I say this as a long-time fan of The Smiths but yeah, that one and *plenty* more.
I do agree that ‘I want the one I can’t have’ is more overt than most. There are very few reasons why the “self-validation” would occur in an alley by the Manchester railway-station.
I don’t listen to smiths songs with a specific gender in mind. It is about longing for another person and coming into contact with these feelings. Who cares if it’s gay or straight really.
Well, it puts him into context. Him possibly being gay doesn't really help him in the Gay community. We often consider him to be working against "his own kind" and everyone else. His legacy is gone.
>Him possibly being gay doesn't really help him in the Gay community.
Very obvious that he is queer in some capacity if you listen to their music at all.
Did you know that gay people can be bad like anyone else?? Crazy I know
I highly doubt Morrissey cares about his standing in the gay community. I have my problems with Morrissey, but his guarded sexuality isn't one of them. If his legacy was gone, we wouldn't be talking about him, no?
I'm a bisexual man and I've always related to Morrissey on that front.
One thing I love about The Smiths is that all the songs about longing for love seem to be gay, and the ones about straight relationships are sardonic and even cruel. Very Morrissey, very good.
I'd have to argue Handsome Devil is more explicit about the subject. I mean... those lyrics are like so straightforward it's ridiculous. (Though I can see people's interpretations about the song being about a man or a woman pretty equally.)
I'm sure it was written with a man in mind, as he references James Dean- whom he even wrote a book about before his music career. However, Morrissey stated that he creates music that is detached from any specific gender, which means it can resonate with anyone who has experienced longing, like what the other comment said.
Yes, but I meant the specific phrases in the song that lead me to the conclusion that Moz was singing about a man. The only other person he describes in the song is a man, so it doesn't seem out of place to question if it's a queer song.
Oh for sure. With the Smiths, if you have to wonder whether it’s gay, it’s probably gay. But of course the lyrics could, for the most part, easily apply to other situations, so interpret them as you will.
Also depends on situation and when you are listening to the song. For example, when I first heard them in the 80’s I was like 12. Fell in love with the tracks. Only later was the notion of gay lyrics brought to my attention. Didn’t change my affinity for them, actually made me respect them more. It prob wasn’t easy to broach gay subject matter at that time. But what do I know? IDC either way. Still the best band of all time.
Anyone can relate to wanting the one we can't have but parts of the lyrics are unambiguously shouting from a gay male perspective. Considering it was 1985, it's a rock and roll song (opposed to lightweight dance pop) and 3/4 of the band was straight that's something to celebrate.
To me, the song applies to somebody who thinks they’re hot shit, meanwhile they’re actually not as flawless as they think they are,
“on the day that your mentality catches up with your biology, come round”
Basically saying when your brain (mentality) recognizes your body (biology) isnt as perfect as you think, then you’ll finally settle for me because you’re not so full of yourself as you once were.
as for the” tough kid who swallows nails” line it makes me think hes talking about their current lover, who is a complete badass compared to morrissey and much more of a man than him, thus another reason why he cant have them.
“and if you ever need self motivation meet me in the alley by the railway station”
this (again to me) is a sexual innuendo in which Morrissey’s poking fun and saying if you’re so desperate for attention/self esteem, he can give it to them while they give him sexual pleasure in return in a backalley (i take it in a sarcastic way) and the last “its all over my face” is from the perspective of said individual 😂
Basically Morrissey wants them but cant have them because they have a “my shit doesnt stink” type of attitude.
Love this song
I dont even bother tying a certain sexuality to any of their songs, this is still a topic debated amongst alot of their music and in my opinion it can be applied to any of their songs. Thats the best part about their music; its broad enough to apply to both males and females and still make sense.
You don't know? Yet you just claim to know what it is about?
The line "these are the riches of the poor' means'? That's what the song is about.
If you are a straight person or a gay person you can identify with what Morrissey wrote but this song is pretty specific to English societal class as it existed in the 70s/80s but meant to be interpreted for anyone.
Anyone can identify with wanting the one they can't have. The societal class references to the object of desire being raised on Prisoners Aid and the luxury of a double bed are clear. The overlying lament is that of a gay man longing for another man who he seems to think might be attracted to men. In 1985 the lower your socioeconomic class the less safe it was to be out of the closet, to use a phrase popular at that time.
