The Smiths

[helldanger1]

Meat Is Murder
The Smiths

Heifer whines could be human cries
Closer comes the screaming knife
This beautiful creature must die
This beautiful creature must die
A death for no reason
And death for no reason is murder
And the flesh you so fancifully fry
Is not succulent, tasty or kind
It's death for no reason
And death for no reason is murder
And the calf that you carve with a smile
Is murder
And the turkey you festively slice
Is murder
Do you know how animals die ?

Kitchen aromas aren't very homely
It's not "comforting", cheery or kind
It's sizzling blood and the unholy stench
Of murder
It's not "natural", "normal" or kind
The flesh you so fancifully fry
The meat in your mouth
As you savour the flavour
Of murder
No, no, no, it's murder
No, no, no, it's murder
Oh... and who hears when animals cry ?

 

[helldanger1]

Miserable Lie
The Smiths

So, goodbye
Please stay with your own kind
And I'll stay with mine
There's something against us
It's not time
It's not time
So, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

I know I need hardly say
How much I love your casual way
Oh, but please put your tongue away
A little higher and we're well away
The dark nights are drawing in
And your humor is as black as them
I look at yours, you laugh at mine
And "love" is just a miserable lie
You have destroyed my flower-like life
Not once - twice
You have corrupt my innocent mind
Not once - twice
I know the wind-swept mystical air
It means: I'd like to see your underwear
I recognize that mystical air
It means : I'd like to seize your underwear
What do we get for our trouble and pain ?
Just a rented room in Whalley Range
What do we get for our trouble and pain ?
... Whalley Range !
Into the depths of the criminal world
I followed her ...

I need advice, I need advice
I need advice, I need advice
Nobody ever looks at me twice
Nobody ever looks at me twice

I'm just a country-mile behind
The world
I'm just a country-mile behind
The whole world
Oh oh, oh ...
I'm just a country-mile behind
The world
I'm just a country-mile behind
The whole world
Oh oh, oh ...

So take me when you go
Oh oh, oh...
Take me when you go
Oh oh, oh ...
I need advice, I need advice

 

[helldanger1]

Never Had No One Ever
The Smiths

When you walk without ease
On these streets where you were raised
I had a really bad dream
It lasted 20 years, 7 months, and 27 days
(I'm alone and I never)
Never had no one ever

Now I'm outside your house
I'm alone
And I'm outside your house
I'd hate to intrude
I'm alone, I'm alone
I'm alone, I'm alone
I'm alone, I'm alone
And I never, never, had no one ever
I never had no one ever
I never had no
No one ever
Had no one ever
Never, never...

 

[helldanger1]

Nowhere Fast
The Smiths

I'd like to drop my trousers to the world
I am a man of means (of slender means)
Each household appliance
Is like a new science in my town
And if the day came when I felt a
Natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump
In the ocean
And when a train goes by
It's such a sad sound
It's such a sad thing

I'd like to drop my trousers to the Queen
Every sensible child will know what this means
The poor and the needy
Are selfish and greedy on her terms
And if the day came when I felt a
Natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump
In the ocean
And when a train goes by
It's such a sad sound
It's such a sad thing

And when I'm lying in my bed
I think about life
And I think about death
And neither one particularly appeals to me
And if the day came when I felt a
Natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably lie
In the middle of the street and die
I'd lie down and die
Oh, oh

 

[helldanger1]

Paint a Vulgar Picture
The Smiths

At the record company meeting
On their hands - a dead star
And oh, the plans they weave
And oh, the sickening greed

At the record company party
On their hands - a dead star
The sycophantic slags all say:
"I knew him first, and I knew him well"
Re-issue! Re-package! Re-package!
Re-evaluate the songs
Double-pack with a photograph
Extra Track (and a tacky badge)

A-list, playlist
"Please them, please them!"
"Please them!"
(sadly, THIS was your life)
But you could have said no
If you'd wanted to
You could have said no
If you'd wanted to

BPI, MTV, BBC
"Please them ! Please them!"
(sadly this was your life)
But you could have said no
If you'd wanted to
You could have walked away
...Couldn't you?

