This is a song that contains some of my favourite lyrics written by Morrissey. "I Want The I Can’t Have" is (in my opinion) a severly unappreciated and under-rated song because of it’s placing between the wild "Rusholme Ruffians" and the also lyrically demanding "What She Said" on the album "Meat Is Murder".
The "Mentality-Biology" couplet refers to the protaginists mind (mentality) being compared to his body (biology). His mind is suffering these attractions to this "One he can’t have" However, his pyshical state (being male) suggests that he should be attracted to those of the opposite sex. The "Catching up" that his mentality has to make to his biology is proving that he longs for his mind to work in the way his body SHOULD work. This could also be interpreted as our protaginist being denied a man who he believes to be gay, but in the closet. "On the days that your mentality, decides to try to catch up with your biology, come round" Our protaganist believes that homosexuality is a biological state as well as a mental one.
The lines "I want the one I can’t have" are rather self explanatory, yet I believe, incredibly effective. This implies that the "One" is indeed straight and this causes our protaganist a great amount of grief. "And its driving me mad". The fact that its "written all over my (his) face" portrays that he is finding it hard to hide his affections for the "One". The repition of the "all over" implies that its intensity is gaining in time.
The "Double bed" represents sex and the ability to display his affection. If something/someone is "Stalwart" then he/she/it is Loyal, dependable and sturdy. The reference of a "Stalwart lover" therefore is suggesting a near-perfect companion in which to lay with in the "double bed". These terms are described as "the riches of the poor" which implies that it is something that money cannot buy.
The verse which talks of "A tough kid" is a description of the "One" through the eyes of our protaganist. This is a verse in which Morrissey’s influences and taste in men becomes evident. The description of a "Tough kid who sometimes swallowed nails" is a reference to director Howard Sachler’s description of James Dean as a "tough kid who sometimes sleeps on nails". The change of words from "sleeps" to "swallows" seems to be a reference to oral sex. Describing the "One" as a "tough kid" suggests that he is a loveable ruffian, (much to both Morrissy’s and our protaganist’s taste). "Raised on prisoner’s aids" is yet another "Tough kid" trait to which the "One" is custom to. The fact that the "One" supposedly "Killed a policeman when he was 13" suggests that he may be dangerous, which is immiedatly followed up by "and somehow that really impressed me". This shows that our protaganist is sexually aroused by thuggish and brutish acts in "somehow (somekind)" of way. Therefore the love he holds for the "One" appears to be an entirely primal and instinctual love/lust.
"And if you ever need self validation, then meet me in the alley by the railway station". This final statement seems to be a plea to the "One" urging him to come out of the closet and find himself. This can be interpreted in different ways. This plea could be a sound piece of advise that our protaganist is giving to the "One" in order for them to comence their gay relestionship. Or it could be our protaganist fruitlessly clinging onto the hopes of his clearly straight wannabe lover being his way inclined. The use of an "alley by the railway station" represents 2 things. Firstly, it represents the taste of both our protaganist and the "One" because of our protaganists love of dirty, badboy ruffians and probably the "One’s" favourite haunt of the streets, (his backyard/scene). It can also represent the dirty and corrupt road that is homosexuality because it goes against society’s perception of "natural" (Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve).
That was an excellent explanation of the song.
I knew what I wanted to say, but I did not know how to explain it in words and you did an awesome job!
Thank you.
That was an excellent explanation of the song.
I knew what I wanted to say, but I did not know how to explain it in words and you did an awesome job!
Thank you.
Why oh why do people always tend to narrow Morrissey's lyrics down to what they want it to be.
I ain't saying your interpretation isn't correct, but as it's Morrissey we're talking about, it could perfectly be about women's attraction to criminals aswell. He always tries to write open lyrics that can be read in various ways. It's arrogant to pretend he writes only for you. He's far more literate than a lot of people imagine. His lyrics contain layered intertextuality with world literature to the n'th degree which makes them extremely fascinating to unravel.
You imagine a certain image to fit...
Why oh why do people always tend to narrow Morrissey's lyrics down to what they want it to be.
I ain't saying your interpretation isn't correct, but as it's Morrissey we're talking about, it could perfectly be about women's attraction to criminals aswell. He always tries to write open lyrics that can be read in various ways. It's arrogant to pretend he writes only for you. He's far more literate than a lot of people imagine. His lyrics contain layered intertextuality with world literature to the n'th degree which makes them extremely fascinating to unravel.
You imagine a certain image to fit the text, then you take the text and try to prove you're correct by dragging every line into your interpretation. We're talking about art here, people trying to "explain" the song and "showing off" (don't know what you were showing off to be quite honest, since you didn't write the lyrics) can really suck my balls. Ok, thát was clearly about homosexuality.
