their love interest, only to ultimately realize they have spent too much time chasing someone who doesn't reciprocate their feelings.
Overall, “Half a Person” is a moving reflection on the complexities of love and human connection, capturing the often-unbalanced nature of relationships and the painful, at times torturous, path to finding self-acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me morbid, call me pale
I have a melancholic personality and physical appearance
I've spent six years on your trail
I've been chasing after someone for six years
Six full years of my life on your trail
I've dedicated a significant amount of my life to this pursuit
And if you have five seconds to spare
If you can indulge me briefly
Then I'll tell you the story of my life
I'll share my personal struggles and experiences
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
I was awkward and unsure of myself at sixteen
I went to London and I
I traveled to London
I booked myself in at the why W.C.A.
I checked into a hostel called the why W.C.A.
I said I like it here, can I stay?
I expressed my desire to remain in London
Do you have a vacancy for a back-scrubber?
I asked if there was any work available
She was left behind, and sour
The person I was pursuing was left behind and resentful
And she wrote to me equally dour
She communicated her negativity to me
She said in the days when you were hopelessly poor
She recalls a time when I was struggling financially
I just liked you more
But despite that, she still had feelings for me
I've spent too long on your trail
I've finally realized that my pursuit has gone on for too long
Far too long chasing your tail, oh
I've been chasing a fruitless endeavor
The story of my life
This is a summary of my life experiences so far
That's the story of my life
That's all there is to it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steven Morrissey, Johnny Marr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andikawicaksana9361
[Verse 1]
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
Six long years on your trail
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
Six full years of my life on your trail
[Bridge]
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life
[Chorus]
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the Y.W.C.A
I said "I like it here, can I stay?
I like it here, can I stay?
Do you have a vacancy for a back-scrubber?"
[Verse 2]
She was left behind and sour
And she wrote to me equally dour
She said "In the days when you were hopelessly poor
I just liked you more"
@mannylugz5872
[Verse 3]
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
Far too long, chasing your tail, ohhh uhhh
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
Sotry of my life.
@josuerestrepo1476
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
Six long years on your trail
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
Six full years of my life on your trail
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the Y.W.C.A.
I said I like it here, can I stay?
I like it here, can I stay?
Do you have a vacancy for a back-scrubber?
She was left behind, and sour
And she wrote to me equally dour
She said in the days when you were hopelessly poor
I just liked you more
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the Y.W.C.A.
I said I like it here, can I stay?
I like it here, can I stay?
And do you have a vacancy for a back-scrubber?
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent too long on your trail
Far too long chasing your tail, oh
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
That's the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
The story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
The story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
@strawberrylemonadekristina
When I was 16 I was clumsy and shy. At 49 I'm still clumsy and shy. Life is bearable because of the Smiths which is why I will always adore them.
@zephead843
Felt that like a sucker punch. The Smiths were the best band of their generation. Period. End of story.
@joseph1845
I love you how you are
@strawberrylemonadekristina
@@joseph1845 Thank U ❤
@TimSammartino
They said, There's too much caffeine In your bloodstream and a lack of real spice in your life I said, Leave me alone because I'm alright, dad surprised to still be on my own
@arthurthistlewood1225
I'm a similar age. They spoke to some of our generation and always will.
@HelenaBaatista
it feels very comforting when you're in a bad time and find a song that you can hear beyond the silence
@edgardogregorini957
Te invito a que la escuchemos juntos 😜
@Lancer7117
Truth
@phillynott2459
Nice comment❤️