I touched you at the soundcheck
You had no real way of knowing
In my heart I begged
"Take me with you...
I don't care where you're going..."
But to you I was faceless
I was fawning, I was boring
Just a child from those ugly new houses
Who could never begin to know
Who could never really know
Oh...

Best of! Most of!
Satiate the need
Slip them into different sleeves!
Buy both, and feel deceived
Climber - new entry, re-entry

World tour! ("media whore")
"Please the Press in Belgium!"
(THIS was your life...)
And when it fails to recoup?
Well, maybe:
You just haven't earned it yet, baby

I walked a pace behind you at the soundcheck
You're just the same as I am
What makes most people feel happy
Leads us headlong into harm

So, in my bedroom
in those 'ugly new houses'
I danced my legs down to the knees
But me and my 'true love'
Will never meet again...

At the record company meeting
On their hands - at last! - a dead star!
But they can never taint you in my eyes
No, they can never touch you now
No, they cannot hurt you, my darling
They cannot touch you now
But me and my 'true love'
Will never meet again

 

[helldanger1]

Panic
The Smiths

Panic on the streets of London
Panic on the streets of Birmingham
I wonder to myself
Could life ever be sane again
On the Leeds side-streets that you slip down
I wonder to myself
Hopes may rise on the Grasmeres
But honey pie, you're not safe here
So you run down
To the safety of the town
But there's panic on the streets of Carlisle
Dublin, Dundee, Humberside
I wonder to myself

Burn down the disco
Hang the blessed d.j.
Because the music that they constantly play
It says nothing to me about my life
Hang the blessed d.j.
Because the music they constantly play

On the Leeds side-streets that you slip down
On the provincial towns that you jog'round
Hang the d.j., hang the d.j., hang the d.j.
Hang the d.j., hang the d.j., hang the d.j.
Hang the d.j., hang the d.j., hang the d.j.
Hang the d.j., hang the d.j.
Hang the d.j., hang the d.j.

 

[helldanger1]

You've Got Everything Now
The Smiths

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
You are your mother's only son
And you're a desperate one
But I don't want a lover
I just want to be seen
In the back of your car

A friendship sadly lost?
Well this is true and yet, it's false
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
You are your mother's only son
And you're a desperate one
But I don't want a lover
I just want to be tied
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car

 

[helldanger1]

You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby
The Smiths

If you're wondering why
All the love that you long for
Eludes you
And people are rude and cruel to you
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why

You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You just haven't earned it, son
You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You must suffer and cry for a longer time
You just haven't earned it yet, baby
And I'm telling you now

If you're wondering why
When all I wanted from life
Was to be Famous
I have tried for so long
It's all gone wrong
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
But you wouldn't believe me

You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You just haven't earned it, son
You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You must suffer and cry for a longer time
You just haven't earned it yet, Baby
And I'm telling you now

I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
Today I am remembering the time
When they pulled me back
And held me down
And looked me in the eyes and said
You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You just haven't earned it, my son
You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You must stay on your own for slightly longer
You just haven't earned it yet baby
And I'm telling you now

 

[helldanger1]

Work Is a Four-letter Word
The Smiths

Loving you is driving me crazy
People say that you were born lazy
'Cause you say that
Work is A four-fetter word

So change your life
There is so much I know
That 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
May help to remind you
To forget that
Work is A four-fetter 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-fetter 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

 

[helldanger1]

Wonderful Woman
The Smiths

Here her head, she lay
Until she'd rise and say:
"I'm starved of mirth;
Let's go and trip a dwarf"

Oh, what to be done with her?
Oh, what to be done with her?
Oh...

Ice water for blood
With neither heart or spine
And then just
To pass time
"Let's go and rob the blind"

What to be done with her?
I ask myself
What to be said of her?
Oh...