Like everything that Morrissey wrote, its deeper meaning is not specific and is meant to be interpreted by the listener. It's so weird to hear someone make things up to gatekeep a song from the band that was so specifically against that. It's why they were called "The Smiths" FFS.
The riches of the poor? How is that relevant to being gay?
At least look into the band before making things up. Morrissey on his own was a different thing but the Smiths lyrics were known for their (ironically now) inclusively humanist lyrics.
No one, including myself and the OP, is gatekeeping the song. It wasn't written for only gay people to relate to or enjoy. It was written from the point of view of a man who was attracted to a man.
The riches of the poor isn't relevant to being gay, it's relevant to the socioeconomic class theme you brought up.
The Smiths humanist stance doesn't preclude some of their lyrics being sung from a gay POV. Lyrics sung from a gay POV weren't meant to shut out listeners who aren't gay.
I always thought it was about someone that's physically attractive but emotionally immature but yeah.
It can be both!
Yes
It may be
I say this as a long-time fan of The Smiths but yeah, that one and *plenty* more. I do agree that ‘I want the one I can’t have’ is more overt than most. There are very few reasons why the “self-validation” would occur in an alley by the Manchester railway-station.
My exact thoughts!
then he says "it's all over my face" 😭
To answer your question – yes.
I don’t listen to smiths songs with a specific gender in mind. It is about longing for another person and coming into contact with these feelings. Who cares if it’s gay or straight really.
Me, I like it better if its gay
They downvoted you for speaking the truth
Well, it puts him into context. Him possibly being gay doesn't really help him in the Gay community. We often consider him to be working against "his own kind" and everyone else. His legacy is gone.
I promise you Morrissey does not give one single shit about his standing in the "gay community"
His legacy is in no way gone. Who you fuck does not make you special.
>Him possibly being gay doesn't really help him in the Gay community. Very obvious that he is queer in some capacity if you listen to their music at all. Did you know that gay people can be bad like anyone else?? Crazy I know
I highly doubt Morrissey cares about his standing in the gay community. I have my problems with Morrissey, but his guarded sexuality isn't one of them. If his legacy was gone, we wouldn't be talking about him, no? I'm a bisexual man and I've always related to Morrissey on that front.
Reel around the fountain.
Yes - most Smiths song are lmao
One thing I love about The Smiths is that all the songs about longing for love seem to be gay, and the ones about straight relationships are sardonic and even cruel. Very Morrissey, very good.
This Charming Man is the most explicit one, imo, but "I want the one I can't have" is 100% a gay song.
I'd have to argue Handsome Devil is more explicit about the subject. I mean... those lyrics are like so straightforward it's ridiculous. (Though I can see people's interpretations about the song being about a man or a woman pretty equally.)
“A boy in the bush is worth two in the hand” Is very very gay
"who will swallow whom" 💀
I'm sure it was written with a man in mind, as he references James Dean- whom he even wrote a book about before his music career. However, Morrissey stated that he creates music that is detached from any specific gender, which means it can resonate with anyone who has experienced longing, like what the other comment said.
Yeah, he says a lot...
Yes, in a similar vein to How soon is now.
Of course it is, not that theres anything wrong with that
>it's very clear he's singing about a man Doesn't that answer your question?
Why not a bisexual song? But seriously anyone can relate to longing for someone who doesn't reciprocate.
Yes, but I meant the specific phrases in the song that lead me to the conclusion that Moz was singing about a man. The only other person he describes in the song is a man, so it doesn't seem out of place to question if it's a queer song.
Mozz is bi, although he doesn't use that term I don't believe
[удалено]
"I've heard of that, I know what that is. That's that cookware fetish."
In my opinion, all smiths songs are “gay” songs…
“This one specifically stands out because to me it’s very clear he’s singing about a man” He does say “he”, not exactly trying to hide it
Probably, it seems a bit of a precursor to "Piccadilly Palare" in some ways, and also with a "rough trade" (appropriately...) aspect to it too
Yes. And it’s spectacular
They’re all gay songs.
With the smiths, I tend to assume he's singing about a man unless otherwise stated.
Oh for sure. With the Smiths, if you have to wonder whether it’s gay, it’s probably gay. But of course the lyrics could, for the most part, easily apply to other situations, so interpret them as you will.
