Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others by The Smiths Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Understated Brilliance of Morrissey’s Musings
Lyrics
There is but one concern
I have just discovered
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girl’s mothers are bigger than other girl’s mothers
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girl’s mothers are bigger than other girl’s mothers
As Anthony said to Cleopatra
As he opened a crate of ale
Oh, I say
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girl’s mothers are bigger than other girl’s mothers
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girl’s mothers are bigger than other girl’s mothers
Send me the pillow
The one that you dream on
Send me the pillow
The one that you dream on
And I’ll send you mine
In the labyrinth of The Smiths’ discography, ‘Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others,’ from their seminal album ‘The Queen is Dead’, stands as a poetic quandary wrapped in the band’s signature jangly guitar work. At surface level, the lyrics penned by Morrissey might echo adolescence simplicity, yet, as with most works from the iconoclastic frontman, there rests a deeper resonance beneath.
Morrissey’s lyrical prowess has often turned the mundane into the meaningful. In dissecting ‘Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others,’ fans and critics alike uncover a tapestry of satire, societal critique, and the characteristic wistfulness that has turned The Smiths into a cornerstone of alternative rock.
The Subversion of Rock Lyrics
By the undeniable bard of the misanthropic and misunderstood, ‘Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others’ seemingly narrates the obvious, stating a physical diversity that hardly warrants a song. But therein lies the typical Morrissey twist. His illumination of the banal serves as a latent critique of rock music’s historical obsession with the female form. It’s the refusal to abide by the norm that has kept The Smiths at the forefront of alternative rock’s intellectual discourse.
The repetition of such a straightforward observation can be seen as a satirical poke at songwriting. Morrissey plays with the listener’s expectation for lyrical depth, only to deliver a chorus that’s as literal as it is confounding.
From Ice-Age to the Dole-Age – A Timeline of Concern
The song’s enigmatic opening line ‘From the ice-age to the dole-age / There is but one concern / I have just discovered’ toys with the concept of time and human preoccupation. These words beckon us to ponder the grandiose sweep of history, setting the stage for a profound revelation, only to pivot to an observation about body size, mocking our desire for the philosophical payoff.
This juxtaposition is not without merit. Morrissey invites contemplation on the constancy of societal and bodily issues, regardless of the epoch – that is, the timeless judgement and comparison of female bodies.
The Hidden Commentary on Societal Standards
In discussing the disparities between girls and, more pointedly, their mothers, Morrissey indirectly comments on the generational passage of beauty standards. The lyric, ‘Some girl’s mothers are bigger than other girl’s mothers,’ far from a throwaway line, calls into question the inheritance of body image issues and the societal pressures exerted upon women.
By presenting such comparisons in a way that’s both blasé and contradictory, Morrissey underscores a deliberately superficial societal value system. It’s an examination of the arbitrary nature of aesthetic judgments and a sly nod to feminism’s challenge to the status quo.
Ale and Cleopatra – Historical Wit or Mere Banter?
The curious invocation of Anthony and Cleopatra, one of history’s most romanticized couples, just as a crate of ale is opened, is classic Morrissey. It pivots the song into a realm of irony and humor. While Cleopatra’s beauty is legendary, the reference to ale immediately grounds the song in everyday triviality.
To discern whether the couplet is an allusion to a larger commentary on love and physicality or simply tipping the scales towards the comic remains part of the song’s enduring enigma. That Morrissey can weave historical allusions with the weight of pop culture suggests a literary depth unexplored by pundits.
The Pillow Metaphor – Resting on Romantic Idealism
Towards the coda of the song, a new element is introduced, though this time it takes a decidedly intimate turn with ‘Send me the pillow / The one that you dream on’. This line could be perceived as a yearning for connection or a shared experience, encapsulating the loneliness endemic to Morrissey’s lyrics. Simultaneously, it accentuates the odd juxtaposition of personal intimacy against the song’s earlier impersonal observations.
This imaginative transaction poses a wish for an emotional equivalent, which stands in stark contrast to the physical comments that preceded it. It is Morrissey crafting a narrative of longing within the seemingly mundane – an ode to sentimental yearning amid the comically blunt.
