Produced by John Porter
Record… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Morrissey & Johnny Marr
Produced by John Porter
Recorded October-November 1983, Pluto Studios (Manchester) & Eden Studios (London)
Released February 1984 on The Smiths. Peel Session version subsequently appeared on the album Hatful of Hollow, November 1984.
Notes Piano and organ are played by Paul Carrack.
Reel Around the Fountain
The Smiths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
It's time the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
You made him old
Slap me on the patio
I'll take it now
Oh
Fifteen minutes with you
Well, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people said that you were virtually dead
And they were so wrong
Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people said that you were easily led
And they were half-right
Oh, they, oh, they were half-right, oh
It's time the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
It's time that the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
You made him old
Oh, reel around the fountain
Slap me on the patio
I'll take it now
Ah, oh
Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
Oh, but I do
Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
I do
Oh, I, oh, I do
Oh
I dreamt about you last night
And I fell out of bed twice
You can pin and mount me like a butterfly
But, "Take me to the haven of your bed"
Was something that you never said
Two lumps, please
You're the bee's knees but so am I
Oh, meet me at the fountain
Shove me on the patio
I'll take it slowly
Oh
Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
Oh, but I do
Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
I do
Oh, I, I do
Oh, I do
Oh, I do
Oh, I do
"Reel Around the Fountain" by The Smiths has been described as a love song that is both haunting and beautiful. The song starts with the line "It's time the tale were told, of how you took a child and you made him old" which suggests that the song is about someone who has had their childhood taken from them before they had a chance to experience it. The next verse continues the same thought and reinforces the theme.
The chorus, which repeatedly states "reel around the fountain," is an ambiguous term that can be interpreted in many different ways. The word "reel" can mean to dance or to spin in a circle, while a fountain is often associated with water, which can be refreshing and cleansing. Together, the two words suggest a sense of joy, freedom, and release from the constraints of everyday life.
The second half of the song is focused on the desire for intimacy with a loved one. The line "Fifteen minutes with you, well I wouldn't say no" suggests that the singer longs for some quality time with their partner. The verses that follow continue to explore this theme, expressing a desire for physical closeness and emotional connection.
Overall, "Reel Around the Fountain" is a complex and poetic song that touches on themes of love, loss, and intimacy. Through its haunting melody and cryptic lyrics, it captures the dreamlike quality of falling deeply in love.
Line by Line Meaning
It's time the tale were told
It’s about time the story is shared
Of how you took a child
About how you manipulated a young person
And you made him old
And made him act older than his age
You made him old
You caused the young child to become prematurely mature
Reel around the fountain
Dance playfully around the fountain
Slap me on the patio
Playfully mess around
I'll take it now
I appreciate the fun
Fifteen minutes with you
A brief moment to share together
Well, I wouldn't say no
I'm excited and interested in spending time with you
Oh, people said that you were virtually dead
Others believed you were uninteresting, boring, or undesirable
And they were so wrong
Those people were mistaken
Oh, people said that you were easily led
Others believed you were easily manipulated
And they were half-right
Those people recognized some of your weaknesses
Oh, they, oh, they were half-right, oh
They were correct, but only in part
People see no worth in you
Others don't recognize or value your qualities
But I do.
I see your worth and appreciate you
I dreamt about you last night
I had dreams of you while I was asleep
And I fell out of bed twice
You aroused me and made me lose control
You can pin and mount me like a butterfly
You have complete control over me
But take me to the haven of your bed
Come take me to your bed
Was something that you never said
You never made a move or expressed interest
Two lumps, please
Request for a sugar for their tea
You're the bee's knees
You're just great
But so am I
But I'm also great
Meet me at the fountain
Come meet me at the fountain
Shove me on the patio
Push me around playfully
I'll take it slowly
I am patient and not in a rush
Oh, people see no worth in you
Others don't recognize or value your qualities
Oh, but I do
But I recognize and value them - I see you
Oh, I, I do
I indeed see it - I recognize and value you deeply
Oh, I do
I recognise and value you deeply
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steven Morrissey, Johnny Marr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind