Imagine whats fans must have thought when this song first roared into life. As the opener on Morrisseys first solo record this was a gauntlet being thrown down. Of course "Suedehead" had already assuaged the loyal, showing that there was life beyond band-dom but still few could have expected this. A mass of swirling riffs and synthesisers tinged with ever so slight distortion building up in intensity until at last the vocal kicks in, posing the pointed question of the refrain "Were you and he lovers? And would you say so if you were?" The paranoia, the obsession is evident from the get go and the song continues to detail an imagined(?) infidelity with an undercurrent of sexual activity casual fans would never attribute to Moz. Of course it's always been there in his work, it just tends to be overlooked by the more populist view of him as wilting wallflower, making Wildean quips while others do the "Wild(e) thing".
What strikes me about this song is that the context seems so adult, the narrative rooted in an office for example rather than the teenage milieu Morrissey would be better known for. Was this a conscious attempt to move on stylistically, a farewell to more youthful concerns to focus on the murky waters of grown up relationships and the infidelities which lie within? I continue to question the alleged transgression when the song itself seems to go out of its way to prove there is an affair going on. Notes written from lust, a tent flap carelessly left wide open seem to confirm that this is the case. But I often wonder when paranoia grips the mind do we rearrange the truth to serve our suspicions? I like to think we're getting a very one-sided view of this story and that the heart of the matter is neither one way or the other. It makes the song much more interesting for me to believe that both parties may have something to hide.
Like most of his work we can only guess to the meaning but the song has a fire to it and rings with such menace that while the details are vague the intention is obvious. The main character already knows the answer to his probing inquiry but cant stand having to hear it. It's a self destructive trait which is all too common, jealousy writ large, and regardless of the answer, the relationship featured here is over either way.
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Hmm, I came to this blog because i recently dragged out my (vinyl) copy of Viva Hate and forgot how fantastic that first trio of songs were (especially compared to the very patchy quality of the rest of the LP, not to mention the vicious racist bilge that immediately follows Everyday). In particular this song has re-embedded itself in my brain after a gap of more than 20 years (Christ!!!). In particular I was seeking any thoughts or comment on where the title came from. Often Morrissey's titles have been characterised as more interesting than the songs. In this case both are equally interesting but completely disconnected - at least as far as I can see. I guess there is some obscure reference that ties them together but it passes me by even though I am familiar with most of Morrissey's milieu..
ReplyDeleteI think that swirling, aggressive, compelling guitar opening is also meant as a rebuttal to those who thought Marr was the real artistic force in the Smiths. Anybody can find a good guitar player but who can write a song like this?
I disagree with the placement of the song in a work environment. I think it is school (perhaps university), not just because that is a much more typical Morrissey context, but the reference to "leather elbows on a tweed coat" is a classic English schoolmaster stereotype. And of course the school-desk is a very loaded image for someone who came through the 1960's and '70's English school system. This adds great intensity to the tension in the triangle as it would appear that one of the two student lovers has been having it away with their teacher/tutor.
I agree that there is an element of brazenness about the alleged affair ("on a forecourt") but the reference to "tent-flaps open wide" is surely primarily a crude (very funny) innuendo referring to the sex act supposed to have occured.
Anyway, if anyone ever reads this I'd love some insight on the title.