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I'd like to drop my trousers to the world
I am a man of means (of slender means)
Each household appliance
Is like a new science in my town
And if the day came when I felt a
Natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump
In the ocean
And when a train goes by
It's such a sad sound
No...
It's such a sad thing
I'd like to drop my trousers to the Queen
Every sensible child will know what this means
The poor and the needy
Are selfish and greedy on her terms
And if the day came when I felt a
Natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump
In the ocean
And when a train goes by
It's such a sad sound
No...
It's such a sad thing
And when I'm lying in my bed
I think about life
And I think about death
And neither one particularly appeals to me
And if the day came when I felt a
Natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably lie
In the middle of the street and die
I'd lie down and die...
Oh, oh
I am a man of means (of slender means)
Each household appliance
Is like a new science in my town
And if the day came when I felt a
Natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump
In the ocean
And when a train goes by
It's such a sad sound
No...
It's such a sad thing
I'd like to drop my trousers to the Queen
Every sensible child will know what this means
The poor and the needy
Are selfish and greedy on her terms
And if the day came when I felt a
Natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump
In the ocean
And when a train goes by
It's such a sad sound
No...
It's such a sad thing
And when I'm lying in my bed
I think about life
And I think about death
And neither one particularly appeals to me
And if the day came when I felt a
Natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably lie
In the middle of the street and die
I'd lie down and die...
Oh, oh
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I think about life and I think about death
and neither one particularly appeals to me" - Always loved this line <3
Natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump
In the ocean
One of my favorite lines ever
The line "I'd like to drop my trousers to the Queen, every sensible child will know what this means" makes me think, maybe Morrissey or the character believes that an awareness that such inequality is wrong is natural and innate, children are born with it but most have it drowned out by consumerism and dull conversation by the time they become adults.
"I'd like to drop my trousers to the world
each household appliance
is like a new science in my town" -
These lyrics invoke a disgruntled youth who is either a bookworm (as Morrissey is/was) who is indignant at the incessant materialisation of the lower crust of society and society's acceptance of that or perhaps, he has caught the bug himself and wishes to shed off the obsession both in real terms (shunning coffee percolators and the like) and in symbolic terms ala dropping down his trousers.
"and if the day came when I felt a
natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump
in the ocean" -
He speaks as someone who seems to be disaffected by his current state of living. The subjugation of his class of people (the lower) serves to numb them and, in turn, himself. If he felt a natural emotion such as optomism for his future or ambition derived from self esteem then he'd be out of his comfort zone. It seems that the household appliances and whatever else, all serve to weaken the morale of those of slender means as they provide a fleeting satisfaction rather than one found at the end of hard work and perseverance.
"and when a train goes by
it's such a sad sound" -
The sound of progress and elsewhere puts his occupationally threadbare existance into glaring apparency. for the humdrum of his working class lifestyle runs to a much slower riff than the that of a train. This is symoblically represented by Johnny Marr's riff in between the second and third verse in that it is a solo that clatters away like the wheels of z train over a tracks.
Much of the rest of the song explains itself away quite easily or is not integral to my interpretation of the song. This section of the final verse however: -
"And when I'm lying in my bed
I think about life
and I think about death
and neither one particularly appeals to me" -
When emotions are dumbed down due to the monotony experienced by many, suicide becomes a prime contemplation. After not very long of course, the notion of death becomes exactly that, notional. Morrissey, like any healthy human being realises that he is quite fond of his existance really. He is quite devoted to his mundane life. As much as realising death isn't appealing may add some short relief, it becomes quickly apparent that life isn't all too appealing in itself. Hence forth Morrissey finds himself back in numb depression once more; no longer contemplating life or death, and certainly feeling no natural emotions.
The guitar-solo is a railroad crossing, with the train to the city going by. --> it's like the bridge over the street to Stockholm in "Fucking Åmål".
It seems to me like the narrator is in this suburban kind of town, and he's feeling repressed by the atmosphere and petty excitements of the people there, but he just can't work up the enthusiasm to do anything about the situation - or even anything at all. It's like he's just been crushed into total apathy. A but like William, It Was Really Nothing, where the narrator's humdrum town has made him apathetic about the prospect of marrying the fat, desperate girl, I thought...
"I'd like to drop my trousers to the world"
I think this shows his lack of respect towards the world, how it's becoming distastful. As well as doing something rash, in order to provoke a reaction.
"each household appliance
is like a new science in my town"
To me, this is simply technology, how its changing everything, ruining it, and becoming increasling popular, hence the word "household"
"and when a train goes by
it's such a sad sound"
The sound of other people escaping while you stay put... I can't think of a more depressing sound.
"I'd like to drop my trousers to the Queen"
This is the politucal side to the song, how everyone else respects the Queen, this again would be rash and cause a scene. My theory might be linking the Queen to Thatcher, who ruined this country, yet is respected.
"are selfish and greedy on her terms"
Linking to my last point, how our Queen is making the poor and not doing much about it. Making a link also to how un-liberal our society is.
"I think about life
and I think about death
and neither one particularly appeals to me"
The most relatable line to my entire life.
"and if the day came when I felt a
natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably lie
in the middle of the street and die
I'd lie down and die"
I think this has duel meanings. How we all fake how was are to others, after awhile we neglect our emotions. A personal meaning to me, is that through not believing in love, all other emotions have become numb, i cn't imagiine what its like to feel. I love this line.