| The Smiths – These Things Take Time Lyrics | 11 years ago |
|
I enjoy reading people's different interpretations of music, but I have never posted before. However, for this particular circumstance, I had to make an account. There are some very analytic and deep interpretations here, but I believe the meaning of this song is very straight forward -- It is about having an affair with another man who is not out of the closet. Another poster astutely quoted Howe's Battle Hymn, "Thine eyes have seen the glory", which strongly references Revelations. I believe this was chosen for a few reasons. First off, it may reference the other party's strong religious beliefs in regards to their feeling towards homosexual relationships. In addition, it is classic Moz hyperbole/sarcasm towards the other individual's attitude towards the situation. He pairs this with the phrase "Sacred Wunderkind" which certainly resonates with mockery and sarcasm to me. "You took me behind a disused railway line" Do I really need to spell out the double entendre here? ;) I think his inflection on "be-hind" really makes this apparent. Vulgar and absolutely brilliant. "I know a place we can go, where we are not known" The other guy is full of shame and guilt, wants to go someplace where he is not recognized. "..and you gave me something that I won't forget too soon" He's not talking about flowers folks. "But I can't believe that you'd ever care And this is why you will never care" I don't know if there are official written lyrics from The Smith, but I've always struggled with whether the last word of the second line is 'care" or "dare". Either way, I believe this refers to the grief engendered by being interested in another person who doesn't appropriately return the affection he feels and that also treats you like a dirty secret. "These things take time I know that I'm The most inept that ever *slept*" I'm fairly certain the last work of this verse is "Slept" and not "Stepped". Anyhow, it speaks of how coming to terms with oneself is a long and painful process and he isn't one to judge because of his own struggles with it. "I'm spellbound, but a woman divides And the hills are alive with celibate cries" Amazing verse! This would either be a reference to the other man's wife or girlfriend, if not, then his interest in women in general The second line could either reference his lack of sexual contact because of other man spending time with wife/girlfriend or it could be referring to the other woman having a lack of sex due to her husband/boyfriend's secret interest in other men. Perhaps both. "But you know where you came from You know where you're going And you know where you belong Stating that the other man already has a life established as a heterosexual,either having, or wanting, a wife and a traditional family -- Something status quo and normal...an issue most gay men deal with. "You said I was ill, and you were not wrong"" 'ill' meaning that there is something wrong with you mentally. Americans wouldn't normally use this word in this context -- something more akin to "sick in the head" or 'mentally disturbed'. Referring to his (Morrissey's) behavior towards him and perhaps his inclinations as well. "Oh the alcoholic afternoons When we sat in your room They meant more to me than any Than any living thing on earth They had more worth Than any living thing on earth" As someone who has lived through many of these kind of situations and also knows many people who have experienced the same, it's very common to turn to alcohol to deal with these issues. You know you want something (or someone), but for whatever reason, you are brought up to believe that it is bad or unnatural. Those "drunken afternoons" are something that resonate with many young gay people (at least in my generation and before). "Vivid and in your prime You will leave me behind You will leave me behind" That really needs no interpretation. He knows this man will move on with the path he has chosen, leaving him alone. Probably my favorite verse from The Smiths right there. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.