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)
London
The Smiths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What’s really going on
In this city london
Trapped here dungeon
Tryna get back
To where I really come from
Been stuck here for far too long
Wondering
In this city london
Trapped here dungeon
Tryna get back
To where I really come from
Been stuck here for far too long
Still in the same bits
Seeing the same shit
Different day
Nothing really changes
Apart from emotions we displaying on our faces
Swear down I aint laughed in ages
We just ageing
Not really growing
Losing potential without even knowing
Looking at my grandma
She use to love sowing
Now she barely understands who I am
Demensa
Memory loss
Its in my genes
Diabetes this could eventually be me
Hopefully not
So lemme give you what I got
Not much to you
But me its a lot
No Lala Dada
I owe that to my daughter
Make sure you understand
Im the best man
It time I make these grands
Yeah I owe that to my grands
And rest of my aunites endning in
Anne
Wondering
What’s really going on
In this city london
Trapped here dungeon
Tryna get back
To where I really come from
Been stuck here for far too long
Wondering
What’s really going on
In this city london
Trapped here dungeon
Tryna get back
To where I really come from
Been stuck here for far too long
Even though I got your back
You all abandon me
Never gave a helping hand
But it made me who I am
Got to do this
By myself
With support from unknown fans
Too much blood and tears shed
I can never let you down
Claim to the top
Take my spot
Move out the way prick
Dont become my target
Coz I always hit my aim
you can keep the fame
Just pay me all the pay
The money I waste
I will triple and triple
Like clicked copy and paste
I will pave the way
All day long
Rewind my song
Im on from
L ON Don
L for Leader
God Believer
Dont get strayed
Get the papers
Brush of haters
Im a saviour
Will be save me
Before I go crazy
Out my mind
Too late
It really Is my time to shine
PS I told you
Listen to what your told
Im a wise man
Battlefield solider
Wondering
Whats really going on
In this city london
Trapped here dungeon
Tryna get back
To where I really come from
Been stuck here for far too long
Wondering
What’s really going on
In this city london
Trapped here dungeon
Tryna get back
To where I really come from
Been stuck here for far too long
The Smiths' song "London" portrays the feeling of being trapped in the city while longing to return to one's real home. The lyrics express frustration with the monotony of city life and the loss of personal connections as a result. The idea of growing older but not growing and losing potential is also a theme. Morrissey touches on the topic of mental health and the fear of inheriting genetic conditions. He stresses the importance of personal responsibility and persistence in the face of neglect from others.
The chorus is a repetition of the line, "Wondering what's really going on in this city London, trapped here dungeon, tryna get back to where I really come from, been stuck here for far too long." The repetition of these lines emphasizes the feeling of being trapped in one's current situation and the desire to escape it. The gritty portrayal of London as a dungeon where one is trapped adds to the feeling of being stuck and unable to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Wondering
Pondering about the true reality of things
What’s really going on
The actual events that are taking place
In this city london
Within the confines of the city of London
Trapped here dungeon
Feeling imprisoned or stuck in a dark, oppressive place
Tryna get back
Attempting to return to a previous state or place
To where I really come from
To the place where one feels they truly belong
Been stuck here for far too long
Feeling like they have been in the same place or situation for an extended period of time
Still in the same bits
Remaining in the same location or situation
Seeing the same shit
Being exposed to the same negative experiences and people
Different day
Another day with the same monotony and frustration
Nothing really changes
The same issues and problems persist without resolution
Apart from emotions we displaying on our faces
The only visible difference is the emotions we show outwardly
Swear down I aint laughed in ages
Not being able to find joy or humor in anything for a long time
We just ageing
Growing older without significant progress or growth
Not really growing
Not moving forward or developing as a person
Losing potential without even knowing
Wasting the talent or skills one possesses without realizing it
Looking at my grandma
Reflecting on the aging of a beloved family member
She use to love sowing
Remembering a pastime or hobby that a family member used to enjoy
Now she barely understands who I am
Recognizing the effects of aging and illness on a loved one's cognitive abilities
Demensa
A reference to dementia or Alzheimer's disease
Memory loss
The inability to remember important information or events
Its in my genes
Suggesting a familial history of a particular health condition
Diabetes this could eventually be me
Acknowledging the possibility of developing a chronic health condition
Hopefully not
Expressing the desire not to experience a negative outcome
So lemme give you what I got
Sharing one's own talents or abilities
Not much to you
The listener may not find it valuable
But me its a lot
It holds personal significance or importance
No Lala Dada
A declaration to not engage in frivolity or waste time
I owe that to my daughter
Acknowledging the responsibility to be a good role model and parent
Make sure you understand
Ensuring that one's message is clear and easily comprehensible
Im the best man
Confidence in one's abilities and character
It time I make these grands
Pursuing financial success for oneself and one's family
Yeah I owe that to my grands
Feeling a sense of responsibility to provide for one's relatives
And rest of my aunites endning in Anne
Extending the desire to help to other family members
Even though I got your back
Despite being supportive of others
You all abandon me
Feeling let down or betrayed by those who should have been there for support
Never gave a helping hand
Not receiving assistance from those who could have provided it
But it made me who I am
The struggles and challenges have helped shape one's identity and character
Got to do this
Necessity to pursue one's goals and aspirations
By myself
Without relying on others for support or assistance
With support from unknown fans
Finding encouragement and motivation from strangers
Too much blood and tears shed
Experiencing significant emotional and physical pain
I can never let you down
The commitment to succeeding despite the lack of support
Claim to the top
The ambitious goal of achieving great success
Take my spot
Challenging others who may be in one's way or competition
Move out the way prick
Directly addressing those who may be blocking progress or success
Dont become my target
Warning others not to provoke or anger the singer
Coz I always hit my aim
Confident in one's own ability to succeed and achieve goals
you can keep the fame
Not prioritizing fame or recognition
Just pay me all the pay
Valuing financial stability and success over fame or recognition
The money I waste
Regret over squandering financial resources in the past
I will triple and triple
Confident in one's own ability to turn a profit
Like clicked copy and paste
Achieving success with a simple, repeatable strategy
I will pave the way
Leading the way for others to find success
All day long
Working tirelessly to achieve success
Rewind my song
Reflecting on one's journey to success
Im on from L ON Don
Proudly representing one's hometown of London
L for Leader
The artist sees themselves as a natural leader
God Believer
Having faith in a higher power
Dont get strayed
Encouraging others to stay focused on their goals
Get the papers
Focus on achieving financial success
Brush of haters
Ignoring or dismissing those who are critical or unsupportive
Im a saviour
Confident in one's ability to make a positive impact
Will be save me
Questioning one's own ability to overcome challenges
Before I go crazy
Feeling overwhelmed or stressed to the point of a breakdown
Out my mind
Losing one's sanity or composure
Too late
Past the point of no return
It really Is my time to shine
Confident in one's ability to finally achieve success and recognition
PS I told you
A reminder that the artist has previously predicted their success
Listen to what your told
Encouraging others to listen to advice and guidance
Im a wise man
Confident in one's own intelligence and decision-making abilities
Battlefield solider
Committed to persevering through challenges and adversity
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Peirce Leverington-Clarke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind