These Things Take Time by The Smiths Lyrics Meaning – A Lyrical Dissection of Patience and Growth
Lyrics
You took me behind a dis-used railway line
And said “I know a place where we can go
Where we are not known”
And then you gave me something that I won’t forget too soon
But I can’t believe that you’d ever care
And this is why you will never care
But these things take time
I know that I’m
The most inept
That ever stepped
I’m spellbound, oh…but a woman divides
And the hills are alive with celibate cries
But you know where you came from, you know where
You’re going and you know where you belong
You said I was ill, and you were not wrong
But I can’t believe that you’d ever care
And so, you will never care
But these things take time
And I know that I’m
The most inept
That ever stepped
Oh, the alcoholic afternoons
When we sat in your rooms
They meant more to me
Than any, than any living thing on earth
They had more worth
Than any living thing on earth
On earth, on earth, oh …
Vivid and in your prime
You will leave me behind
You will leave me behind
Morrissey wields his pen like a scalpel, dissecting the human experience with a precision that borders on surgical. In The Smiths’ track ‘These Things Take Time,’ we are presented with layers of emotion wrapped in the gauze of the band’s jangling guitars and moody aesthetic. The song offers a raw and candid exploration of self-awareness, personal growth, and the often-painful understanding that some aspects of life cannot be rushed.
The beauty of The Smiths lies in their ability to present the mundane and the existential in the same breath, encapsulating the universal struggle of seeking love and recognition. ‘These Things Take Time’ is a vessel filled with such melancholic wisdom, and as we parse through its verses, we uncover a narrative that resonates with anyone who has ever grappled with the pangs of becoming.
The Journey from Naivety to Knowledge in The Smiths’ Classic Tune
In the opening lines, Morrissey, the band’s enigmatic frontman, introduces us to the ‘sacred wunderkind,’ a reference laden with irony to his own youthful idealism. The song’s protagonist is led to a secret place, a metaphor for the intimate moments shared with another where one is vulnerable and open to new experiences. However, this vulnerability quickly reveals a sobering truth—these interpersonal connections often come with an expectation of reciprocity that is not always met.
‘But I can’t believe that you’d ever care / And this is why you will never care,’ Morrissey laments, encapsulating the cold realization that sometimes our emotional investments yield no returns. Here, amid the disenchanting coming-of-age tale, lies an intrinsic part of growing up—a lesson in the futility of unrequited effort.
The Undeniable Wisdom in Morrissey’s Melancholy
It’s in the chorus that the heart of the song pulsates with clarity, ‘These things take time / I know that I’m / The most inept / That ever stepped.’ There’s a bittersweet acceptance of one’s flaws and limitations, sung with an almost defiant understanding that some personal transformations cannot be hastened. Morrissey’s admission of his own ineptitude is not a signal of defeat but a humble acknowledgment of human imperfection.
The idea that time is the great mender, the unseen catalyst for personal growth, is weaved throughout the narrative of the song. The process is painful, yet unavoidable, and it’s within this painful wait that we find the essence of maturity.
An Ode to the Unspoken, Unappreciated Moments of Clarity
The Smiths have always excelled at elevating the trivial to the profound, and ‘These Things Take Time’ is no exception. Morrissey’s mention of ‘alcoholic afternoons’ spent in rooms holds a mirror up to the moments that, while appearing insignificant to others, are cherished fragments of the past that carry immense personal significance.
The vivid recollections of these afternoons serve as landmarks in the protagonist’s journey, signifying periods of growth and the quiet comfort found in companionship. It speaks to the human tendency to find meaning and solace in the everyday experiences that, while fleeting, shape who we are.
The Haunting Hidden Semblance of Spurned Love
Diving deeper beneath the surface, ‘These Things Take Time’ reveals a painful recognition that often accompanies young love and lust—the imbalanced passion where one party yearns far more than the other. Morrissey encapsulates this sentiment in the haunting line ‘And the hills are alive with celibate cries,’ painting a stark portrait of unrequited desires echoing in solitude.
The song, therefore, becomes a poignant exploration of self-worth in the face of indifference, serving as an elegy for those whose love and devotion remain unseen and unreturned. The pain is palpable as the artist resigns himself to be ‘vivid and in your prime / You will leave me behind,’ accepting the transient nature of youthful connections.
Memorable Lines That Echo the Loneliness of Self-Discovery
Few artists can craft a phrase that resonates long after the song has ended, but The Smiths have this down to an art form. ‘They meant more to me / Than any, than any living thing on earth / They had more worth / Than any living thing on earth,’ Morrissey reflects, emphasizing the profound impact that such moments of interpersonal connection hold over him.
By highlighting these lines, we’re reminded that as we navigate the journey of self-discovery, we inevitably imprint these experiences onto the fabric of our being. ‘These Things Take Time’ serves as a reminder that the path to true self-awareness is paved with both pain and patience, a refrain exemplified by Morrissey’s emotive delivery and the song’s charged lyrics.
