The Smiths — I Know Its Over
Album: The Queen is DeadAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 172
Length: 5:40
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Oh mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
and as I climb into an empty bed
Oh well, enough said
I know it's over still I cling
I don't know where else I can go, mother
Oh mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
See, the sea wants to take me
the knife wants to slit me
Do you think you can help me?
Sad veiled bride, please be happy
Handsome groom, give her room
Loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly
although she needs you more than she loves you
And I know it's over
still I cling
I don't know where else I can go
it's over, it's over, it's over
I know it's over
and it never really began
but in my heart it was so real
and you even spoke to me and said:
"If you're so funny
then why are you on your own tonight?
and if you're so clever
then why are you on your own tonight?
if you're so very entertaining
then why are you on your own tonight?
if you're so very good looking
why do you sleep alone tonight?
I know because tonight is just like any other night
that's why you're on your own tonight
with your triumphs and your charms
while they are in each other's arms"
It's so easy to laugh
it's so easy to hate
it takes strength to be gentle and kind
it's over, over, over
It's so easy to laugh
it's so easy to hate
it takes guts to be gentle and kind
it's over, over, over
Love is natural and real
but not for you, my love
not tonight my love
Love is natural and real
but not for such as you and I, my love
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
and as I climb into an empty bed
Oh well, enough said
I know it's over still I cling
I don't know where else I can go, mother
Oh mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
See, the sea wants to take me
the knife wants to slit me
Do you think you can help me?
Sad veiled bride, please be happy
Handsome groom, give her room
Loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly
although she needs you more than she loves you
And I know it's over
still I cling
I don't know where else I can go
it's over, it's over, it's over
I know it's over
and it never really began
but in my heart it was so real
and you even spoke to me and said:
"If you're so funny
then why are you on your own tonight?
and if you're so clever
then why are you on your own tonight?
if you're so very entertaining
then why are you on your own tonight?
if you're so very good looking
why do you sleep alone tonight?
I know because tonight is just like any other night
that's why you're on your own tonight
with your triumphs and your charms
while they are in each other's arms"
It's so easy to laugh
it's so easy to hate
it takes strength to be gentle and kind
it's over, over, over
It's so easy to laugh
it's so easy to hate
it takes guts to be gentle and kind
it's over, over, over
Love is natural and real
but not for you, my love
not tonight my love
Love is natural and real
but not for such as you and I, my love
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Comments (49)add comment
I'm normally a Smiths supporter, but holy cow Moz is off-key in this song. Or as Randy Jackson would say, "That was kinda pitchy, dawg!"
(After reading the American Idol rants below, I couldn't help but make a reference.)
Migraine! Help!
Morrissey cracks me up!
This song highlights the singer's weak voice. Ugh.
More Moz and The Smiths!
You folks are taking Morrisey too seriously. Yes he does tend to whine and go on, but the lyrics are often tongue in cheek and very funny. And Johnny Marr's guitar is always a welcome listen, although this song admittedly isn't much of a showcase for Marr.
cdanthony wrote:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is it my imagination, or does RP play the Smiths or Morrissey at least once a day? Aren't things bad enough in the economy?... we have to suffer this as well?
A little less Morrissey, please?
...and this is not related to his not being able to sing ... I love Neil Young, but he's a genius.
A little less Morrissey, please?
...and this is not related to his not being able to sing ... I love Neil Young, but he's a genius.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a tough crowd for Smiths tunes. If I was starting fresh with Morrissey today, I'm certain I'd be leaving snarky comments here about the quality of his vocals.
But I was lucky enough to come across this album in high school. My standards were lower. I loved it then and formed a real bond with the work of Morrissey. (The Queen Is Dead is probably still in my all-time top 20 favorite album list.) I'm glad I get to hear this song through my own strongly sentimental filter. I continue to appreciate the intelligence of the lyrics and the hollow longing in Morrissey's off-kilter voice.
But I was lucky enough to come across this album in high school. My standards were lower. I loved it then and formed a real bond with the work of Morrissey. (The Queen Is Dead is probably still in my all-time top 20 favorite album list.) I'm glad I get to hear this song through my own strongly sentimental filter. I continue to appreciate the intelligence of the lyrics and the hollow longing in Morrissey's off-kilter voice.
