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)
It 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 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
(and 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 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 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, never, go back home again
The Smiths' song "Is It Really So Strange?" is a bittersweet love song with a twist. The lyrics are about a person who travels from the North to the South and vice versa, looking for a place to call home but feeling lost and confused. The singer meets someone they love and can't help their feelings, even if they are abused physically. The lyrics show the struggle of finding one's place in the world, and the pain that comes with loving someone who may not be good for you.
The song is filled with contradictions and paradoxes, adding to the overall feeling of disorientation and confusion. For example, the singer claims that they cannot help the way they feel, but then goes on to say that they got confused and killed a horse and a nun. The line "I lost my bag in Newport Pagnell" adds a touch of humor to the otherwise somber song. The last line, "I could never, I could never, never, never, go back home again" is a haunting reminder that sometimes, there is no going back.
Line by Line Meaning
I left the North
I departed from my original place of residence and moved to another location
I traveled South
I journeyed in the direction opposite to the North, heading towards the South
I found a tiny house
I discovered a small dwelling place or residence
And I can't help the way I feel
I am unable to control or restrain my emotions and how I feel
Oh yes, you can kick me
Even though you can physically hurt or harm me, my feelings remain the same
And you can punch me
Also, if you hit me, it still won't alter how I feel emotionally
And you can break my face
Even if you cause injury to my face, it cannot change my emotional state
But you won't change the way I feel
Despite any physical harm or violence, my emotions will remain constant
'Cause I love you
The reason behind my emotions is my affection and love for you
Oh...
An expression of emotion, but with no specific meaning
And is it really so strange ?
Expressing a rhetorical question, questioning why my emotions are considered strange
I say NO, you say YES
A conversation where my opinion is in opposition to the other person's perspective
(and you will change your mind)
An assertion that the other person will eventually come around and agree with me
I left the South
I departed from my previous place of residence in the South
I traveled North
I journeyed in the direction towards the North
I got confused - I killed a horse
I became bewildered and in a state of disorientation that led to me doing something irrational and regrettable
And you can butt me
Again, physical harm cannot change my emotional state or feelings
And you can break my spine
Even if you cause severe injury to me, my emotions and feelings will remain unaltered
I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I FEEL
An expression of lack of control over my emotions and feelings
I lost my bag in Newport Pagnell
A statement that my bag was lost in a particular town or city
Why is the last mile the hardest mile ?
A rhetorical question trying to understand why the final stage of a journey is the most difficult
My throat was dry, with the sun in my eyes
An expression of feeling dehydrated and obstructed vision due to being in intense sunlight
And I realized, I realized
A statement of realization and understanding
I could never
A statement of conclusion that expresses that I cannot
I could never, never, never, go back home again
An emphatic and conclusive statement expressing that I can never return to my original place of residence
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
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?