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)
Well I Wonder
The Smiths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Do you hear me when you sleep?"
I hoarsely cry (why?)
Well, I wonder
Do you see me when we pass?
I half-die
Please, keep me in mind
Gasping, but somehow still alive
This is the fierce last stand of all I am
Gasping, dying, but somehow still alive
This is the final stand of all I am
Please, keep me in mind
Well, I wonder
Well, I wonder
Please, keep me in mind
Oh, keep me in mind
Keep me in mind
The Smiths’ “Well I Wonder” is a melancholic ballad that represents Morrissey’s struggles with feeling invisible and unimportant. The opening line, “Well I wonder, do you hear me when you sleep?” suggests that he feels forgotten and wonders if the subject of the song remembers him at all, even when they are at their most vulnerable.
The lyrics continue with Morrissey’s plea to not be forgotten, with the repeated line “Please keep me in mind” emphasizing his desperation. The line “gasping – dying – but somehow still alive” is particularly poignant, suggesting that Morrissey feels like he is barely holding on and is at the end of his rope.
Overall, the song is a raw and emotional representation of feeling forgotten and unimportant, and Morrissey’s powerful delivery and introspective lyrics make this one of the most memorable songs in The Smiths’ catalog.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I wonder
The singer has a question or thought on their mind
Do you hear me when you sleep ?
The singer wonders if the person they are addressing ever thinks about them, even in their sleep
I hoarsely cry
The singer's emotions are so intense that they are crying out loud, possibly in desperation or pain
Oh...
An expression of sadness or longing
Do you see me when we pass ?
The artist wonders if the person they are addressing even acknowledges their existence when they see each other
I half die...
The singer's emotions are overwhelming to the point of physical pain or death
Please keep me in mind
The singer wants to be remembered by the person they are addressing, indicating a desire for connection or acknowledgement
Gasping - but somehow still alive
The artist feels like they are barely holding on emotionally, but they are still alive and trying to survive
This is the fierce last stand of all I am
The artist is making a final effort to hold onto their identity or sense of self, even though it feels like it is slipping away
Gasping - dying - but somehow still alive
The artist's emotions are so intense that they feel like they are dying, but they are still somehow surviving
This is the final stand of all I am
The singer is making a final effort to hold onto who they are, even though it feels like they are losing everything
Keep me in mind
The artist reiterates their desire to be remembered, suggesting that it is very important to them
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steven Morrissey, Johnny Marr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ayiaali4265
Well I wonder
Do you hear me when you sleep?
I hoarsely cry
Well I wonder
Do you see me when we pass?
I half-die
Please keep me in mind
Please keep me in mind
Gasping but somehow still alive
This is the fierce last stand of all I am
Gasping, dying but somehow still alive
This is the final stand of all I am
Please keep me in mind
@claudiosantiago4457
Well I wonder
Do you hear me when you sleep ?
I hoarsely cry
Oh...
Well I wonder
Do you see me when we pass ?
I half die...
Oh...
Please keep me in mind
Please keep me in mind
Gasping - but somehow still alive
This is the fierce last stand of all I am
Gasping - dying - but somehow still alive
This is the final stand of all I am
Please keep me in mind
Well I wonder
Well I wonder
Please keep me in mind
Keep me in mind
Keep me in mind
@glynisroberts5029
Something in his voice really touches my soul
@jagercaster
It's true 👍
@jsystems2806
I agree I love Morrissey
@terrysemp2111
the americans have got their soul singers, and weve got arsehole singers
@jackhollywood4900
terry semp Dammit dude! 😭😭👌
@ninstendo1416
Majestic morris
@alessandroscuderi7300
Most underrated Smiths song.
@jerrywinters6914
As a long time listener of the Smiths, I would agree...Well said Alessandro.
@pabloescobar7647
@@jerrywinters6914 yeah man. I love this tune. All magnifico, but yeah a little diamond in the ruff.
@larrydavid571
The best smiths song more like