Absolutely love your interpretation. However, I do think that Morrissey intended the song to be sexually ambiguous on purpose. In interviews he talks about a desire to write songs from a female perspective which were typically from that of males (I think it's about 'William it was really nothing') - he could want the listener to take something from their own personal experience to the song? To see how a female feels about the situation? We'll never know.
Absolutely love your interpretation. However, I do think that Morrissey intended the song to be sexually ambiguous on purpose. In interviews he talks about a desire to write songs from a female perspective which were typically from that of males (I think it's about 'William it was really nothing') - he could want the listener to take something from their own personal experience to the song? To see how a female feels about the situation? We'll never know.
Your explanation is brill, though, and I completely agree with the reading. The song has an absolutely gorgeous dynamic. You're right, it's...
Your explanation is brill, though, and I completely agree with the reading. The song has an absolutely gorgeous dynamic. You're right, it's so unappreciated as is 'What She Said' (perhaps one of my all time favourite Smiths songs.)
The lyric 'He killed a policeman when he was thirteen and somehow that really impressed me' is one of the most incredible lines. It just works so well and leaves so many questions to be answered.
@Loves_young_dream bravo for your interpretation, it's so good! replying to this mostly bc i think it's more likely for someone to see it than it is if i make my own comment, i'd just like to say that i think it's possible in this song that the narrator that morrissey is voicing during most of the song isn't himself, but said tough kid, since i've read about morrissey's sexuality and it seems to me he is the one who needs to get his mentality in line with his biology and also the line "if you ever need self validation just...
@Loves_young_dream bravo for your interpretation, it's so good! replying to this mostly bc i think it's more likely for someone to see it than it is if i make my own comment, i'd just like to say that i think it's possible in this song that the narrator that morrissey is voicing during most of the song isn't himself, but said tough kid, since i've read about morrissey's sexuality and it seems to me he is the one who needs to get his mentality in line with his biology and also the line "if you ever need self validation just meet me in the alley by the railway station" sounds more like something a tough guy like the one being described would say, but i could be wrong, as i am 19 and have been listening to the smiths for a little less than two years so i obviously have a lot of catching up to do (p.s. sorry for any grammatical errors, English isn't my first language)
This is a song that contains some of my favourite lyrics written by Morrissey. "I Want The I Can’t Have" is (in my opinion) a severly unappreciated and under-rated song because of it’s placing between the wild "Rusholme Ruffians" and the also lyrically demanding "What She Said" on the album "Meat Is Murder".
The "Mentality-Biology" couplet refers to the protaginists mind (mentality) being compared to his body (biology). His mind is suffering these attractions to this "One he can’t have" However, his pyshical state (being male) suggests that he should be attracted to those of the opposite sex. The "Catching up" that his mentality has to make to his biology is proving that he longs for his mind to work in the way his body SHOULD work. This could also be interpreted as our protaginist being denied a man who he believes to be gay, but in the closet. "On the days that your mentality, decides to try to catch up with your biology, come round" Our protaganist believes that homosexuality is a biological state as well as a mental one.
The lines "I want the one I can’t have" are rather self explanatory, yet I believe, incredibly effective. This implies that the "One" is indeed straight and this causes our protaganist a great amount of grief. "And its driving me mad". The fact that its "written all over my (his) face" portrays that he is finding it hard to hide his affections for the "One". The repition of the "all over" implies that its intensity is gaining in time.
The "Double bed" represents sex and the ability to display his affection. If something/someone is "Stalwart" then he/she/it is Loyal, dependable and sturdy. The reference of a "Stalwart lover" therefore is suggesting a near-perfect companion in which to lay with in the "double bed". These terms are described as "the riches of the poor" which implies that it is something that money cannot buy.
The verse which talks of "A tough kid" is a description of the "One" through the eyes of our protaganist. This is a verse in which Morrissey’s influences and taste in men becomes evident. The description of a "Tough kid who sometimes swallowed nails" is a reference to director Howard Sachler’s description of James Dean as a "tough kid who sometimes sleeps on nails". The change of words from "sleeps" to "swallows" seems to be a reference to oral sex. Describing the "One" as a "tough kid" suggests that he is a loveable ruffian, (much to both Morrissy’s and our protaganist’s taste). "Raised on prisoner’s aids" is yet another "Tough kid" trait to which the "One" is custom to. The fact that the "One" supposedly "Killed a policeman when he was 13" suggests that he may be dangerous, which is immiedatly followed up by "and somehow that really impressed me". This shows that our protaganist is sexually aroused by thuggish and brutish acts in "somehow (somekind)" of way. Therefore the love he holds for the "One" appears to be an entirely primal and instinctual love/lust.
