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)
You've Got Everything Now
The Smiths Lyrics
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I was right and you were wrong
Back at the old grey school
I would win and you would lose
But you've got everything now
You've got everything now
Oh, what a mess I've made of my life
No, I've never had a job
Because I've never wanted one
I've seen you smile
But I've never really heard you laugh
So who is rich and who is poor?
I cannot say...oh
You are your mother's only son
And you're a desperate one
Oh...
But I don't want a lover
I just want to be seen...oh...in the back of your car
A friendship sadly lost?
Well this is true...and yet, it's false
Oh...
But did I ever tell you, by the way?
I never did like your face
But you've got everything now
You've got everything now
And what a terrible mess I've made of my life
Oh, what a mess I've made of my life
No, I've never had a job
Because I'm too shy
I've seen you smile
But I've never really heard you laugh
So who is rich and who is poor ?
I cannot say...oh
Oh...
You are your mother's only son
And you're a desperate one
Oh...
But I don't want a lover
I just want to be tied... oh...to the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
Oh...
The Smiths’ song “You’ve Got Everything Now” has a melancholic and somewhat sarcastic tone. The lyrics talk about a person who, in the past, felt superior to the one they are addressing, but now sees them as having everything they’ve always wanted. The song talks about the singer’s regretful state of mind, as they compare their own life with the other person’s. The song talks about the emptiness of material possessions and how they do not necessarily lead to happiness or fulfillment.
It is implied that the singer has been predominantly unsuccessful in life, and they’ve never held a job. They also mention the other person’s smile but never having heard them laugh, suggesting that they’re both emotionally unfulfilled, despite outward appearances. The song reflects on the ephemeral nature of personal relationships, highlighting how a once meaningful friendship has now in retrospect been lost.
Line by Line Meaning
As merry as the days were long
I once was carefree and happy
I was right and you were wrong
I used to win all our arguments
Back at the old grey school
We had a rough time growing up
I would win and you would lose
I was always better at everything than you
But you've got everything now
Despite my past superiority, you now have everything
And what a terrible mess I've made of my life
I have failed in many aspects and am envious of your success
No, I've never had a job
I have never felt the motivation to work
Because I've never wanted one
I have never had a true desire for a career or a steady income
I've seen you smile
You have appeared happy in my presence
But I've never really heard you laugh
But I have never truly heard you express joy
So who is rich and who is poor?
It is unclear who is truly wealthy, and who is not
I cannot say...oh
I do not know
You are your mother's only son
You are the only child of your mother
And you're a desperate one
You are hungry for success and fulfillment
But I don't want a lover
I do not desire a romantic partner
I just want to be seen...oh...in the back of your car
I just want to be acknowledged or recognized as your companion
A friendship sadly lost?
Has our friendship been destroyed?
Well this is true...and yet, it's false
The answer is complicated, and may have multiple interpretations
But did I ever tell you, by the way?
By the way, did I ever mention
I never did like your face
I never truly found you physically attractive
Because I'm too shy
My shyness has held me back from pursuing job opportunities
To the back of your car
I fantasize about being close to you, even in a non-romantic context
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevenmorrissey180
As merry as the days were long
I was right and you were wrong
Back at the old grey school
I would win and you would lose
But you've got everything now
You've got everything now
And what a terrible mess I've made of my life
Oh, what a mess I've made of my life
No, I've never had a job
Because I've never wanted one
I've seen you smile
But I've never really heard you laugh
So who is rich and who is poor?
I cannot say...oh
You are your mother's only son
And you're a desperate one
Oh...
But I don't want a lover
I just want to be seen...oh...in the back of your car
A friendship sadly lost?
Well this is true...and yet, it's false
Oh...
But did I ever tell you, by the way?
I never did like your face
But you've got everything now
You've got everything now
And what a terrible mess I've made of my life
Oh, what a mess I've made of my life
No, I've never had a job
Because I'm too shy
I've seen you smile
But I've never really heard you laugh
So who is rich and who is poor ?
I cannot say...oh
Oh...
You are your mother's only son
And you're a desperate one
Oh...
But I don't want a lover
I just want to be tied... oh...to the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
Oh...
@__Patrick
RIP Andy Rourke. A very under appreciated member of one of the most iconic bands of the 80s. The band wouldn’t be the same without him.
@smugcat723
I immediately thought of this song when I heard the news. The bass line is so good, I was just humming it the other day.
@leahwhite5910
He was never "under appreciated," don't worry about that.
@frafilipo9829
He absolutely nailed the bass line here, so memorable
@mattkramer6061
"No I've never had a job because I'm too shy" is one of the funniest lines in the history of music.
@Assortment54321
But I don't want a lover I just want to be seen.
That hits hard.
@drivernephi5587
He wants to be seen in the back of your car
@franciswalsh8416
In the back of your car
@MyPetGargoyle_
Sending love and positive vibes out to those who deal with debilitating anxiety at times. The Smiths' music is my comfort.
@bernardmorris2922
Music is therapy.