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)
Is It Really So Strange
The Smiths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I traveled South
I found a tiny house
And I can't help the way that I feel
Oh yes, you can kick me
And you can punch me
And you can break my face
'Cause I love you, oh
And is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so, really so strange?
I say, "No", you say, "Yes"
But you will change your mind
I left the South
I traveled North
I got confused, I killed a horse
I can't help the way that I feel
Oh yes, you can kick me
And you can butt me
And you can break my spine
But you won't change the way I feel
'Cause I love you, oh
And is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so, really so strange?
I say, "No", you say, "Yes"
But you will change your mind
I left the North again
I traveled South again
And I got confused, I killed a nun
I can't help the way I feel
I can't help the way I feel
I can't help the way I feel
I lost my bag in Newport Pagnell
Why is the last mile the hardest mile?
My throat was dry, with the sun in my eyes
And I realized, I realized
I could never, I could never, never, go back home again
The lyrics of "Is It Really So Strange" by The Smiths reflect a tumultuous and unrequited love. The song tells the story of a person who leaves the North and heads South to find a new life but can't escape their love for someone who doesn't return their feelings. Despite being physically abused by this person and experiencing confusion and violence on their journey, they remain steadfast in their love.
The repetition of the phrase "is it really so strange?" suggests a sense of disbelief or incomprehension at the fact that their love is not returned. The line "I say, 'No', you say, 'Yes'" is indicative of the back-and-forth nature of their relationship, with the other person sending mixed signals.
The final lines of the song, "Why is the last mile the hardest mile? My throat was dry, with the sun in my eyes, and I realized, I realized, I could never, I could never, never, go back home again" reflect a sense of hopelessness and resignation. The singer has come to the realization that their love is unattainable, and they can never return to the life they once knew.
Line by Line Meaning
I left the North
I departed my hometown
I traveled South
I journeyed to a different region
I found a tiny house
I discovered a small dwelling
And I can't help the way that I feel
My emotions are beyond my control
Oh yes, you can kick me
You're capable of physically harming me
And you can punch me
You can strike me with your fists
And you can break my face
You can cause physical damage to my face
But you won't change the way I feel
My emotions won't be altered by your violence
'Cause I love you, oh
I care about you deeply
And is it really so strange?
Is my behavior truly unusual?
Oh, is it really so strange?
Is it really abnormal?
Oh, is it really so, really so strange?
Is it actually that uncommon?
I say, "No", you say, "Yes"
We have differing opinions
But you will change your mind
You'll come around eventually
I got confused, I killed a horse
I was unclear on something and harmed an innocent animal
Oh yes, you can kick me
You're capable of using physical force against me
And you can butt me
You could hit me with your head
And you can break my spine
You could cause me serious physical harm
But you won't change the way I feel
Despite your violent tendencies, my emotions won't be altered
'Cause I love you, oh
I have strong feelings for you
And is it really so strange?
Is my behavior really that odd?
Oh, is it really so strange?
Is it very unusual?
Oh, is it really so, really so strange?
Is it truly out of the ordinary?
I say, "No", you say, "Yes"
We have differing opinions
But you will change your mind
You will come around to my perspective
I got confused, I killed a nun
I was unclear on something and took the life of a religious woman
I can't help the way I feel
My emotions are beyond my control
I can't help the way I feel
My emotions are not something I can change
I lost my bag in Newport Pagnell
My belongings went missing in a specific location
Why is the last mile the hardest mile?
Why is the final stretch the most challenging one?
My throat was dry, with the sun in my eyes
I was dehydrated and affected by the bright sunlight
And I realized, I realized
I came to a sudden understanding
I could never, I could never, never, go back home again
I knew I could never return to my previous life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@roiybenkel682
I left the North
I travelled South
I found a tiny house
And I can't help the way I feel
Oh yes, you can kick me
And you can punch me
And you can break my face
But you won't change the way I feel
'Cause I love you
Oh...
And is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so, really so strange?
I say NO, you say YES
(and you will change your mind)
I left the South
I travelled North
I got confused - I killed a horse
I can't help the way I feel
Oh yes, you can punch me
And you can butt me
And you can break my spine
But you won't change the way I feel
'Cause I love you
Oh...
And is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so, really so strange?
I say NO, you say YES
(But you will change your mind)
I left the North again
I travelled South again
And I got confused - I killed a nun
I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I FEEL
I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I FEEL
I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I FEEL
(I lost my bag in Newport Pagnell)
Why is the last mile the hardest mile?
My throat was dry, with the sun in my eyes
And I realised, I realised
I could never
I could never, never, never, go back home again
@thesmiths5395
New! The Smiths Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7sy3NL9RCKUJknQ8fvkdAv?si=t3pvD2P0TlKw8bu1lF5zUg
@deankittelson2798
Listening to Louder than bombs in honor of Andy. Only a beautiful soul could write and execute such power and soulfulness all in the same note. RIP friend.
@neilalancrombiemain6899
reminds me of high school played this and strangeways here we come over and over never got bored of them never will !!!!
@thesmiths5395
neilalancrombie main wish I was at school back now, I’m 17 finished high school listening to Drake and all that shite 😂 thanks for the post lad!
@corpi9693
I've had this song stuck in my head for the past week. I love this song <3
@linsayspence7070
One of the last Smith's songs, but one of the best ❤
@1feralbeast
Might be my favorite of all time of theirs..on the top 3 list for certain!
@Dremons7
Very underrated track
@mathewmcdonald3657
Great song. Why is the last mile the hardest mile?
@stevestrange965
How do you know?