"And if you ever need self validation, then meet me in the alley by the railway station". This final statement seems to be a plea to the "One" urging him to come out of the closet and find himself. This can be interpreted in different ways. This plea could be a sound piece of advise that our protaganist is giving to the "One" in order for them to comence their gay relestionship. Or it could be our protaganist fruitlessly clinging onto the hopes of his clearly straight wannabe lover being his way inclined. The use of an "alley by the railway station" represents 2 things. Firstly, it represents the taste of both our protaganist and the "One" because of our protaganists love of dirty, badboy ruffians and probably the "One’s" favourite haunt of the streets, (his backyard/scene). It can also represent the dirty and corrupt road that is homosexuality because it goes against society’s perception of "natural" (Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve).
That was an excellent explanation of the song. I knew what I wanted to say, but I did not know how to explain it in words and you did an awesome job! Thank you.
That was an excellent explanation of the song. I knew what I wanted to say, but I did not know how to explain it in words and you did an awesome job! Thank you.
Why oh why do people always tend to narrow Morrissey's lyrics down to what they want it to be. I ain't saying your interpretation isn't correct, but as it's Morrissey we're talking about, it could perfectly be about women's attraction to criminals aswell. He always tries to write open lyrics that can be read in various ways. It's arrogant to pretend he writes only for you. He's far more literate than a lot of people imagine. His lyrics contain layered intertextuality with world literature to the n'th degree which makes them extremely fascinating to unravel. You imagine a certain image to fit...
Why oh why do people always tend to narrow Morrissey's lyrics down to what they want it to be. I ain't saying your interpretation isn't correct, but as it's Morrissey we're talking about, it could perfectly be about women's attraction to criminals aswell. He always tries to write open lyrics that can be read in various ways. It's arrogant to pretend he writes only for you. He's far more literate than a lot of people imagine. His lyrics contain layered intertextuality with world literature to the n'th degree which makes them extremely fascinating to unravel. You imagine a certain image to fit the text, then you take the text and try to prove you're correct by dragging every line into your interpretation. We're talking about art here, people trying to "explain" the song and "showing off" (don't know what you were showing off to be quite honest, since you didn't write the lyrics) can really suck my balls. Ok, thát was clearly about homosexuality.
Absolutely love your interpretation. However, I do think that Morrissey intended the song to be sexually ambiguous on purpose. In interviews he talks about a desire to write songs from a female perspective which were typically from that of males (I think it's about 'William it was really nothing') - he could want the listener to take something from their own personal experience to the song? To see how a female feels about the situation? We'll never know.
Absolutely love your interpretation. However, I do think that Morrissey intended the song to be sexually ambiguous on purpose. In interviews he talks about a desire to write songs from a female perspective which were typically from that of males (I think it's about 'William it was really nothing') - he could want the listener to take something from their own personal experience to the song? To see how a female feels about the situation? We'll never know.
Your explanation is brill, though, and I completely agree with the reading. The song has an absolutely gorgeous dynamic. You're right, it's...
Your explanation is brill, though, and I completely agree with the reading. The song has an absolutely gorgeous dynamic. You're right, it's so unappreciated as is 'What She Said' (perhaps one of my all time favourite Smiths songs.)
The lyric 'He killed a policeman when he was thirteen and somehow that really impressed me' is one of the most incredible lines. It just works so well and leaves so many questions to be answered.
@Loves_young_dream Very pedantically put. Morrissey may not approve.
@Loves_young_dream Very pedantically put. Morrissey may not approve.
@Loves_young_dream I hope you're aware enough to realise that you're someone Steven Patrick would not give the time of day to
@Loves_young_dream I hope you're aware enough to realise that you're someone Steven Patrick would not give the time of day to
@Loves_young_dream bravo for your interpretation, it's so good! replying to this mostly bc i think it's more likely for someone to see it than it is if i make my own comment, i'd just like to say that i think it's possible in this song that the narrator that morrissey is voicing during most of the song isn't himself, but said tough kid, since i've read about morrissey's sexuality and it seems to me he is the one who needs to get his mentality in line with his biology and also the line "if you ever need self validation just...
@Loves_young_dream bravo for your interpretation, it's so good! replying to this mostly bc i think it's more likely for someone to see it than it is if i make my own comment, i'd just like to say that i think it's possible in this song that the narrator that morrissey is voicing during most of the song isn't himself, but said tough kid, since i've read about morrissey's sexuality and it seems to me he is the one who needs to get his mentality in line with his biology and also the line "if you ever need self validation just meet me in the alley by the railway station" sounds more like something a tough guy like the one being described would say, but i could be wrong, as i am 19 and have been listening to the smiths for a little less than two years so i obviously have a lot of catching up to do (p.s. sorry for any grammatical errors, English isn't my first language)