HOW SOON
IS
NOW
?
-
I am the son
And the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Of nothing in particular
You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way ?
I am Human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does
I am the son
And the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Oh, of nothing in particular
You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way ?
I am Human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does
There's a club, if you'd like to go
You could meet somebody who really loves you
So you go, and you stand on your own
And you leave on your own
And you go home, and you cry
And you want to die
When you say it's gonna happen "now"
Well, when exactly do you mean ?
See I've already waited too long
And all my hope is gone
You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way ?
I am Human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does
-
-
Undoubtably The Smiths' most famous song, How Soon Is Now ? sees the rocky
side of the group, with the unique sound of this song (although its apparently
very similar to Elton John's "Can I Put You On ?"), and its long instrumental
gaps inbetween unearthly vocal parts from Morrissey. What could have been
a chart-topping single was pissed away by Morrissey and Marr, who then
consequently moaned about its lack of chart success. Well, sorry lads,
but if you want a single to do well, don't put out as a B-side and
an album track first ... common sense really ...
The lyrics find Morrissey at his most theatrically introspective, courting
observations from ill-minded cynics that Morrissey was just a big kid really
- "aw, mum !". I've always been in two minds about this song. When I first
heard it I didn't really think that much of it compared to things like
The Boy With The Thorn In His Side.
Then I grew to adore it; now it's waned a bit again.
The famous "swampy" guitar sound was sampled by Soho for their 1991
hit "Hippychick", which led to Morrissey and Marr claiming a 25% royalty
on the song.
The BBC version is very similar, which makes you wonder quite how Johnny
Marr did it.