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
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



Lyrics submitted by Idan

Track duration: 06:47

"How Soon Is Now?" as written by Steven Morrissey, Johnny Marr

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


How Soon Is Now? song meanings
Add your thoughts

169 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment:I agree that the song is about crippling social anxiety and the desire to connect with others. Other people offer advice about meeting people and they don't understand the fear. It is almost impossible to explain to another person what it feels like, but this comes close.
    The song is hauntingly beautiful.
    Flag R.Goddesson May 03, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:The composition of the song could be reflecting the theme- you have long periods of instrumental where Morrissey's shyness has rendered him silent and everyone else is talking over him, interjected with the occasional murmured statement or passionate exclamation when provoked by constant questioning. The repetition of the verses could be his attempts to make himself more understood, feeling that because he is quiet people take little notice of his words when he does speak.
    Flag manic4manicson April 28, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:That is exactly the same for me, starstuff, as I am cripplingly shy and quiet, which is usually OK, but sometimes can be really upsetting, especially with lots of pressure put on you. Then, listening to the lyrics to this song properly for the first time, they hit such a special, personal note with me. Sometimes you really do just want to scream at people to leave you be the way you are.
    Flag manic4manicson April 22, 2013   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:i never really gave this song much thought.
    now it makes me want to cry hearing it.

    to me it's about social anxiety or shyness, and the inability to make friends. people always tell you the reason you can't make friends is because you don't go out and try to meet people. but i want someone to love me for the shy person i am, not the person i have to pretend to be to talk to people. everyone always says "it'll happen eventually," and my family wants me to just hurry up and find someone. so oi try to go out, but nothing changes. nothing ever changes. i go home and cry about it, because i know it'll always be that way. everyone acts like i'll magically stop being shy, but i accept the fact that i won't.

    this song's very personal to me now that i think about it
    ive always not really liked this song, 'cause it's their most popular and i thought it was overrated
    but now i really really love it
    Flag starstuffon April 01, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I don't know exactly this songs meaning but to me it sounds like a bad breakup where to partner leaving the other says "I can't be with you now" which leads to the question "How soon is now?". "I am human and I need to be loved" "How can you say, I'm going about things the wrong way?" ...trying to get them back maybe? "There's a club if you'd like to go, you could meet someone who really loves you" "See I've already waited to long, and my hope is gone". Just one way to view it.
    Flag rleightonon March 15, 2013   Link
  • +3
    My Interpretation:It's about social anxiety. "The son and heir of a shyness that is criminally vulgar...."
    Flag vixenrougeon February 12, 2013   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:It's about pizza. pizza.
    Flagged darealiston January 07, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I would have thought it was obvious to anyone and everyone that this song is about trying to form relationships whilst being shy, but apparently not.
    Flag drmron October 26, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:We are the product and followers of a system that does not connect people as we intend to be connected. Clubs being the social playing ground. Nothing is solved by searching there, yet, the mind and body long to belong, as humans do.
    Flagged Fubgaon October 01, 2012   Link
  • -5
    General Comment:OK I'm sorry but this is obviously about feeling oppressed as a gay person. All you straight people can take it in your own unrequited love ways but that's your own personal meaning for it.
    Flag JackFron April 06, 2012   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain