The Smiths were from Manchester. When the got signed to Rough Trade they moved to London. I think this is a story about that move and, in many ways, leaving their lives in Manchester behind. The line, ""with this really ragged notion that you'll return," is more likely directed to his Manchester self, lamenting that you can "never go home again," which is a lyric from another song, but I can't recall which.
The Smiths were from Manchester. When the got signed to Rough Trade they moved to London. I think this is a story about that move and, in many ways, leaving their lives in Manchester behind. The line, ""with this really ragged notion that you'll return," is more likely directed to his Manchester self, lamenting that you can "never go home again," which is a lyric from another song, but I can't recall which.