I completely agree that this song is open to multiple interpretations. So I don't really disagree with anyone. Morrissey writes on a large range of issues and part of his genious is his ability to blend multiple issues and meanings into the same song. So many times one can interpret a song
one way if you exaggerate the importance of one or two lines, and downplay other lines. Personally, this song has always meant something a little different to me. I always thought it was about alienation for any number of reasons. The last lines coming after a major change in the pace of the song are "I tried to live in the real world, instead of a shell, but...I was bored before I even began." Shoplifting is a misdemeanor known to be performed by people who are bored and seeking excitement.
Shoplifters of the world unite is a reference to Marx who used the idea of alienation as a concept of what happens to the laborer in a capitalist society, where the capitalist essentially steals the fruits of the workers labor and gives a small wage in return, thus alienating the laborer from his labor as well as other laborers. Naturally there are other examples of alienation in the song like the common claim of references to homosexuality. Also "workers of the world unite" is a call to arms, to unite and change the world. In this case its a call to make the world a more open and interesting, and less alienating place for all who share in his frustration. Morrissey frequently references the issues that bother him greatly, but also mentions the boredom of watching the more destructive tendencies in human nature; war, crime, poverty, love (or lack of). Such pathological tendencies and frustrations with a lack of positive change push one back into a shell. As always it isn't always about what he says and how he says it, but what he doesn't say that provides further meanings to his lyrics. Furthermore, we all have such a tendency to focus on what he does say that we forget about what a brilliant band they were, and how much Marr brilliantly adds to the meaning and power of these songs through subtle changes in the music.
Also Morrissey mentions it to be about spiritual or intellectual crime. Retreated to his shell he makes life interesting through incorporating little bits and pieces of shoplifted material and laboring to make them his own where they attain greater intrinsic value. What a genius. Guy writes 25 lines and we all go on for pages!!!
I completely agree that this song is open to multiple interpretations. So I don't really disagree with anyone. Morrissey writes on a large range of issues and part of his genious is his ability to blend multiple issues and meanings into the same song. So many times one can interpret a song one way if you exaggerate the importance of one or two lines, and downplay other lines. Personally, this song has always meant something a little different to me. I always thought it was about alienation for any number of reasons. The last lines coming after a major change in the pace of the song are "I tried to live in the real world, instead of a shell, but...I was bored before I even began." Shoplifting is a misdemeanor known to be performed by people who are bored and seeking excitement. Shoplifters of the world unite is a reference to Marx who used the idea of alienation as a concept of what happens to the laborer in a capitalist society, where the capitalist essentially steals the fruits of the workers labor and gives a small wage in return, thus alienating the laborer from his labor as well as other laborers. Naturally there are other examples of alienation in the song like the common claim of references to homosexuality. Also "workers of the world unite" is a call to arms, to unite and change the world. In this case its a call to make the world a more open and interesting, and less alienating place for all who share in his frustration. Morrissey frequently references the issues that bother him greatly, but also mentions the boredom of watching the more destructive tendencies in human nature; war, crime, poverty, love (or lack of). Such pathological tendencies and frustrations with a lack of positive change push one back into a shell. As always it isn't always about what he says and how he says it, but what he doesn't say that provides further meanings to his lyrics. Furthermore, we all have such a tendency to focus on what he does say that we forget about what a brilliant band they were, and how much Marr brilliantly adds to the meaning and power of these songs through subtle changes in the music. Also Morrissey mentions it to be about spiritual or intellectual crime. Retreated to his shell he makes life interesting through incorporating little bits and pieces of shoplifted material and laboring to make them his own where they attain greater intrinsic value. What a genius. Guy writes 25 lines and we all go on for pages!!!