But when she calls me
I do not walk, I run
Oh, when she calls
I do not walk, I run
Oh...

 

[helldanger1]

William, It Was Really Nothing
The Smiths

The rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This town has dragged you down
Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This town has dragged you down

And everybody's got to live their life
And God knows I've got to live mine
God knows I've got to live mine

William, William it was really nothing
William, William it was really nothing
(It was your life)

How can you stay with a fat girl
Who'll say:
"Would you like to marry me?
And if you like you can buy the ring"
She doesn't care about anything

Would you like to marry me?
And if you like you can buy the ring
I don't dream about anyone
(except myself)

William, William it was really nothing
William, William

 

[helldanger1]

What's The World?
The Smiths

What would you sell ?
Loose glasses and suit
Heart and soul
Won't wear out

That's not enough !
I wonder what's inside
Fish fillet knife
Can cut
Right through my eye ...

I'm looking for some words
To call my own
Worn-out phrases
And a hand-me-down

They'll knock me
Under where I stand
Sad on his back
In a corned beef pan

Going under
You can feel them pulling me down
To the rust inside ...

This is the way ...
Franken-star is born

Bits and pieces
Others have worn
All held together by a management glue
Too much glue
Watch the stars turn blue
Turn blue
Turn blue
Turn blue
Turn blue

I'm going under
You can feel them pulling me down
To the halls of rust
Eeh ...

I, I, I

 

[helldanger1]

What She Said
The Smiths

What she said:
"How come someone hasn't noticed
That I'm dead
And decided to bury me?
God knows, I'm ready!"
What she said was sad
But then, all the rejection she's had
To pretend to be happy
Could only be idiocy
What she said was not for the job or
Lover that she never had

What she read
All heady books
She'd sit and prophesize
(It took a tattooed boy from Birkenhead
To really really open her eyes)
What she read
All heady books
She'd sit and prophesize
(It took a tattooed boy from Birkenhead
To really really open her eyes)
What she said:
"I smoke 'cos I'm hoping for an
Early death
And I need to cling to something!"
What she said:
"I smoke 'cos I'm hoping for an
Early death
And I need to cling to something!"

 

[helldanger1]

What Difference Does It Make?
The Smiths

All men have secrets and here is mine
So let it be known
For we have been through hell and high tide
I think I can rely on you
And yet you start to recoil
Heavy words are so lightly thrown
But still I'd leap in front of
A flying bullet for you

So, what difference does it make ?
So, what difference does it make ?
It makes none
But now you have gone
And you must be looking
Very old tonight

The devil will find work
For idle hands to do
I stole and I lied, and why ?
Because you asked me to!
But now you make me feel so ashamed
Because I've only got two hands
Well, I'm still fond of you

So, what difference does it make ?
Oh, what difference does it make ?
Oh, it makes none
But now you have gone
And your prejudice
Won't keep you warm tonight

Oh, the devil will find work
For idle hands to do
I stole, and then I lied
Just because you asked me to
But now you know the truth about me
You won't see me anymore
Well, I'm still fond of you

But no more apologies
No more apologies
Oh, I'm too tired
I'm so sick and tired
And I'm feeling very sick and ill today
But I'm still fond of you

Oh, my sacred one
Oh ...

 

[helldanger1]

Well I Wonder
The Smiths

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

Well I wonder
Well I wonder
Please keep me in mind
Oh, keep me in mind
Keep me in mind

 

[helldanger1]

Vicar In A Tutu
The Smiths

I was minding my business
Lifting some lead off
The roof of the Holy Name church
It was worthwhile living a laughable life
To set my eyes on the blistering sight
Of a vicar in a tutu
He's not strange
He just wants to live his life this way

A scanty bit of a thing
With a decorative ring
That wouldn't cover the head of a goose
As Rose collects the money in a cannister
Who comes sliding down the bannister ?
The vicar in a tutu
He's not strange
He just wants to live his life this way

