Bigmouth Strikes Again by The Smiths Lyrics Meaning – Peeling Back the Layers of Morrissey’s Witty Lament
Lyrics
When I said I’d like to smash every tooth
In your head
Oh oh oh
Sweetness, sweetness, I was only joking
When I said by rights you
Should be bludgeoned in your bed
And now I know how Joan of Arc felt
Now I know how Joan of Arc felt
As the flames rose to her Roman nose
And her Walkman started to melt
Bigmouth, la-da-da-da-da, bigmouth, la-da-da-da
Bigmouth strikes again
And I’ve got no right to take my place
With the human race
Oh oh oh oh oh
Bigmouth, la-da-da-da-da, bigmouth, la-da-da-da
Bigmouth strikes again
And I’ve got no right to take my place
With the human race
And now I know how Joan of Arc felt
Now I know how Joan of Arc felt
As the flames rose to her Roman nose
And her hearing aid started to melt
Bigmouth, la-da-da-da-da, bigmouth, la-da-da-da
Bigmouth strikes again
And I’ve got no right to take my place
With the human race
Oh oh oh oh oh
Bigmouth, la-da-da-da-da, bigmouth, la-da-da-da
Bigmouth strikes again
And I’ve got no right to take my place
With the human race
Oh oh oh oh oh
Bigmouth, oh oh oh oh, bigmouth, la-da-da-da
Bigmouth strikes again
And I’ve got no right to take my place
With the human race
Oh oh oh oh oh
Bigmouth, la-da-da-da-da, bigmouth, la-da-da-da
Bigmouth strikes again
And I’ve got no right to take my place
With the human race
Decades after its release, The Smiths’ ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ remains a sterling example of Morrissey’s acerbic wit and Johnny Marr’s jangly guitar prowess. A deceptively upbeat track from their 1986 album, ‘The Queen is Dead,’ this song encapsulates the intricate marriage of sardonic lyrics with effervescent music that has come to define The Smiths’ legacy.
At first listen, the lyrics paint a twisted image of retribution and remorse. However, a deeper dive reveals a multifaceted narrative that deftly balances humour with the sting of societal and self-critique. The following sections uncover the essence of this iconic track, its controversial zeal, and the timeless appeal that keeps it lodged firmly in the hearts of music lovers.
The Jester’s Regret: Understanding the Sardonic Apology
The song opens with a seemingly brutal confession, a hyperbolic claim of violence that grabs the listener’s attention. ‘Sweetness, sweetness, I was only joking when I said…’ These lines embody Morrissey’s knack for theatrical and macabre humour, a tool to engage and provoke. It’s the lament of the ‘bigmouth,’ an admission of words spoken in jest that have perhaps cut too deeply.
Morrissey’s character here is not just making a joke; he is self-aware, reflecting on the impact of his flippant remarks. It’s a masterful exploration of the relationship between the speaker and the spoken word, acknowledging the power they hold and the consequences they can have—intended or otherwise.
Joan of Arc’s Fiery Symbolism: The Martyr Within
The recurring references to Joan of Arc stand as one of the most vivid metaphors in the song. As an emblem of martyrdom and persecution, Joan’s experience parallels the feeling of being misunderstood and punished for one’s beliefs or statements. This can be seen as a representation of Morrissey’s own experiences with media scrutiny and public misjudgment.
The melting Walkman (or hearing aid, in a subsequent verse) signifies the end of solitude and peace, perhaps a nod to the destruction of personal sanctuaries in the face of public outcry. Morrissey uses these historical and modern elements to underscore the timeless nature of such trials, connecting past and present, the personal and the universal.
A Lyrical Self-Ostracism: The Human Race Rejection
One of the more poignant confessions repeated in the chorus reveals a sense of self-imposed exile: ‘And I’ve got no right to take my place with the human race.’ This line is charged with resignation, hinting at a self-deprecating acknowledgment of what it means to constantly be the ‘bigmouth,’ alienating oneself through one’s own voice.
Rather than seeking absolution, the speaker seems to cast themselves out, a voluntary pariah who doesn’t fit within the confines of conventional society. It’s a feeling familiar to many who grapple with the tension between self-expression and the desire to belong, making it one of the song’s most relatable, if melancholic, revelations.
Heralding the Dance of Misfits
Despite its subject matter, or perhaps because of it, ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ propels listeners to an almost compulsive need to move. Johnny Marr’s iconic, ringing guitar coupled with Morrissey’s soaring vocal delivery transforms the song into an anthem for misfits—a celebratory dance that unifies those who have felt the sting of their own outspoken nature.
This juxtaposition of upbeat music with cutting lyrics is more than just a stylistic choice; it serves as a reminder that joy can coexist with pain, that the very act of owning one’s narrative, warts and all, is a form of resistance and empowerment.
Unwrapping the Enigma: The Hidden Meaning in Plain Sight
At its core, ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ is a dazzling exercise in subtext. While many focus on the song’s overt themes, there is a subtle undercurrent that suggests a critique on the nature of communication. Morrissey’s lyrics challenge the listener to consider how often truth is hidden in plain sight, obscured by bravado or humor.
This track is not merely an exposition of the singer’s regret or a commentary on historical martyrdom. It is also a prompt, beckoning us to listen more closely, to question the masks that words can create, and to consider the impact of what we say—both on ourselves and on the world around us.
