I Won’t Share You by The Smiths Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Heart’s Uncompromising Plea
Lyrics
I won’t share you
With the drive
And ambition
The zeal I feel
This is my time
The note I wrote
As she read, she said
“Has the Perrier gone
Straight to my head
Or is life sick and cruel, instead?”
“Yes!”
No – no – no – no – no – no
No – no – no – no – no – no
Oh…
I won’t share you, no
I won’t share you
With the drive
And the dreams inside
This is my time
Life tends to come and go
That’s OK
As long as you know
Life tends to come and go
As long as you know
Know, know, know, know, know
Know, know, know, know
Oh…
I won’t share you, no
I won’t share you
With the drive
And the dreams inside
This is my time
I want the freedom and I want the guile
I want the freedom and the guile
Oh, life tends to come and go
As long as you know
Know, know, know, know
Know, know, know, know
Oh…
I won’t share you, no
I won’t share you
I’ll see you somewhere
I’ll see you sometime
Darling…
In the pantheon of The Smiths’ poignant and poetic compositions, ‘I Won’t Share You’ resonates as a declaration of unwavering commitment amidst personal metamorphosis. The track, which appears on the band’s 1987 album ‘Strangeways, Here We Come,’ stands as a testament to their ability to blend haunting melodies with introspective lyrics.
Upon a closer examination, the song reveals layers of complexity that transcend its seemingly straightforward missive. Through a deep dive into the nuanced verbiage and expressive delivery, an exploration of yearning, identity, possession, and change unfolds—a ballad ensnaring hearts with its beautifully tormented soul.
The Unyielding Oath of Singular Affection
At its core, ‘I Won’t Share You’ operates as a love song, but it defies the tropes of blissful romances or break-up tragedies. Instead, it carves out a space of relentless fidelity. There’s a tension between the singer’s desire for exclusivity and the knowledge that life is transient and ever-changing.
As the title refrain repeats, it becomes less of a possessive statement and more of a manifesto about the nature of love. It is a promise that extends beyond temporal concerns and into the realm of the intangible, where emotions and convictions outlast the ebb and flow of life’s circumstances.
Ambition and Zeal: The Metaphors Driving the Heart
The song’s repeated mention of ‘the drive and the dreams inside’ signifies more than just romantic pursuit. It illustrates an internal combustion engine of hopes and aspirations, driving through the fog of existence. The character in the song seems to claim their moment in the spotlight not just romantically, but existentially.
This ambition reflects a refusal to share their object of affection not only with another person but also with the distracting pressures and responsibilities of life that can lead lovers to drift apart. The narrator’s sentiment passionately protects both their love and their personal journey.
Hidden Meaning: A Reflection on The Smiths’ Own Curtain Call
When viewed through the lens of The Smiths’ history, the song takes on a meta-narrative aspect. ‘Strangeways, Here We Come’ was the last album before the band’s dissolution, and the lyrics almost pre-empt the fracturing of the group while clinging to the uniqueness of their musical harmony.
The song can be interpreted as lead singer Morrissey’s refusal to dilute the essence of The Smiths, sharing it neither with external forces in the music industry nor with the inevitable changes that can alter a band’s course. The allegory of the relationship mirrors the intimate bond between the band members and their creative vision.
Notable Quandaries: ‘Has the Perrier gone straight to my head?’
Among the enigmatic lines that puncture this composition, the questioning of whether ‘the Perrier’ has gone to the head injects a moment of humor and absurdity. The choice of such a bourgeois symbol like mineral water—unlike the commonality of alcohol—adds an ironic lightness to a moment of deep, existential pondering.
This satirical interlude could also signify the intoxication of fame and success, comparing it to the disorienting effects of sparkling water, creating a fizzy disarray. The Smiths were no strangers to imbuing their music with sardonic wit alongside profound reflection.
Memorable Lines: ‘This is my time’ – A Profound Assertion of Self
What remains most striking about ‘I Won’t Share You’ is its chorus’s recurring line: ‘This is my time.’ This phrase rings throughout the song as both a chant of self-determination and an acknowledgment of a peak in an individual’s narrative.
The raw vulnerability of admitting to the apex of one’s life, coupled with the determination to selfishly guard it, resonates deeply with listeners. It’s a plea to let the moment linger, uncloaked and undisturbed by the transient nature of human relationships.