Is it my imagination, or does RP play the Smiths or Morrissey at least once a day? Aren't things bad enough in the economy?... we have to suffer this as well?
A little less Morrissey, please?
...and this is not related to his not being able to sing ... I love Neil Young, but he's a genius.
A little less Morrissey, please?
...and this is not related to his not being able to sing ... I love Neil Young, but he's a genius.
ercasul wrote:
I haven't heard this in years, but I had a completely different reaction. Then, as now, I think it's a very interesting, bold vocal.
At his worst, Morrissey has a terrible tendency to sound like a donkey yodelling, and that was definitely at his worst. I do like a lot of Smiths stuff, but ... cheez.. this is a real off-day.
I haven't heard this in years, but I had a completely different reaction. Then, as now, I think it's a very interesting, bold vocal.
Perhaps the WORST "Smiths" tunes ever. Have not heard this one since I bought that LP back in the day...now I recall why. ;) Still, I love The Smiths' work and Morrissey's oddly depressing and uplifting vocalistic stylings.
Crap!
I WISH it were over.
Has anyone on here used that joke yet?
Has anyone on here used that joke yet?
ugh - near the end of this song, it's painful listening!
ercasul wrote:
I'M WITH YOU! He is so FLAT here.
At his worst, Morrissey has a terrible tendency to sound like a donkey yodelling, and that was definitely at his worst. I do like a lot of Smiths stuff, but ... cheez.. this is a real off-day.
I'M WITH YOU! He is so FLAT here.
At his worst, Morrissey has a terrible tendency to sound like a donkey yodelling, and that was definitely at his worst. I do like a lot of Smiths stuff, but ... cheez.. this is a real off-day.
Great choice!.....who said Morrisey can't sing. This is sheer delight! Long live the Smiths (no more)
Frater_Kork wrote:
I don't know... for me Americkan Fucking Idol feels more like the Invasion of the Barbarians eagerly goaded by the Ignorant Village Idiots. In essence it has lowered the common expectations of music to what can be expected in the shower. That impact works against all artists, no matter who we dig.
My gripe with morrisey and his brood is the self indulging emo attitude. The basic poetic points (life sucks, I'm a human) have been made over and over again by people with an awful lot more dignity, like Cash, Waits and Cohen for instance. This "oh waily waily the world is impacting on my ego - lets end it all preferrably with my equally neurotic gf in a crashing car" business rubs me all the wrong way and probably quite a few others.
In morrisseys case his quavery atonal voice is the main instrument in the waily waily drama orchestra, so maybe that is the first thing listeners lash out at instead of delving into the deeper sticky stuff.
Still, he is a poet and and artist daring to put forward his stuff and is successful, I respect him for that. But I do not like him.
See, that's actually an interesting reaction, though, as opposed to "Oh, this singer doesn't sound like Mariah Carey" or whoever. I don't agree with it, but it's well thought-out and not just the same old mindless knee-jerk reaction to someone who doesn't sing like Freddie Mercury. And I think "quavery atonal voice" is an almost perfect way to describe the way Morrissey sings (and I love Morrissey).
I don't know... for me Americkan Fucking Idol feels more like the Invasion of the Barbarians eagerly goaded by the Ignorant Village Idiots. In essence it has lowered the common expectations of music to what can be expected in the shower. That impact works against all artists, no matter who we dig.
My gripe with morrisey and his brood is the self indulging emo attitude. The basic poetic points (life sucks, I'm a human) have been made over and over again by people with an awful lot more dignity, like Cash, Waits and Cohen for instance. This "oh waily waily the world is impacting on my ego - lets end it all preferrably with my equally neurotic gf in a crashing car" business rubs me all the wrong way and probably quite a few others.
In morrisseys case his quavery atonal voice is the main instrument in the waily waily drama orchestra, so maybe that is the first thing listeners lash out at instead of delving into the deeper sticky stuff.
Still, he is a poet and and artist daring to put forward his stuff and is successful, I respect him for that. But I do not like him.
See, that's actually an interesting reaction, though, as opposed to "Oh, this singer doesn't sound like Mariah Carey" or whoever. I don't agree with it, but it's well thought-out and not just the same old mindless knee-jerk reaction to someone who doesn't sing like Freddie Mercury. And I think "quavery atonal voice" is an almost perfect way to describe the way Morrissey sings (and I love Morrissey).
