S.Y.M.M.

Manic Street Preachers

The subtext of this song
I've thought about it for so long
But it's really not the sort of thing
That people want to hear us sing

The context of this song
Well I could go on and on
But it's still unfashionable
To believe in principles

South South Yorkshire, mass murderer
How can you sleep at night, sleep at night?
South South Yorkshire, mass murderer
How can you sleep at night, sleep at night?

The reason for this song
Well it may be a pointless one
But thank you Jimmy McGovern
For reminding me of what lives on

The ending for this song
Well I haven't really thought of one
There's nothing I could ever say
That could really take the pain away

South South Yorkshire, mass murderer
How can you sleep at night, sleep at night?
South South Yorkshire, mass murderer
How can you sleep at night, sleep at night?


Lyrics submitted by OrangeSnowPuff

S.Y.M.M. Lyrics as written by Nicholas Jones James Bradfield

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

S.Y.M.M. song meanings
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14 Comments

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  • 0
    General CommentThis song is about the Hillsborough disaster in which many football fans lost their lives. This song blames the disaster on the South Yorkshire police force who were blamed for letting to many Liverpool fans into a section of the stadium. This lead to a crush in which many lost their lives.
    RedArmyon June 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is one of the most painful tracks put on an album for me... both a Manics and a Liverpool fc fan. When I bought the album I didn't realise what this one was about. When I go to Anfield and Hillsborough these days I never forget the 96. Never forget the 96.
    Poolman99on December 11, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Commentdoes anyone else notice how the drumbeats sound a little like dogs barking?
    pumkinhedon January 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentwhat does s.y.m.m. stand for. maybe south yorkshire mass murder?
    pumkinhedon November 07, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentYes, South Yorkshire Mass Murderers = South Yorkshire police, who still got blood on their hands after 96 football fans died due to outrageous policing at Hillsborough April 15th 1989. The families to the ones who died never had a fair trial and no police officers are convicted, though evidence show they were to blame.
    Spiffon December 19, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentYou fucking tosser, Kemp. You obviously don't have a clue about how serious a situation this was. What team do you support? You wouldn't be saying the same thing if it was your teams supporters who died. I'm betting you're a Man U fan or a relative of the fucking pigs who opened the gates. Am I right? Cunt.
    freestuieon April 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Commentcan't we all just get along?
    greenplasticon January 17, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentActually, for my sins I'm an Everton fan but like many from this part of the world, affected by the tragedy. You too, are clearly a Manc or maybe a cockney twat. Putting aside our differences, even Stevie Wonder can see that innocent people died at the negligent hands of the South Yorkshire Police.
    freestuieon March 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    My OpinionThe subject matter is obvious but definitely a lyrical off-day for Nicky Wire on this one. He has dealt with sensitive issues many times , always delivering a satirical and insightful bite to his words but here , something clearly went wrong resulting in arguably the worst lyric in a Manics song. You could argue that it is a description of the speechless frustration surrounding the tragedy but the lyric is almost too bizarre in it's terminal resignation and utter lack of conviction or commitment. This is a subject that demands themes of justice and optimism.
    Djflemingon September 20, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI thought this was about the Yorkshire Ripper :S
    manic4manicson October 22, 2012   Link

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