Lyrics for London as interpreted by weezerific:cutlery

London Lyrics
Smoke
Lingers 'round your fingers
Train
Heave on - to Euston
Do you think you've made
The right decision this time ?
Oh ...

You left
Your tired family grieving
And you think they're sad because you're leaving
But did you see Jealousy in the eyes
Of the ones who had to stay behind ?
And do you think you've made
The right decision this time ?

You left
Your girlfriend on the platform
With this really ragged notion that you'll return
But she knows
That when he goes
He really goes
And do you think you've made
The right decision this time?

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  • 13 Comments
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smithskid84
11-01-2004

Rated 0 
Hm. I am rather surprised to see no comments...I'd think most younger Smiths fans would have heard this song, seeing as it's on LTB. Anyways, I know it's not Morrissey's best lyrically, but whenever I think about the friends I left when I moved back here from college (wrong school for me, blah blah blah), this strikes a cord with me..."Do you think you've made the right decision this time?" And as always, stellar guitar work, Johnny.

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mdeaves
01-12-2005

Rated 0 
I think it might be about leaving everything in London because you hate the city but your waiting there guilty because your leaving family, friends etc. alone in the town.

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marblerye
01-28-2005

Rated 0 
I feel this song is basically pretty straight-forward. The second person point of view is pretty cool. I think it is talking about making a rash decision you are so sure is right at the time, and then all the doubts and confusion which come later. The people around you are jealous you can give everything up (including them) and not look back, while they do not have the self-confidence nor independence to do the same.

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marquicerise
12-28-2005

Rated 0 
"..because you notice the jealousy of those that stay at home..."

-By Grand Central Station I Sat Down And Wept, by Elizabeth Smart

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infotainment_lad
02-18-2006

Rated 0 
It's about someone from the North of England (an area which is generally quite poor and working class) to go to live in the South, which is often seen as being far richer and more middle-upper class. Euston is a train station in London where the trains from Manchester pull into. His family and girlfriend can't afford to come with him, and he's striving for independence anyway. But as it happens, he already knows he's destined for failure. Anyway, great song.

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Smart Alex
08-10-2006

Rated 0 
I love the line about leaving your girlfriend on the platform "with this really ragged notion that you'll return."

I'm doing exactly that at the moment in London :[

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capella
08-11-2006

Rated 0 
The Smiths were from Manchester. When the got signed to Rough Trade they moved to London. I think this is a story about that move and, in many ways, leaving their lives in Manchester behind. The line, ""with this really ragged notion that you'll return," is more likely directed to his Manchester self, lamenting that you can "never go home again," which is a lyric from another song, but I can't recall which.

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sivilla
05-13-2007

Rated 0 
probably the most ferocious Smiths song all over in 2 minutes, agree not one of morrisseys most thought provoking lyrics but musically is the Smiths at their best

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Mr. Shankley
02-24-2008

Rated 0 
"London" is one of my all-time favorite Smiths songs. Simple premise, bone-crushing delivery. It's lyrical simplicity seems to draw some mild criticism from some of the posts here, but this is what makes it such a great song. It's about getting out of small town and moving to the city in pursuit of something. I love the repetition (chorus?) of the question, "And do you think you made the right decision this time?" which - in setting up the ominous fade-out in minor chords - shows that the person leaving for London is now making a decision of serious import that may or may not be for the best. I disagree with earlier poster that it's a decision necessarily doomed to "failure"... what's important is that the decision to leave has the potential to lead to failure. A great topic for Morrissey or any songwriter to address.

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MrMoment
02-25-2008

Rated 0 
I agree with Mr. Shankley, London's strength is it's simplicity. Also, I feel that song itself makes no value judgement about the main subject's choices. If anything it makes a statement about the subject's character, rather than his upcoming trip to London. It seems that his choices, whether it is going to London or something else, have repercussions that he is oblivious to or apathetic towards. What is more interesting is that the people in his life are not as dependent on him as he may think. The mind's of his family and girlfriends seem to be more self-centered and less concerned with what he is doing. His reality check will go much deeper than a train ride.

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tonester34
05-13-2008

Rated 0 
I think this song is absolutely fabulous. There is just so much meaning packed into those 2 minutes of bliss. Terrriifc!

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vforvenator
09-30-2008

Rated 0 
This also song sounds like its about coming out of the closet, leaving your grieving family or that of one you've broken up... One of my favourite songs ever.

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Niffy1989
02-24-2009

Rated 0 
Like william it was nothing this is inspired by billy idle.. This 1 has complete relevance 2 the story

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