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The Smiths — I Started Something I Couldn't Finish
Album: Strangeways, Here We Come
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1315









Released: 1987
Length: 3:42
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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The lanes were silent
There was nothing, no one, nothing around for miles
I doused our friendly venture
With a hard-faced three-word gesture

I started something, I forced you to a zone
And you were clearly never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted, typical me, typical me, typical me
I started something and now I'm not too sure

I grabbed you by the gilded beams
That's what tradition means
And I doused another venture
With a gesture that was absolutely vile

I started something, I forced you to a zone
And you were clearly never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted, typical me, typical me, typical me
I started something and now I'm not too sure

I grabbed you by the gilded beams
That's what tradition means
And now eighteen months' hard labour seems
Fair enough

I started something, I forced you to a zone
And you were clearly never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted, typical me, typical me, typical me
I started something and now I'm not too sure

I started something, I started something

Typical me, typical me, typical me, typical me
Typical me, typical me, typical me
I started something and now I'm not too sure
Comments (92)add comment
Here in 2024 I am feeling smug about my much younger self, who always thought that Mars was a brilliant artist, but Morrissey was an insufferable narcisist, and finally I am in tune with the Zeigeist.
Posted 1 week ago by DavidS_UK    [ Reply ]
"Sometimes you start something you shouldn't otta finish." - Bill.
And that's how we got the blues.
Posted 1 year ago by mrpixel    [ Reply ]
 GingerandMe wrote:


Just keep loving The Smiths, they are sooooo worth it my friend.

i do just when i hear any of morrisey solo stuff i grt ill
Posted 1 year ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 jp33442 wrote:

i love the smiths just can’t stand morrisey, so i feel very conflicted.



Just keep loving The Smiths, they are sooooo worth it my friend.
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
i love the smiths just can’t stand morrisey, so i feel very conflicted.
Posted 1 year ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 Jayesea wrote:

RIP Andy Rourke.



I actually met Andy Rourke years ago, we were at a mutual friend's wedding. What a nice, gentle man he was..
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
RIP Andy Rourke.

Posted 1 year ago by Jayesea    [ Reply ]
 tm wrote:

This Morrissey “hatred” is all media manufactured folks… and yet here we are on all places RP regurgitating it all back. Love the voice and words. Morrissey isnt the devil you think he is.



His defence of Tommy Robinson is difficult to square with the character I used to idolise when I was in my teens. 
Posted 2 years ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
 tm wrote:

This Morrissey “hatred” is all media manufactured folks… and yet here we are on all places RP regurgitating it all back. Love the voice and words. Morrissey isnt the devil you think he is.



Absurd. I'm 58 and have been a Smiths fan since high school. Morrissey fancies himself a contrarian, but he's proven to me over the years, through his own words and not the "media",  to be nothing more than an arrogant fool. 
Posted 2 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
I just detest his voice and all music by the Smiths.  
Posted 2 years ago by tkelley    [ Reply ]
 tm wrote:

This Morrissey “hatred” is all media manufactured folks… and yet here we are on all places RP regurgitating it all back. Love the voice and words. Morrissey isnt the devil you think he is.


Here you are. Why would the media be doing that? I think he has genuinely developed - how can I say - an older man's views on "what tradition means".
Posted 2 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
This Morrissey “hatred” is all media manufactured folks… and yet here we are on all places RP regurgitating it all back. Love the voice and words. Morrissey isnt the devil you think he is.
Posted 2 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 ShaunJ wrote:

Don't worry, you are not alone as I am cramming 5 days into 4 this week before vacation {#Cheers}




Hah - 12:34 am doing the same -- doing 2 weeks worth of work in 2 days so I can take 2 weeks off! (thank you RP, you make it all possible!)
Posted 2 years ago by pdibby    [ Reply ]
I love the gutteral groan/growl in this one. What a band. No matter how much I can't stand what Morrissey is now, this band just it for me. Now where are my gladiolas? 
Posted 2 years ago by bialia    [ Reply ]
 Grayson wrote:
Lawd with Bill today! Now he's trying to bait us into a Morrissey-related fight. Talk about shooting fish in a barrel. 


Bill's right, Johnny Marr really does know how to kick off a song. BTW, I was lucky enough to see the Modest Mouse tour (Good News For People Who Love Bad News?) in which Johnny Marr played on that album and tour. It was excellent, as you may expect! Johnny's guitar was impeccable and I'll never forget his bow at the end of the concert. It was very classy. A classiness that, in fact, is in contrast to a certain singer Johnny used to be in a band with...
Posted 2 years ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
What a band?! One of a kind! 
Posted 2 years ago by xc.farmer.antoine486    [ Reply ]
Lawd with Bill today! Now he's trying to bait us into a Morrissey-related fight. Talk about shooting fish in a barrel. 
Posted 3 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
 tg3k wrote:

Anything "Smiths" or "Morrisey" related earns a quick trip to the Pause button. Bleah.




