I am angry, I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin
I don't know what keeps me alive and kicking
I know the meaning of life it doesn't help me a bit
I know beauty and I know a good thing when I speak it

This is a song from under the floorboards
Here is a song from where the wall is cracked
My force of habit?
I am an insect
And I must confess I'm very proud of that

I have known the highest and I've known the best
I accord death all of its due respect
But the brightest jewel inside of me
Glows with pleasure at my own stupidity

This is a song from under the floorboards
Here is a song from where the wall is cracked
My force of habit?
I am an insect
And I must confess I'm very proud of that

I used to make phantoms I could later chase
Images of all that could be desired
Then I got tired of counting all of these so called blessings
And then I just got tired

This is a song from under the floorboards
Here is a song from where the wall is cracked
My force of habit?
I am an insect
And I must confess I'm very proud of that
This is a song from under the floorboards
Here is a song from where the wall is cracked
My force of habit?
I am an insect
And I must confess I'm very proud of that
Habit, habit, habit
Habit, habit


Lyrics submitted by Shades

A Song from Under the Floorboards Lyrics as written by Howard Devoto Barry Adamson

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

A Song From Under The Floorboards song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

5 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is a Magazine cover. There are a few lyric changes, for example "I'm very proud of that" was originally "I'm proud as hell of that fact" and Devoto sings "my irritability keeps me alive and kicking".

    Shadeson June 05, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's about Notes From Undergorund by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Wonder if Moz knows that. Probably

    Yer_Maon July 31, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Apparently HD wrote it in Manchester, whilst living in a real s**t hole with insects under the floorboards... When Moz snag it at the Apollo he told his home audience that it was about 'Newton Street'(???) and they all cheered, so maybe the houses down there haven't changed that much...

    At first I was a bit put out that Moz changed some of HD's lyrics... But then I thought how with him, even his own songs aren't sacred, so I guess it's just second nature to him to amend lyrics until they fit him!

    LadyStardust74on September 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The changes don't alter the meaning much. Then again, the irritability is quite important in NFU, so yeah, wtf Morrissey

    artsluton August 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I sure we can all agree that Moz reads alot.
    Throughout his lyrics, he has constantly dropped sublte references & sometimes blatant knowledge of some great books he's read. I am however, going to politely disagree with "Yer Ma". I will agree about the use of the word "underground" in both the book and song title. I'm sorry, but I have read "Notes From the Underground"(I am an avid Dostoevsky reader)& find no more obvious similarities. I found the lyrics above (especially when Moz mentions being an insect) more akin to Kafka's "Metamorphosis". When Kafka wrote the story, it was rumored that he was gay. Back then buggery was a crime, and when he wrote "Metamorphosis", turning into an insect and being ostrasized by his family, was a metaphor. The metaphor is obvious. He most likely was writing about the horrible abuse, dishonor, often confinement in prison, & isolation many Gays (Like O. Wilde) endured. Now, back to Mr. Morrissey. His affirmation, and joyous proclamation of being proud of his insect self is something Franz Kafka didn't really do. That theory aside, the lyrics are much more than just a pplay on words/writers. I think the song is about growth/acceptance/rebellion, after enduring self-loathing for being born gay, uh, I mean an insect. I think Morrissey is chanting, "I'm Queer, I'm I'm Here, I'm Proud...Get used to it!"

    frankenchristieon January 21, 2010   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.