Last night I dreamt
That somebody loved me
No hope, no harm
Just another false alarm

Last night I felt
Real arms around me
No hope, no harm
Just another false alarm

So, tell me how long
Before the last one?
And tell me how long
Before the right one?

The story is old - I know
But it goes on
The story is old - I know
But it goes on

Oh, goes on
And on
Oh, goes on
And on



Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery

Track duration: 03:13

"Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" as written by Steven Patrick/marr Morrissey

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

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Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me song meanings
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71 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:To me it is about someone who has had a one night stand with a woman/man and has fallen in love with them, yet the other party has nowhere near the same feelings for them....

    The "dreamed" reference is him saying, was this real? Nah just a dream.
    Flag jambokaos87on April 10, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Hey I just noticed this thing while listening to Morrissey's song called "November Spawned a Monster", and at some part of the song he sings something about not having love, and only having to dream of it...
    Flag Lilyflosson April 09, 2013   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:This song, to me, is a simple cry of loneliness.

    He had a dream that somebody loved him, simply. He dreamt that somebody held him in their arms, simply. However, when he awakes he realises the dream was 'just another false alarm', and nobody needs to be interested in what he's saying because nobody is in love with him. There is 'no harm' as he is used to this morning disappointment, so he isn't emotionally damaged by the misery of waking alone. For the same reason, there is 'no hope', for he is used to these wonderful dreams not becoming reality and so he won't let himself hope it will really happen.
    In the second part of the song, however, he becomes more desperate. He has forgotten what he previously said about 'no hope', as he now asks anyone and everyone who will listen to his cry, 'how long before the last one?' meaning the last wonderful dream which creates morning disappointment, in simpler words, how long before he actually finds someone to love him in reality. Then, 'how long before the right one?' he asks which dream which will come true, who will I dream about that will become my real love? 'The story is old but it goes on', he has been alone for a long, long time, but it doesn't feel like it's going to change, this loneliness will continue.

    Morrissey and Marr have both named this their favourite Smiths song, and I completely understand why.
    Flagged nancydavison January 12, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Low does a really great, soul crushing cover of this.
    Flag jawstoneon September 14, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:Firstly opposing other arguments which state that liking The Smiths is 'not trendy', i disagree! I first got into them around the age of 12, which i was bullied through high school for my taste in music, I’m now 18 and i find loads of people pretending to like the smiths and other similar bands, the hipster types, because it's considered 'cool'. Usually these people only know Panic and Charming Man and upon questioning them about other songs and the band members they can't answer. Pretty pathetic excuses for human beings if you think about it, i mean imagine trying so hard to be 'cool' that you can't be yourself?
    To me this song has a more blatant meaning. I’m sure I’m not the only one but i have these dreams, i can’t see or recognize the man in my dreams but i get an overwhelming feeling of love, passion and desire towards him. I can feel him touching me, i can feel real arms around me, i feel like somebody somewhere loves me, it’s extraordinarily life like . I always wake up happy and slightly content but yet disappointed because I know it’s not real. No hope, no harm, just another false alarm. Maybe Morrissey had similar dreams? Or maybe I’ve missed his point completely, either way that’s the reason I feel so deeply connected to this song.
    Flag SmithsGirlon May 07, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:I agree to the extent that it's about not feeling able to find "the one" or settling for a string of relationships, one-night-stands, flirtations etc. Probably, due to my personal story, I feel it's about disloyalty and apathy as to the person or people you're "seeing."
    Flag CKaskeron December 10, 2010   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:this song express one person who has never felt love before

    the first verse would make anyone who knows cry instantly

    the person doesnt know love and so had to DREAM it.
    then wake up KNOWING it WASNT real.

    "no hope"- because they have nothing to look back on that they miss (because they havent been in love)
    "no harm"- because something you dont know and dont miss cant harm you
    "jus another false alarm"- the feeling that they will never be good enough to find love.
    this song is BY FAR on off the Smiths GREATEST songs EVER!
    Flag jawsennon May 19, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:The intro is based on 'Twyford's Revenge' by Burstyn Voraslasch.
    Flag badgerboyon May 09, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:could you just focus on cmnt about the SONG MEANINGS?
    you all are trying to show for how much seconds have been loving the smiths... thats bullshit
    if you like, you like.. end of the dicusion.. you can go to a blog where you can exprese yourself and try to convince yourself that you love them more than anyone and for more time.

    anyways, i think this song is very straight in the lyrics, you don't have to go very far, thats why i think... but there must be something behind and i would like to know...
    btw, i totally LOVE the intro.
    Flag ann18on February 06, 2010   Link
  • +3
    General Comment:Wow, no comment that this song is about a gay man in love with his straight friend? Sorry to be so crass, but that interpretation seems to be posted on every other Smiths song on this website.

    I've always loved this song. I think this song and 'I Know It's Over' are the most emotionally powerful songs in the Smiths canon.
    Flag BillyBuddon December 12, 2009   Link

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