To bring this up to 2021, Bill has given us the amazing 'skip' button... Same sentiment, different tech 
Posted 3 years ago by meanderer    [ Reply ]
Of late, Morrisey started concerts he couldn't finish.
Posted 3 years ago by cavemanleong    [ Reply ]
Feeling Good
Posted 4 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
Truly great and underrated guitarist.
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
new self-starter.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 gratefulgator wrote:
Perfect song for today, as I try to finish approximately 968 projects this week, before going on vacation... (typical me)

 
Don't worry, you are not alone as I am cramming 5 days into 4 this week before vacation {#Cheers}
Posted 9 years ago by ShaunJ    [ Reply ]
Perfect song for today, as I try to finish approximately 968 projects this week, before going on vacation... (typical me)
Posted 9 years ago by gratefulgator    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:
Johnny Mars!!!!!
mars-1
 
https://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/lyricwiki/images/b/b1/Johnny_Mathis_-_Johnny_Mathis.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100515075451
Posted 9 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 hempmandan wrote:
Jonny Marr!!!!!
 
 
Johnny Mars!!!!!
mars-1
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Jonny Marr!!!!!
 
Posted 9 years ago by hempmandan    [ Reply ]
"18 months hard labor...seems fair enough"

What a card!
Posted 11 years ago by Pharlap    [ Reply ]
 Poacher wrote:

Interesting. A holiday walking around and around a field in Ireland endlessly listening to a Smiths cassette. . . bet that was a holiday to remember.
 
I absolutely laughed my ass off when I read this.
Posted 12 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
Nice one Mozza!
Posted 12 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:


You seem to be awake enough to write comments and post enlarged emoticons.
 

Good one! You crack me up, Proclivities.
Posted 12 years ago by olivertwist    [ Reply ]
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
I bought this album on cassette and listened to it over an again walking around a field in Dublin on a family holiday there in November 1987. It was and it is awesome.
 
Interesting. A holiday walking around and around a field in Ireland endlessly listening to a Smiths cassette. . . bet that was a holiday to remember.


Posted 13 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:


You seem to be awake enough to write comments and post enlarged emoticons.
 

Many guys suffer from enlarged emoticons when they sleep y'know.
Posted 13 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Shut up, please. You're brutal.
Posted 13 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
 dedawson wrote:
Please sir, no more Morrissey. {#Stop}
 

 dedawson wrote:
Please sir, no more Morrissey.{#No}
 

 dedawson wrote:
Ya know, after all these years, the sound of Morrissey still puts me to... ZZZ zzz ZZZ zzz
 

You seem to be awake enough to write comments and post enlarged emoticons.
Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
I bought this album on cassette and listened to it over an again walking around a field in Dublin on a family holiday there in November 1987. It was and it is awesome.
 

{#Yes}
Posted 13 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
j'adore...
Posted 13 years ago by suesblues    [ Reply ]
I bought this album on cassette and listened to it over an again walking around a field in Dublin on a family holiday there in November 1987. It was and it is awesome.
Posted 13 years ago by GuiltyFeat    [ Reply ]
Listening to this song, I am suddenly back in high school, swooning with The Smiths and drowning in teen angst.
Despite this (or maybe because of this), I adore it!
Posted 13 years ago by Kristi    [ Reply ]
More Morrissey! Can't ever have enough.
Posted 14 years ago by SlinkyJ    [ Reply ]
 horstman wrote:


I'd prefer it you'd just cut off your hands!
 
But then I'd still be hearing it and couldn't reach the pencil. The guy sings like a child who has never developed his vocal range.

  It bores me.

Posted 14 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
 Nettle wrote:
morrisey is so borish. he always speaks of his meloncholic drivel.
 
First, get yourself a good spell checker! We will get to your bad taste later.

Posted 14 years ago by Fables85    [ Reply ]
 bokey wrote:

It's quicker if you just jam a pencil into your eardrum.

 

I'd prefer it you'd just cut off your hands!
Posted 14 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
"and 15 years hard labor...seems fair enough to me."

Ha Ha. That's priceless. No one has a mind quite like Stephen Patrick Morrissey.
Posted 14 years ago by Pharlap    [ Reply ]
wow I guess you either love them or hate them huh lol
Posted 14 years ago by peacockangel    [ Reply ]
 Smoove_D wrote:
Well I'll be darned. A Smiths song that I don't mind. Now if only someone else could be singing...
 
Wow, you must be my twin separated at birth!! {#High-five} I love The Onion, too!!


Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 tg3k wrote:
Anything "Smiths" or "Morrisey" related earns a quick trip to the Pause button. Bleah.
 
It's quicker if you just jam a pencil into your eardrum.

Posted 15 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
Well I'll be darned. A Smiths song that I don't mind. Now if only someone else could be singing...
Posted 15 years ago by Smoove_D    [ Reply ]
 EssexTex wrote:
I can't be bothered to comment on this song....oh!
 