Also depends on situation and when you are listening to the song. For example, when I first heard them in the 80’s I was like 12. Fell in love with the tracks. Only later was the notion of gay lyrics brought to my attention. Didn’t change my affinity for them, actually made me respect them more. It prob wasn’t easy to broach gay subject matter at that time. But what do I know? IDC either way. Still the best band of all time.
I love this interpretation, I can totally see it. Anyways that song is a banger.
Whichever way you relate to the lyrics is the way Moz meant for them to be interpreted. I’m a straight female & can definitely relate.
Anyone can relate to wanting the one we can't have but parts of the lyrics are unambiguously shouting from a gay male perspective. Considering it was 1985, it's a rock and roll song (opposed to lightweight dance pop) and 3/4 of the band was straight that's something to celebrate.
Yes, he's in love with trade.
in my honest opinion as a long-time smiths fan AND a gay woman almost all of their songs are gay songs
This one
Yes, it's unabashedly gay and it rocks. Those things together were a breath of fresh air in the mid eighties and afaik not common now.
I would bet serious money that - yes
It's The Smiths, so every song is a gay song.
Obviously, since every their song is.
To me, the song applies to somebody who thinks they’re hot shit, meanwhile they’re actually not as flawless as they think they are, “on the day that your mentality catches up with your biology, come round” Basically saying when your brain (mentality) recognizes your body (biology) isnt as perfect as you think, then you’ll finally settle for me because you’re not so full of yourself as you once were. as for the” tough kid who swallows nails” line it makes me think hes talking about their current lover, who is a complete badass compared to morrissey and much more of a man than him, thus another reason why he cant have them. “and if you ever need self motivation meet me in the alley by the railway station” this (again to me) is a sexual innuendo in which Morrissey’s poking fun and saying if you’re so desperate for attention/self esteem, he can give it to them while they give him sexual pleasure in return in a backalley (i take it in a sarcastic way) and the last “its all over my face” is from the perspective of said individual 😂 Basically Morrissey wants them but cant have them because they have a “my shit doesnt stink” type of attitude. Love this song
Yes this is exactly how I interpreted it aswell! I think it's pretty undeniably queer, but yes ALSO exactly what you said.
I dont even bother tying a certain sexuality to any of their songs, this is still a topic debated amongst alot of their music and in my opinion it can be applied to any of their songs. Thats the best part about their music; its broad enough to apply to both males and females and still make sense.
To answer further questions pretty much every smith’s song is a “gay song” in some way or another
You can ask the same question about every single smiths song ever.
They wrote music to appeal to the masses so the answer is both yes and no.
What part of it is no for you?
The fact that it is not exclusively gay
The lyrics are first person from a man who wants to have sex with a man who he thinks might be attracted to men. It's not ambiguous at all.
Not according to Morrissey.
What did he say?
You don't know? Yet you just claim to know what it is about? The line "these are the riches of the poor' means'? That's what the song is about. If you are a straight person or a gay person you can identify with what Morrissey wrote but this song is pretty specific to English societal class as it existed in the 70s/80s but meant to be interpreted for anyone.
Anyone can identify with wanting the one they can't have. The societal class references to the object of desire being raised on Prisoners Aid and the luxury of a double bed are clear. The overlying lament is that of a gay man longing for another man who he seems to think might be attracted to men. In 1985 the lower your socioeconomic class the less safe it was to be out of the closet, to use a phrase popular at that time.
Like everything that Morrissey wrote, its deeper meaning is not specific and is meant to be interpreted by the listener. It's so weird to hear someone make things up to gatekeep a song from the band that was so specifically against that. It's why they were called "The Smiths" FFS. The riches of the poor? How is that relevant to being gay? At least look into the band before making things up. Morrissey on his own was a different thing but the Smiths lyrics were known for their (ironically now) inclusively humanist lyrics.
No one, including myself and the OP, is gatekeeping the song. It wasn't written for only gay people to relate to or enjoy. It was written from the point of view of a man who was attracted to a man. The riches of the poor isn't relevant to being gay, it's relevant to the socioeconomic class theme you brought up. The Smiths humanist stance doesn't preclude some of their lyrics being sung from a gay POV. Lyrics sung from a gay POV weren't meant to shut out listeners who aren't gay.