Unhappy Birthday by The Smiths Lyrics Meaning – Deciphering the Darkness of Morrissey’s Celebratory Despair
Lyrics
I’ve come to wish you an unhappy birthday
‘Cause you’re evil
And you lie
And if you should die
I may feel slightly sad
But I won’t cry
Loved and lost
And some may say
When usually it’s nothing
Surely you’re happy
It should be this way
I say no, I’m gonna kill my dog
May the lines sag, the lines sag heavy and deep tonight
I’ve come to wish you an unhappy birthday
I’ve come to wish you an unhappy birthday
‘Cause you’re evil
And you lie
And if you should die
I may feel slightly sad
But I won’t cry
Loved and lost
And some may say
When usually it’s nothing
Surely you’re happy
It should be this way
I said no
And then I shot myself
So, drink, drink, drink
And be ill tonight
From the one you left behind
From the one you left behind
From the one you left behind
From the one you left behind
Behind
Behind
Behind
Behind
Behind
Behind
Oh, unhappy birthday
Behind
Behind
Behind
Mournful revelry and the bitterness of letting go converge in The Smiths’ ‘Unhappy Birthday,’ a track off their 1987 album ‘Strangeways, Here We Come.’ On the surface, the song presents a twisted celebration, but beneath the ceremonial icing, it exudes painful undercurrents emanating from a broken relationship, betraying deeper themes of resentment and unrequited emotions.
The band, known for their jangling guitars and the plaintive croon of Morrissey, revels in crafting songs layered with meaning, often holding a mirror to the complexities of human emotions. ‘Unhappy Birthday’ unapologetically yet poetically tackles the ambivalence of a scorned heart, wrapped in the melancholic melody that often became the signature of The Smiths.
The Sardonic Serenade: Dissecting a Malicious Celebration
A first listen of ‘Unhappy Birthday’ might leave one with the impression of a simple, tongue-in-cheek snub aimed at an adversary. Morrissey’s voice, dripping with an almost palpable spite, suggests a personification of every bitter birthday wish one might secretly harbor against an enemy.
However, wrapped within the venomous ‘Cause you’re evil / And you lie’ lies an intricate web of sorrow. The acknowledgment that even in death, the protagonist’s sadness would be minimal, articulates a troubled connection laced with despair and disentanglement.
A Deeper Dive into the Eternal Struggle of Love and Resentment
‘Loved and lost’ sets the stage for a narrative of heartache, implying a previous love that has not only faded but also curdled into vexation. ‘Surely you’re happy / It should be this way’ confronts the listener with the anguish of someone who still cares, despite the impulse to wish ill on the once-loved one.
The contrast between societal expectations of moving on from loss and the internal turmoil faced by those scorned reflects the universal plight of maintaining dignity in the face of despair. It’s Morrissey wielding his lyrical craft to unveil the messiness of the human heart.
The Symbolism Behind the Desire to ‘Kill My Dog’ and ‘Shot Myself’
Far beyond the literal interpretation of the words lies a symbolism rich with the acknowledgment of self-harm following the demise of a cherished bond. To ‘kill my dog’ could be seen as cutting off the most faithful of companions – the love that was once trusted and pure.
In saying ‘and then I shot myself,’ Morrissey could be conveying the act of emotional suicide – destroying the part of the self that still feels for the other. It’s a poignant commentary on the self-destructive nature of holding onto a love turned sour.
Drowning in Melancholy: ‘Drink, Drink, Drink’
The imperative to ‘drink, drink, drink / And be ill tonight’ resonates as a call to not only numb the pain but to relish in the turmoil. It’s an artistic invitation to the listener to embrace the night with all its dark revelries and bitter toasting.
Morrissey doesn’t shy away from urging the listener into intoxication with the sickness of heartbreak. It’s a way to band together in the universal experience of loss, a dark communion of souls tethered by shared desolation.
The Haunting Repetition of ‘Behind’ – A Chorus of Abandonment
The relentless repetition of ‘from the one you left behind’ is more incantation than verse. It’s a chorus that grows with resonance upon each utterance, reflecting the persistent shadow of what’s been left unresolved.
The word ‘behind’ echoes as a stark reminder of those who remain in the aftermath of love’s departure. It serves as a metaphorical tattoo marking the protagonist with the indelible ink of the past, suggesting that for all the declarations of indifference, there remains an aching tether to what once was.
