Written by David Gedge
Recorded February 1986 for a BBC John Peel Sessio… Read Full Bio ↴Written by David Gedge
Recorded February 1986 for a BBC John Peel Session

Notes The working title for the song was 'The Day That This Letter Came' which David Gedge was never happy with. Therefore shortly before they recorded the Peel Session, bassist Keith Gregory suggested the alternative title 'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?'. To avoid confusion with the Jimmy Ruffin song of the same name, it was retitled It's What You Want That Matters when the band recorded it properly the following year for their debut album George Best.

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?
The Wedding Present Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

And this is for you
You must know it's for you
What else can I think about?

I knocked on your door
Until my fingers were sore
Although I'd guessed you were out

And what do I need?
Is it hunger or greed
That has brought me here?

And what will I find?
Aren't we two of a kind?
Oh I take back everything
I didn't mean a thing

And when you pull the strings I don't think you feel a thing

Don't forget what I say
We can be back in one day
We can borrow your mother's car

Don't sing me that song
I've been here for too long
Oh you couldn't have looked that far
Did you look very far?

I seem to recall
You said nothing at all
The day that this letter came

It must have been sent
By the friend of a friend
Oh now I forget his name
I'm really not to blame!

And when you pull the strings I don't think you feel a thing

Oh do you feel a thing?
And when you pull the strings I don't think you feel a thing

Overall Meaning

The Wedding Present's "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?" is a song riddled with heartache and longing for someone who is not there anymore. The lyrics depict a person who is hopelessly in love and knocking on the door of the person they adore. They question their own motivations for being there and wonder if they are driven by hunger or greed, but ultimately, their love overpowers any logical thoughts or reasoning. The chorus describes the futility of their efforts, recognizing that no matter how much they pull on the strings, the other person does not feel a thing.

The bridge of the song speaks to a potential reconciliation, suggesting they can be back in one day and borrow their mother's car. However, it is met with a cold response, as the other person sings a song about the singer's prolonged stay. The final verse speaks to a letter that was sent, but the singer can't remember who sent it. They declare that they are not to blame, ultimately conveying a sense of desperation and longing that is at the core of the song's lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

And this is for you
I dedicate this to you

You must know it's for you
You should realize it's meant for you

What else can I think about?
What else could be on my mind?

I knocked on your door
I tried to see you in person

Until my fingers were sore
Repeatedly and with great effort

Although I'd guessed you were out
Even though I assumed you weren't home

And what do I need?
What is it that I desire?

Is it hunger or greed
Is it necessity or ambition?

That has brought me here?
The reason for my being present

And what will I find?
What awaits me?

Aren't we two of a kind?
Don't we share similarities?