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All men have secrets and here is mine
So let it be known
For we have been through hell and high tide
I think I can rely on you...
And yet you start to recoil
Heavy words are so lightly thrown
But still I'd leap in front of a flying bullet for you
So, what difference does it make?
So, what difference does it make?
It makes none
But now you have gone
And you must be looking very old tonight
The devil will find work for idle hands to do
I stole and I lied, and why?
Because you asked me to!
But now you make me feel so ashamed
Because I've only got two hands
Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
So, what difference does it make?
Oh, what difference does it make?
Oh, it makes none
But now you have gone
And your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight
Oh, the devil will find work for idle hands to do
I stole, and then I lied
Just because you asked me to
But now you know the truth about me
You won't see me anymore
Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
But no more apologies
No more, no more apologies
Oh, I'm too tired
I'm so sick and tired
And I'm feeling very sick and ill today
But I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
Oh, my sacred one...
Oh...
So let it be known
For we have been through hell and high tide
I think I can rely on you...
And yet you start to recoil
Heavy words are so lightly thrown
But still I'd leap in front of a flying bullet for you
So, what difference does it make?
So, what difference does it make?
It makes none
But now you have gone
And you must be looking very old tonight
The devil will find work for idle hands to do
I stole and I lied, and why?
Because you asked me to!
But now you make me feel so ashamed
Because I've only got two hands
Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
So, what difference does it make?
Oh, what difference does it make?
Oh, it makes none
But now you have gone
And your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight
Oh, the devil will find work for idle hands to do
I stole, and then I lied
Just because you asked me to
But now you know the truth about me
You won't see me anymore
Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
But no more apologies
No more, no more apologies
Oh, I'm too tired
I'm so sick and tired
And I'm feeling very sick and ill today
But I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
Oh, my sacred one...
Oh...
Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Track duration: 03:13
"What Difference Does It Make?" as written by Johnny Marr, Steven Patrick Morrissey
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Morrissey sings the part of one who has suffered an incredibly hard relationship breakdown -- their best friend has ceased to return their affection due to some unspecified event (an unrequited romantic interest, most likely). The spurned party appreciates that, despite the intense-sounding history, any appeal directed at their best friend/would-be lover is futile; the relationship is irreparably broken. And yet, such is the strength of feeling for the dismissive friend, he keeps thrashing around like a snared animal. The disinterested friend knows this all too well and exerts control, casually manipulating him -- possibly for revenge or just for the thrill of having somebody's heart on a string.
The relationship (if, by this point, you can call it that) becomes almost like a sick joke -- both parties know the script, yet the main character's ineffable fondness for the other party dooms them to repeat their behaviour: "I would do anything for you, but what difference does it make when you do not and will not care about me?".
Finally, the spurned friend cannot sink any lower, gets a grip of their senses and retreats. Even after the horrendous suffering and humiliation, he is still (almost ruefully) fond of the friend.
This basically mirrors something that happened to me, so perhaps I saw what I wanted to see. Some of the lyrics are so beautifully phrased, they fit like a glove. This song helped me to recognise and understand my behaviour and slowly move on.
Could be him telling a friend about anything that she doesn't approve of or understand though.
The things that makes me thing its not just about someone finding out the other is gay are : your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight, this suggests the potential for an intermate relationship;sick and ill today, which suggests love and oh my sacred one.
As yet woman is not capable of friendship. But tell me, you men, who of you is capable of friendship?"
That is in response to all the people saying it's about two gay friends. Do you not love whom you call friends my good men?
The song can be interpreted both ways but I've always taken it as two friends (male/male male/female female/female) one who sees the other who they've been friends for a long time going off getting wasted something they used to do together when one of them tries to make the point of "What difference does this make?" trying to make them realize that there is none. Even though they come to that conclusion s/he goes off and does it again. Still they feel the fondness towards that friend they always had.
But good lyrics don't have meanings that are set in stone, It not about what it was written with in mind, it's about the experience behind it. Everyone can related to the experiences behind good lyrics, that's why they like them.
After spending a very extended period of time being with this woman, she grows tired of him; tired of trying to make her feelings what he wishes for them to be. She becomes bored with the idea of him, despite the feelings she once had herself. Unfortunately for him, the woman has begun to manipulate him because she is fully aware of the feelings and devotion that he still has for her, and she sees how easy it is for her to play him.
"The devil will find work for idles hands to do. I stole and I lied, and why? Because you asked me to! But now you make me feel so ashamed because I've only got two hands. But I'm still fond of you..."
Why would she do this, one might ask? Because she's sick. She enjoys knowing that she is getting the attention she wants without having to put forth any effort in return. He tries time after time to win her affection, while too blind with love to notice that she really could care less for him.
After his countless efforts to make her happy, he finally comes to his senses and realizes that it is impossible for him to do so. The creation of this song (Which happens to be one of my very favorites) is the result and example of how he finally came to his senses.