The problem with some of the songs on "Your Arsenal" is that the meanings of the songs are pretty opaque- "Glamorous Glue", "We'll Let You Know", "Certain People I Know". There's some inside thought or vernacular the Morrissey is using that doesn't come across clearly to the general public.
Well, let's look at the lyrics. National Front- ultra right wing conservative group, that is clear enough. Why a disco- a place for dance and fun. Perhaps the "David" in the song finds it a fun and exciting political party. The others in the song, David's mother, friends and even Morrissey himself seem to think he is making a mistake-"where is our boy, we've lost our boy". But the David in the song doesn't see it that way at all- he isn't lost, he has arrived- he embraces his new views and new party.
What is confusing about the song and I think the reason it generated controversy is the music of ths song- footstomping, energetic, uplifting and exciting- it seems to celebrate the National Front. Also, irony works best if it gives you a wink and a nod that there is something wrong with the subject matter or showing absurd negative consequences of one's views or actions. There really is neither other than observer's worrying that 'David' is lost. I mean for instance, if Morrissey substituted 'Labour Party' for National Front, nobody would have batted an eye at the lyrics. So I can see why Morrissey caught flack for this song.
The problem with some of the songs on "Your Arsenal" is that the meanings of the songs are pretty opaque- "Glamorous Glue", "We'll Let You Know", "Certain People I Know". There's some inside thought or vernacular the Morrissey is using that doesn't come across clearly to the general public.
Well, let's look at the lyrics. National Front- ultra right wing conservative group, that is clear enough. Why a disco- a place for dance and fun. Perhaps the "David" in the song finds it a fun and exciting political party. The others in the song, David's mother, friends and even Morrissey himself seem to think he is making a mistake-"where is our boy, we've lost our boy". But the David in the song doesn't see it that way at all- he isn't lost, he has arrived- he embraces his new views and new party.
What is confusing about the song and I think the reason it generated controversy is the music of ths song- footstomping, energetic, uplifting and exciting- it seems to celebrate the National Front. Also, irony works best if it gives you a wink and a nod that there is something wrong with the subject matter or showing absurd negative consequences of one's views or actions. There really is neither other than observer's worrying that 'David' is lost. I mean for instance, if Morrissey substituted 'Labour Party' for National Front, nobody would have batted an eye at the lyrics. So I can see why Morrissey caught flack for this song.