Girlfriend in a coma, I know
I know, it's serious
Girlfriend in a coma, I know
I know, it's really serious

There were times when I could
Have murdered her
But you know, I would hate
Anything to happen to her

No, I don't want to see her

Do you really think
She'll pull through
Do you really think
She'll pull through
Do ooh ooh ooh

Girlfriend in a coma, I know
I know, it's serious
My, my, my, my, my, my baby, goodbye

There were times when I could
Have strangled her
But you know, I would hate
Anything to happen to her
Would you please
Let me see her

Do you really think
She'll pull through
Do you really think
She'll pull through
Do ooh ooh ooh
Let me whisper my last goodbyes
I know, it's serious


Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery

Girlfriend in a Coma Lyrics as written by Johnny Marr Steven Morrissey

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Girlfriend in a Coma song meanings
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    General Comment

    When I first heard this song it made me break out in fit's of laughter. The Juxtaposition of happy music with such serious lyric's reminded me of a similar song of the times by Johnny Hates Jazz called Shattered Dreams. With repeated listening I began to see another side to the lyrics. The song is perfect in that each idea presented along with the music, telegraphs the meaning. His girfriend is not in a coma by accident. He put her there during one of their arguments when he "could've murdered her". At first guilt causes him to stay away. Until he realizes she might wake up.Now he want's to see her to finish the job.Then he does while singing let me whisper my last goodbyes coming close enough to finish things without undue suspicion. What complicates this is that he genuinely cares for the girl. I get why people see this as metaphorical. Either about a relationship near it's end or his Heterosexuality nearing it's end. Or even the band nearing it's end. In Real life all 3 might have contributed to the melodrama in this perfect song.Yet I suggest the other 3 were not consciously what Morrisey was writing about. Though all 3 make solid metaphoric sense, I believe he's not intentionally discussing a metaphor. He is imagining the song from the point of view of an abusive but caring boyfriend who both misses her & is terrified she will wake up & ruin his life. The Desperation in the Line "Do you really think she'll pull through" is the one time in the song the music does not sound happy or hopeful. This combined with the incongruent nature of the rest of the song, to the situation & leads to the sober climax "let me whisper my last Goodbye's". The ambiguity dares the listener to look below the surface. There are simple songs, this isn't one of them. Several of the potential metaphors match similar emotions. But the "do you really think she'll pull through" line becomes meaningless then. The dual emotions indicate that he cares but is becoming certain he must finish the job. No I don't think Morrisey actually killed someone. That said it is easy to see him understanding that emotion. His biting sarcasm shows he is familiar with anger. Such a meaning & the humorous incongruety of the music would have delighted him . Knowing only a small percentage of fans will see the intended meaning.

    [Edit: Some omissions & bad spellings needed fixing.]
    cufflincolnon June 11, 2023   Link

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