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)
Work Is A Four
The Smiths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People say that you were born lazy
'Cause you say that
Work Is A Four-Letter Word
So change your life
There is so much I know
That you can do
Wide-awake
And take all of this love
That is waiting for you
If you stay
I'll stay right beside you
And my love
May help to remind you
To forget that
Work Is A Four-Letter Word
I don't need
A house that's a showplace
I just feel
That we're going no place
While you say that
Work Is A Four-Letter Word
So change your life
There is so much I know
You can do
Come and see ...
Wide-awake
And take all of this love
That is waiting for you
If you stay
I'll stay right beside you
And my love
Might help to remind you
To forget that
Work Is A Four-Letter Word
Oh ...
I don't need
A house that's a showplace
I just feel
That we're going no place
While you say that
Work Is A Four-Letter Word
So change your life
There is so much I know
That you can do
Please come and see ...
Wide-awake
And take all of this love
That is waiting for you
The Smiths's song Work Is a Four-Letter Word is a plea to a lover who is disenchanted with the idea of work. The singer of the song is in love with someone who they believe is capable of much more than they are giving themselves credit for. The opening line, "Loving you is driving me crazy," suggests that the singer's love for their lazy partner is causing them distress. The partner is referred to as "lazy," and the lyric "People say that you were born lazy" acknowledges this perception.
The chorus line, "Work Is A Four-Letter Word" is used to describe the partner's attitude towards work. The phrase "four-letter word" is a euphemism for a curse word, indicating that the partner views work in a negative light. The singer wants their partner to change their life and see the potential they have. In contrast, the singer's love for their partner is what drives them to encourage change.
The final verse repeats the previous stanzas but emphasizes the idea that the singer does not need material possessions, suggesting that they are willing to neglect these things for the sake of their relationship. With the repeated plea for their partner to change their life, the singer hopes to show them all the love that is waiting for them.
Line by Line Meaning
Loving you is driving me crazy
Being in love with you is causing me to feel mentally and emotionally unstable
People say that you were born lazy
Others claim that your tendency to avoid work is an inherent part of your personality
'Cause you say that / Work Is A Four-Letter Word
You dislike and avoid work to such a degree that you view it as a curse word
So change your life / There is so much I know / That you can do / Come and see ...
I believe that with some effort and change, you have the potential to achieve great things, and I encourage you to try
Wide-awake / And take all of this love / That is waiting for you
Be alert and open to receive the love and support that I have to offer
If you stay / I'll stay right beside you / And my love / May help to remind you / To forget that / Work Is A Four-Letter Word
If you commit to making positive changes, I will support you every step of the way and help you see the value of work
I don't need / A house that's a showplace / I just feel / That we're going no place / While you say that / Work Is A Four-Letter Word
I don't care about material possessions, but I do care about progress and growth, which is hindered by your attitude towards work
Please come and see ...
I urge you to come and see for yourself the endless possibilities that await if you are willing to put in the effort and break the cycle of laziness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD BLACK, GUY A. WOOLFENDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The OG Naptser
I love everything the Smith's did including this
jagercaster
Really, thanks a lot, years and years las time I've heard this masterpiece. Thanks again mate.
exexalien
Excellent mix. Thanks!
Azalea Balon
omg,been looking for this. thanks! mozz.for.life!
Leuqar arfaz
Salamat narinig ko ulit
go 64
💓Moz💓