It looks like you started something that you couldn't finish. {#Wink}

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 dedawson wrote:
Please sir, no more Morrissey.{#No}
 
dedawson wrote:
Please sir, no more Morrissey. {#Stop}
 
well... you make yourself quite clear

Posted 15 years ago by mirage    [ Reply ]
Bleh...
Posted 15 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
Please sir, no more Morrissey. {#Stop}
Posted 15 years ago by dedawson    [ Reply ]
 Alexandra wrote:
HELL yes!!!! {#Guitarist}
 

What she said!
Posted 15 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Typical me...
Posted 15 years ago by MacHazzer    [ Reply ]
Please sir, no more Morrissey.{#No}
Posted 15 years ago by dedawson    [ Reply ]
Nettle wrote:
morrisey is so borish. he always speaks of his meloncholic drivel.

Yeah he should see a doctor about that.

Posted 15 years ago by rez    [ Reply ]
Love me some Smiths! This song, though - not one I'd choose...
Posted 15 years ago by alaken    [ Reply ]
 tg3k wrote:
Anything "Smiths" or "Morrisey" related earns a quick trip to the Pause button. Bleah.
 
{#Yes}

Posted 15 years ago by von_Hayek    [ Reply ]
 Gryn wrote:

Or at least a changing of music channels.

 
yep

Posted 15 years ago by betsyroks    [ Reply ]
 tg3k wrote:
Anything "Smiths" or "Morrisey" related earns a quick trip to the Pause button. Bleah.
 
Or at least a changing of music channels.

Posted 16 years ago by Gryn    [ Reply ]
Anything "Smiths" or "Morrisey" related earns a quick trip to the Pause button. Bleah.
Posted 16 years ago by tg3k    [ Reply ]

BANTER!!
Posted 16 years ago by rtb    [ Reply ]
Nettle wrote:
morrisey is so borish. he always speaks of his meloncholic drivel.

It's great to see people not let spelling get in the way of a good bicker!
(sorry if I've missed the point of a clever joke here)

Posted 16 years ago by luca77    [ Reply ]
HELL yes!!!! {#Guitarist}
Posted 16 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
 Nettle wrote:

morrisey is so borish. he always speaks of his meloncholic drivel.


 

I know of many people who do the same... what a reflection of real people, this morrisey character!

Posted 16 years ago by songbirdfemme    [ Reply ]
morrisey is so borish. he always speaks of his meloncholic drivel.
Posted 16 years ago by Nettle    [ Reply ]
Panama_Floyd wrote:
An 8, just because I'd like to hear something other than "How Soon is Now" every once in awhile. I love "How Soon is Now", but the terrestrial radio seems to have chosen it as their token Smiths song. Even the university & public radio here plays little else.
The problem with "How Soon IS Now" is that Tatu did a better version.
Posted 16 years ago by wferrier    [ Reply ]
EssexTex wrote:
I can't be bothered to comment on this song....oh!
When I'm listening to this song I think about life and I think about death and neither one particularly appeals to me. Shazam!
Posted 16 years ago by esotericderek    [ Reply ]
I can't be bothered to comment on this song....oh!
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
I would go for "lesser-known Smiths" ... If there were lesser-known Smiths that should be played ever again.
Posted 16 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Great tune, great album!
Posted 17 years ago by htowncoog    [ Reply ]
Ya know, after all these years, the sound of Morrissey still puts me to... ZZZ zzz ZZZ zzz
Posted 17 years ago by dedawson    [ Reply ]
Shesdifferent wrote:
Ingrained into my brain note for note.
Kind of like a lobotomy.
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
No...not so much
Posted 17 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
W e A K
Posted 17 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
An 8, just because I'd like to hear something other than "How Soon is Now" every once in awhile. I love "How Soon is Now", but the terrestrial radio seems to have chosen it as their token Smiths song. Even the university & public radio here plays little else.
Posted 17 years ago by Panama_Floyd    [ Reply ]
Yeah, the lesser known Smiths. Grabs me by the scruff of the neck every time. That's what tradition means...
Posted 17 years ago by Rockabobbie    [ Reply ]
Cruithne3753 wrote:
Posted 17 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
More Smiths please.
Posted 17 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill
Posted 17 years ago by Austin2Florida    [ Reply ]
poor morrisey. nothing ever goes his way
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
i love it when these smiths songs i'd completely forgotten about come on...
Posted 17 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
RichardPrins wrote:
Posted 18 years ago by Cruithne3753    [ Reply ]
Takes me back to my Madchester days...give us "Un happy Birthday" timeless in its bitter snarl.
Posted 18 years ago by patreezia    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
dianneluna wrote:
YAY!
I for one couldn't agree more. Bill, play more Smiths! I was lucky enough to have seen these guys live. It was amazing!
Posted 18 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
Both Morrissey and Marr started a band...they couldn't finish! Typical Moz!
Posted 18 years ago by dionysius    [ Reply ]
Ingrained into my brain note for note.
Posted 18 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
I think that my "stolen morrissey's verses" on the left can explain so well why sometimes people can't stand him.... you can love him.... or you can hate him... which is your choice?
Posted 18 years ago by exciter76    [ Reply ]
YAY!
Posted 18 years ago by dianneluna    [ Reply ]
I just can't stand Morissey's voice!
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
First!
Posted 18 years ago by p4jkafla    [ Reply ]