"It's so easy to laugh,
It's so easy to hate,
It takes strength to be gentle and kind."
Especially when it comes to posting comments on Radio Paradise! The Smiths aren't all doom and gloom. The gloominess makes the beautiful notions like the one above stand out even more radiantly - and there's some great humour too! I think people miss that about Leonard Cohen's music too - there are some uplifting moments amongst the sadder thoughts. I'm not gonna draw any more comparisons between the two - except to say that I love them both. I would be sadder in a world that didn't have their sad and lovely songs.
It's so easy to hate,
It takes strength to be gentle and kind."
Especially when it comes to posting comments on Radio Paradise! The Smiths aren't all doom and gloom. The gloominess makes the beautiful notions like the one above stand out even more radiantly - and there's some great humour too! I think people miss that about Leonard Cohen's music too - there are some uplifting moments amongst the sadder thoughts. I'm not gonna draw any more comparisons between the two - except to say that I love them both. I would be sadder in a world that didn't have their sad and lovely songs.
holborne wrote:
I don't know... for me Americkan Fucking Idol feels more like the Invasion of the Barbarians eagerly goaded by the Ignorant Village Idiots. In essence it has lowered the common expectations of music to what can be expected in the shower. That impact works against all artists, no matter who we dig.
My gripe with morrisey and his brood is the self indulging emo attitude. The basic poetic points (life sucks, I'm a human) have been made over and over again by people with an awful lot more dignity, like Cash, Waits and Cohen for instance. This "oh waily waily the world is impacting on my ego - lets end it all preferrably with my equally neurotic gf in a crashing car" business rubs me all the wrong way and probably quite a few others.
In morrisseys case his quavery atonal voice is the main instrument in the waily waily drama orchestra, so maybe that is the first thing listeners lash out at instead of delving into the deeper sticky stuff.
Still, he is a poet and and artist daring to put forward his stuff and is successful, I respect him for that. But I do not like him.
I love The Smiths. And frankly, I'm getting really sick of people putting up the same comment over and over, not just about Morrissey, but a lot of artists we hear on RP, like Neil Young and David Byrne: "Who told this guy he could sing? He has a terrible voice!"
This is what American Fucking Idol has done to music in this country: everyone expects a lot of soulless melismatic wailing and emoting, but no one cares about lyrics, musicianship, production, phrasing, or anything else. If the singer doesn't sound like another Simon Cowell-approved clone: "Make him stop singing! He doesn't sound like Kelly or Clay!" It's ludicrous. It's like saying about Picasso, "Ew, what's this shit? The skin of the guy in the painting is blue and his head is square! Who ever told this guy he could paint?" The technique is not always the point, people.
This is what American Fucking Idol has done to music in this country: everyone expects a lot of soulless melismatic wailing and emoting, but no one cares about lyrics, musicianship, production, phrasing, or anything else. If the singer doesn't sound like another Simon Cowell-approved clone: "Make him stop singing! He doesn't sound like Kelly or Clay!" It's ludicrous. It's like saying about Picasso, "Ew, what's this shit? The skin of the guy in the painting is blue and his head is square! Who ever told this guy he could paint?" The technique is not always the point, people.
I don't know... for me Americkan Fucking Idol feels more like the Invasion of the Barbarians eagerly goaded by the Ignorant Village Idiots. In essence it has lowered the common expectations of music to what can be expected in the shower. That impact works against all artists, no matter who we dig.
My gripe with morrisey and his brood is the self indulging emo attitude. The basic poetic points (life sucks, I'm a human) have been made over and over again by people with an awful lot more dignity, like Cash, Waits and Cohen for instance. This "oh waily waily the world is impacting on my ego - lets end it all preferrably with my equally neurotic gf in a crashing car" business rubs me all the wrong way and probably quite a few others.
In morrisseys case his quavery atonal voice is the main instrument in the waily waily drama orchestra, so maybe that is the first thing listeners lash out at instead of delving into the deeper sticky stuff.
Still, he is a poet and and artist daring to put forward his stuff and is successful, I respect him for that. But I do not like him.
yeah, yeah.. the lyrics are very cool.. if only I could get past the voice. gag. sorry, but the best part of that one was when i knew it was over 
Reverse bell curve, at its finest. I suppose if I grew up with Smiths, yeah, but man, I can't help but be reminded of high school prom when I hear this.