The monkish monsignor
With a head full of plaster
Said : "My man, get your vile soul dry-cleaned"
As Rose counts the money in the cannister
As natural as Rain
He dances again
My god !
The vicar in a tutu
Oh yeah
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh ...
The vicar in a tutu
Oh yeah

The next day in the pulpit
With Freedom and Ease
Combatting ignorance, dust, and disease
As Rose counts the money in the cannister
As natural as Rain
He dances again and again and again
In the fabric of a tutu
Any man could get used to
And I am the living sign
And I'm a living sign
I am a living sign
I'm a living sign
I am a living sign
I'm a living sign
Sign ...
I am a living sign

 

[helldanger1]

Unloveable
The Smiths

I know I'm unloveable
You don't have to tell me
I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours
I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours

I know I'm unloveable
You don't have to tell me
Message received
Loud and clear
Loud and clear

I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours

I know I'm unloveable
You don't have to tell me
For, Message received
Loud and clear
Loud and clear
Message received

I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours

I wear Black on the outside
Because Black is how I feel on the inside
I wear Black on the outside
Because Black is how I feel on the inside

And if I seem a little strange
Well, that's because I am
And If I seem a little strange
Well That's because I am

But I know that you would like me
If only you could see me
If only you could meet me

I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours
I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours

 

[helldanger1]

Unhappy Birthday
The Smiths

I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
'Cause you're evil
And you lie
And if you should die
I may feel slightly sad
(But I won't cry)

Loved and lost
And some may say
When usually it's Nothing
Surely you're happy
It should be this way ?
I say "No, I'm gonna kill my dog"
And : "May the lines sag
the lines sag heavy and deep tonight"

I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
'Cause you're evil
And you lie
And if you should die
I may feel slightly sad
(But I won't cry)

Loved and lost
And some may say
When usually it's Nothing
Surely you're happy
It should be this way ?
I said "No"
And then I shot myself
So, drink, drink, drink
And be ill tonight

From the one you left behind
From the one you left behind
From the one you left behind
From the one you left behind
Behind
Behind
Behind

Oh, unhappy birthday

 

[helldanger1]

This Night Has Opened My Eyes
The Smiths

In a river the color of lead
Immerse the baby's head
Wrap her up in the News Of The World
Dump her on a doorstep, girl
This night has opened my eyes
And I will never sleep again

You kicked and cried like a bullied child
A grown man of twenty-five
Oh, he said he'd cure your ills
But he didn't and he never will
Oh, save your life
Because you've only got one

The dream has gone
But the baby is real
Oh, you did a good thing
She could have been a poet
Or she could have been a fool
Oh, you did a bad thing
And I'm not happy
And I'm not sad

A shoeless child on a swing
Reminds you of your own again
She took away your troubles
Oh, but then again
She left pain
So, please save your life
Because you've only got one

The dream has gone
But the baby is real
Oh, you did a good thing
She could have been a poet
Or she could have been a fool
Oh, you did a bad thing
And I'm not happy
And I'm not sad
Oh ...
And I'm not happy
And I'm not sad

 

[helldanger1]

This Charming Man
The Smiths

Punctured bicycle
On a hillside desolate
Will nature make a man of me yet ?
When in this charming car
This charming man

Why pamper life's complexities
When the leather runs smooth
On the passenger seat ?

I would go out tonight
But I haven't got a stitch to wear
This man said "it's gruesome
That someone so handsome should care"

A jumped-up pantry boy
Who never knew his place
He said "return the rings"
He knows so much about these things
He knows so much about these things

I would go out tonight
But I haven't got a stitch to wear
This man said "it's gruesome
That someone so handsome should care"
Oh, this charming man
Oh, this charming man

A jumped-up pantry boy
Who never knew his place
He said "return the ring"
He knows so much about these things
He knows so much about these things
He knows so much about these things