Lord these words I beg of you
As I kneel down at my bed
Because soon I will be dead
Let's face it soon I will be dead
And I just want to
I want to see the boy happy
With some hope in his pale eyes
Is that too much to ask?
Before I die
I have one final dream
For my own life I don't care anything

Lord these words I beg of you
As I kneel down at my bed
Let's face it soon I will be dead
And I just want to
I want to see the boy happy
With his arms around his first love
Is that too much to ask?
Before I die
I have one final dream
For my own life I don't care anything
And I just want to
I want to see this boy happy
Why is this such a bad thing?


Lyrics submitted by raisedbypuffins

I Just Want to See the Boy Happy Lyrics as written by Steven Morrissey Jesse Alejandro Tobias

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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I Just Want to See the Boy Happy song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I'm surprised no one has commented on this yet.

    Anyway, this song reminds me of I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday from Your Arsenal.

    Pretty much, it's Morrissey giving up on love and pleading to God to let a boy (one of his fans, most likely) to fall in love, and for it to be reciprocated.

    Good song.

    antoniolikescokeon May 12, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I think this song is about Morrissey. He is signing it to himself, the "boy" is him. He is now old, but his inner child is still looking for happiness

    rjdfwon June 09, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i was thinking maybe its from the point of view of his mother to morrisey.

    helenoftroyon July 04, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    It reminds me of He Know's I'd Love To See Him. It's pretty much the same idea.. well, him wanting to see some boy happy. Lately I've been quite taken with the idea that Morrissey's lyrics about other people are actually just slightly-altered observations, hopes, and dreams, about himself... so I suppose I agree with rjdfw

    kcsongbirdon June 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Helen of Troy, I salute you. That is such an original interpretation and listening to it again I can't help but attribute your interpretation to it. It makes perfect sense.

    That said the other posters all have great views and although it is very reminiscent of He knows I'd love to see him it just seems a little more honest and innocent.

    PrettyPettyThiefon April 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is the confessional prayer of an ex-priest who molested an altar boy. Morrissey wears a clerical collar on the cover of the single.

    The priest, appropriately racked with guilt and defrocked, sincerely wants to see that he hasn't totally ruined a life.

    His dying wish is to see that his victim finds healing and happiness.

    E.Ransomon January 12, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    This song is actually based on the book/movie Death in Venice. A man, writer or composer depending on what version you go with, travels to Venice and falls instantly for a 14-year-old boy in a sailor outfit. (It's based on a real story actually; the author saw a boy of 11 in actuality! The movie's actor was 16 at the time.) At first he insists it's an artistic fascination, but as the story goes, it becomes apparent that while he never touches or talks to young Tadzio, he's infatuated. Opportunities present themselves to leave Venice, which by now, is experiencing an outbreak of Cholera (symbolizing the growing sickness inside the man). The song takes place as the man's death is all but certain, having chosen to remain and see Tadzio's glowing smile rather than live his life. Thus lyrics like "why is this such a bad thing". He knows it's wrong on some level and is in deep denial.

    JesGuesson June 10, 2021   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    I just thought it was simple well wishes for his nephew in a rough/cold world. The "bad thing" part is funny. I actually never cared much for people concluding that something is a "good thing" or "bad thing" (like in a Smiths song, "girl you did a good thing, girl you did a bad thing.")

    thrillracerESQon October 28, 2021   Link

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