I've always thought of the girl drowning, being ignored by the sleeping lifeguard and partially dismissed by the narrator as a metaphor. That is, a symbol for those in society who struggle to get their voice heard, or have their cries for help ignored as a result of society's self-absorption and the dismissive attitude of some other individuals or groups. I have similar theories about 'November Spawned A Monster' and 'Mute Witness': a lot of Morrissey's songs of this type could be interpreted as an extended metaphor or allegory which can be generalised to more than one individual, at least to a degree. But hey, that's just me. :)
I've always thought of the girl drowning, being ignored by the sleeping lifeguard and partially dismissed by the narrator as a metaphor. That is, a symbol for those in society who struggle to get their voice heard, or have their cries for help ignored as a result of society's self-absorption and the dismissive attitude of some other individuals or groups. I have similar theories about 'November Spawned A Monster' and 'Mute Witness': a lot of Morrissey's songs of this type could be interpreted as an extended metaphor or allegory which can be generalised to more than one individual, at least to a degree. But hey, that's just me. :)
@PlunderingDesire I agree glad I'm not the only one who sees the song that way
@PlunderingDesire I agree glad I'm not the only one who sees the song that way
@PlunderingDesire I agree glad I'm not the only one who sees the song that way
@PlunderingDesire I agree glad I'm not the only one who sees the song that way