Emil
A Burnt Child
Anyone else who thinks that the lyrics to Smiler with knife may be the best thing Morrissey has ever written? Both the form and content of it is nearly perfect. It is the first real or "classic" poem he has written with both rhymed verse and a metre (the first in his œuvre?). Most of the lines contains 7 syllables (though admittedy not all) and it is not being sung but recited.
And the lyrics are really complex with lots of double meanings and sexual innuendo. I think it's quite clear that the lyrics describes a sexual encounter between two men. But it is quite impossible to decide if it is a one-off meeting between a rent boy and Smiler and all the guilt that goes with it or if it's a crime passionnel where Smiler actually kills his lover boy. Is the death just a metaphor for orgasm or is it literal? I think this is one of the most complex and interesting things Morrissey has ever written. The more one thinks about the lyrics the more complex they become. Morrissey has really found new heights as a lyricist in this song (as well as in Mountjoy).
See in me the side of you
That sometimes makes you jump with fright
Smiler with knife it's your big night
Sinking bed, all warm and clean
Only sadness waits for me
Smiler with knife you're just in time
You're just in time
Press the blade against my skin
Never to make love again
Smiler with knife it's alright
Surrendered will I am before you
I am sick to death of life
Smiler with knife, alight
Alight
If such things weren't meant to be
Then they would never come to me
Smiler, oh, don't worry so
Slam-in one-shot gentle pain
Someone calling out my name
Sex and love are not the same
Are not the same
Time has frittered long and slow
All I am and was will go
But where to?
And why now?
When my last breath falls away
Smiler trust me when I say
You'll be OK
You'll be OK
And the lyrics are really complex with lots of double meanings and sexual innuendo. I think it's quite clear that the lyrics describes a sexual encounter between two men. But it is quite impossible to decide if it is a one-off meeting between a rent boy and Smiler and all the guilt that goes with it or if it's a crime passionnel where Smiler actually kills his lover boy. Is the death just a metaphor for orgasm or is it literal? I think this is one of the most complex and interesting things Morrissey has ever written. The more one thinks about the lyrics the more complex they become. Morrissey has really found new heights as a lyricist in this song (as well as in Mountjoy).
See in me the side of you
That sometimes makes you jump with fright
Smiler with knife it's your big night
Sinking bed, all warm and clean
Only sadness waits for me
Smiler with knife you're just in time
You're just in time
Press the blade against my skin
Never to make love again
Smiler with knife it's alright
Surrendered will I am before you
I am sick to death of life
Smiler with knife, alight
Alight
If such things weren't meant to be
Then they would never come to me
Smiler, oh, don't worry so
Slam-in one-shot gentle pain
Someone calling out my name
Sex and love are not the same
Are not the same
Time has frittered long and slow
All I am and was will go
But where to?
And why now?
When my last breath falls away
Smiler trust me when I say
You'll be OK
You'll be OK
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