I Don't Owe You Anything

Rimbaudesque, I've found just about the only person to interperet the song as I did and you are that person. Funny to think that we both wish to express this interperation in 2010, whether that holds any significance I do not know.

I listened to this song a few times today with the general perception of this song in mind, the one that sees the love interest as a man and the scenario as Morrissey asking this man to come out because he owes him a night out. Ceretain lyrics as well as the time this song was written lead me to believe that this interperatation is wrong on both levels.

"Bought on stolen wine" - I'm not sure if the stolen is an auxillary adjective or if it adds further meaning, but for this review I will leave it on the wayside. Buying wine is an unusual gesture to ask someone to go out with them, and is almost certainly the opposite, a bid to stay at home. You must remember that this was set in the 80's, therefore the purchase of pre-clubbing alcohol is less likely as binge drinking was less common in those days. It would appear the oft-reclusive Morrissey was looking for another one of his sacred nights in, but with a love interest of his, whether this be a girl or boy.

The following verse would suggest that indeed, Morrissey was seeking to lure the person from out of their house. The consequent lines to his repeated question-lyrics are as follows: "Oh, but you will
For you must" - This is sung in some despair; a tone of dread feels apparent when listening to the aspiration of each vowel. The execution of these lines suggests that Morrissey did in fact, walk a considerable distance just to hear his love interest say "I don't want to go out tonight".


"You should never go to them
Let them come to you
Just like I do
Just like I do" - This verse appears to diffuse the possibility of the singer seeking to go out. Morrissey "comes" to this person over an unenviable trek across grim Manchester, unlike what his love interest would be doing if he/she chose to venture out to a nightclub, going to the so-called "them". These lines fit the "looking-for-a-fellow-recluse" interpretation soundly.

Finally, the only reason why I doubt this is a male infatuation is again down to the time era. The 80's was largely camp as is known, but as I am aware it was still stigmatic to be openly gay. At the very least, it is unlikely that a gay man would be known by Morrissey for always going out.

"Too freely on your lips
Words prematurely sad
Oh, but I know what will make you smile tonight" - These words are surely ones of refusal for Morrissey's proposal? The "freeness" of these words suggest she is aquainted with turning down offers, and that his offer is no more worthy to her than that of a stranger in a nightclub, despite their ostensive familiarity. Going out would appear to be what will make her smile tonight.
In short, it is unlikely that a gay man in the 80's would have had such a thriving nightlife that Morrissey's advances would be so sorely ineffectual.