I love The Smiths. And frankly, I'm getting really sick of people putting up the same comment over and over, not just about Morrissey, but a lot of artists we hear on RP, like Neil Young and David Byrne: "Who told this guy he could sing? He has a terrible voice!"
This is what American Fucking Idol has done to music in this country: everyone expects a lot of soulless melismatic wailing and emoting, but no one cares about lyrics, musicianship, production, phrasing, or anything else. If the singer doesn't sound like another Simon Cowell-approved clone: "Make him stop singing! He doesn't sound like Kelly or Clay!" It's ludicrous. It's like saying about Picasso, "Ew, what's this shit? The skin of the guy in the painting is blue and his head is square! Who ever told this guy he could paint?" The technique is not always the point, people.
This is what American Fucking Idol has done to music in this country: everyone expects a lot of soulless melismatic wailing and emoting, but no one cares about lyrics, musicianship, production, phrasing, or anything else. If the singer doesn't sound like another Simon Cowell-approved clone: "Make him stop singing! He doesn't sound like Kelly or Clay!" It's ludicrous. It's like saying about Picasso, "Ew, what's this shit? The skin of the guy in the painting is blue and his head is square! Who ever told this guy he could paint?" The technique is not always the point, people.
naysayers dont get it - the lyrics on this are just genius "sad vieled bride please be happy, handsome groom give her room, loud loutish lover treat her kindly, although she wants you more than she needs you..... if your so very entertaining, then why are you own your own tonight?"
Probably my favourite lyrical passage of all time.
Il go with the naysayers and agree that now and agian i find his voice hard to stomach, and is a bit of an acquired taste, but the music (Johnny Marr was better than Hendrix in my opinion) and the lyrics on their own are just genius. Got no soul if you dont dig the smiths.
We used to listen to this on saturday nights before we went out - get us in the mood for the night, like.
Since we all know the comment board is really just about being inflamatory, I'll just go with
Moz > God
and leave it at that.
I wish this song would be played more often...
I appreciate that Morrissey is an acquired taste - personally i love him and I\'ve given this a 9 - but even those that don\'t like his voice or The Smiths\' music must surely appreciate his lyrical talent?!
This song in particular is just brilliant in the way it articulates feelings of rejection and loneliness, particularly the section which asks \'... then why are you on your own tonight?\' 
The Smiths, handling feelings over simple music to enchance the lyrics. Brilliant.
I\'m at a loss for words to describe how truly fucking horrible this song is.
Originally Posted by cbj:
Ah, Morrissey....what could be finer... :D
Wow, that question was wide open but I'll be nice and just turn my speakers down for a while. Morrissey sounds so manufactured and plastic to me - and this song sounds like that noise when you leave the window in your car open just a little bit while barreling down the road -
oops, I was going to be nice - sorry. (by the way, I didn't try to tank it with a 1, I gave it a 3 for Ho Hum which is how it makes me feel)Dear God... is this song over yet?!?!
This is just plain horrible. I\'d rather listen to Tiny Tim than hear Morrisey bitch about how depressed he is.
Originally Posted by wilderbill:
Instead of "I Know Its Over",
how about "I Wish This Song Was Over"
AMEN!!!
Kill me now. This is excrutiating! 
Instead of \"I Know Its Over\",
how about \"I Wish This Song Was Over\"
Originally Posted by cbj:
Ah, Morrissey....what could be finer... :D
...being poked in the eye repeatedly with an ice pick.
This song is sad but very beautiful and moving. :)
I used to relate to the Smiths when I was a teenager, now I just enjoy listening to them. They have a simple, easy sound with lyrics that range from complex to humorous.
Thanks for playing them.
Marr Morrisey, Coke Pesi, Leno Letterman. Truly one of the best songwriting duos since the Beatles. There I said it.
Dot
\"So very entertaining...\" :D
Smiths and Cure in the same set....I\'m transported to my early college days. Just not the same without the adult beverages and mind altering substances. Don\'t think I really liked these bands back then either, but the \'mood\' was right. Now, sounding ho hum to me.
A little less Morrissey, please?
...and this is not related to his not being able to sing ... I love Neil Young, but he's a genius.
It's probably your imagination. Change the station when a Morrissey song comes on if you're suffering so much.