this song is a total anthem. it combines morrissey's wit, sarcasm, anti-monarchy sentiments, a quick bit of animal rights, freud, sexuality, class warfare and more so i'm just going to ramble about those now.
i like the bit about the nine yr old who peddles drugs as it reminds me of my home town {yeah it's kind of rough, the dealers get younger all the time} but also makes a really nice contrast with him finding out he's related to 'some old queen or other'.
him finding out he's related to a royal family of some sort is classic moz irony. he's trying to make a case about nationalism and how ridiculous the monarchy is but finds himself ashamedly connected to it.
the class stuff is always pretty interesting in moz/smiths songs but here it is paticularly pertinent. he mentions two institutions in working class life - the church and the pub - yet people feel lonely without the queen. a connection could be made that britain sees the queen as like a mother, from whose apron strings we cannot be disentangled.
the WW1 song at the beginning is also interesting for two reasons - because of the nationalist sentiment drummed up during such a huge war effort, and because of the important role of the monarchy in symbolising national unity and strength during the time - perhaps why the 'boys' feel so 'lonely on a limb' once the queen is declared dead.
on another note, for britishers, can you believe David Cameron {current conservative/opposition/pro-monarchy leader} has this album on his I-pod? what a crapbag.
this song is a total anthem. it combines morrissey's wit, sarcasm, anti-monarchy sentiments, a quick bit of animal rights, freud, sexuality, class warfare and more so i'm just going to ramble about those now.
i like the bit about the nine yr old who peddles drugs as it reminds me of my home town {yeah it's kind of rough, the dealers get younger all the time} but also makes a really nice contrast with him finding out he's related to 'some old queen or other'.
him finding out he's related to a royal family of some sort is classic moz irony. he's trying to make a case about nationalism and how ridiculous the monarchy is but finds himself ashamedly connected to it. the class stuff is always pretty interesting in moz/smiths songs but here it is paticularly pertinent. he mentions two institutions in working class life - the church and the pub - yet people feel lonely without the queen. a connection could be made that britain sees the queen as like a mother, from whose apron strings we cannot be disentangled.
the WW1 song at the beginning is also interesting for two reasons - because of the nationalist sentiment drummed up during such a huge war effort, and because of the important role of the monarchy in symbolising national unity and strength during the time - perhaps why the 'boys' feel so 'lonely on a limb' once the queen is declared dead.
on another note, for britishers, can you believe David Cameron {current conservative/opposition/pro-monarchy leader} has this album on his I-pod? what a crapbag.
I agree - not the biggest David Cameron fan but LOVE this song.
I agree - not the biggest David Cameron fan but LOVE this song.
Brilliant analysis!
Brilliant analysis!