What Difference Does It Make? by The Smiths Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling Morrissey’s Poignant Enigma
Lyrics
So let it be known
We have been through hell and high tide
I think I can rely on you
And yet you start to recoil
Heavy words are so lightly thrown
But still, I’d leap in front of a flying bullet for you
So, what difference does it make?
So, what difference does it make?
It makes none, but
Now you have gone
And you must be looking very old tonight
The devil will find work for idle hands to do
I stole and I lied, and why?
Because you asked me to
But now you make me feel so ashamed
Because I’ve only got two hands
Well, I’m still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
So, what difference does it make?
Oh, what difference does it make?
Oh, it makes none
But now you have gone
And your prejudice won’t keep you warm tonight
Oh, the devil will find work for idle hands to do
I stole, and then I lied
Just because you asked me to
But now you know the truth about me
You won’t see me anymore
Well, I’m still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
But no more apologies
No more, no more apologies
Oh, I’m too tired
I’m so very tired
And I’m feeling very sick and ill today
But I’m still fond of you, oh-ho-oh
Oh, my sacred one
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
To distill the essence of The Smiths’ ‘What Difference Does It Make?’ is to peer into a prism of human emotion, with lyrical facets that reflect betrayal, self-reproach, and the perennial struggle with existential ennui. Vocalist Morrissey pairs his lilting melodies with Johnny Marr’s jangly guitar riffs to craft a song that traverses the gamut of raw feeling, camouflaged by the casual, almost flippant inquiry posed by its title.
The track, a staple of The Smiths’ canon, tantalizes with its blend of poetic vagueness and emotional specificity, inviting listeners to carve out their own interpretations. Scrutinizing the lyrics reveals a tension between actions and their seeming futility, effectively drawing a line that connects the personal to the philosophical. Here, we unpack the existential threads woven into Morrissey’s wordplay and the musicality that allows such a weighty message to be carried on the lightest of tunes.
The Alchemy of Anguish and Apathy
Peeling back the initial layers of ‘What Difference Does It Make?’ exposes the struggle between deep-seated pain and a façade of indifference. Morrissey articulates a narrative steeped in personal betrayal, where the introspection sparked by anguish leads to a chilling conclusion: in the grand scheme, perhaps nothing truly matters.
The juxtaposition of dedicated sacrifice (‘I’d leap in front of a flying bullet for you’) with rejection (‘And yet you start to recoil…’) forges a dichotomy that is palpable throughout the song. As the storyline progresses, the stoic query ‘What difference does it make?’ metamorphoses from a genuine question to a statement of resignation, encapsulating the singer’s journey from confusion to stark acceptance.
Struggling Against the Absurd: Echoes of Camus
Morrissey’s lyricism entertains a subtle dalliance with the philosophy of the absurd, reminiscent of Albert Camus. The narrative embodies a sense of awareness that all efforts may be inherently meaningless (‘The devil will find work for idle hands to do’), and the chorus offers an existential shrug that would make Camus’s Sisyphus nod with recognition.
However, The Smiths never let the song descend into the depths of nihilism. Instead, there’s an undercurrent of rebellion against the notion that everything is without significance, even as Morrissey acknowledges the void. Even as he declares his own weariness and sickness, it is evident that there remains a spark – an undying fondness for the unnamed ‘sacred one’ that suggests connection persists despite the existential quandary.
The Aural Tapestry: Marr’s Melodic Counterbalance
Johnny Marr’s guitar work on ‘What Difference Does It Make?’ serves as the perfect counterpoint to Morrissey’s heavyhearted vocals. Marr’s jangle is insistent and alive, lending a sense of urgency and movement that propels the song forward, almost tricking the ear into a state of joy – a masterful illustration of how The Smiths achieved their signature cognitive dissonance.
This sonic contrast mimics the internal conflict at the heart of the song – between lingering attachment and the one who has ‘gone,’ between the weight of knowing and the temptation to feign indifference. Marr’s melodies are as much a character in this narrative as Morrissey’s voice, adding complexity that elevates the music into a realm of bittersweet richness.
Embracing the Melancholic Wisdom
At its core, the song is an examination of self-awareness and the human condition. Through his confessional ‘All men have secrets and here is mine,’ Morrissey introduces us to the melancholic wisdom that plagues his thoughts. The acceptance of one’s limitations (‘Because I’ve only got two hands’) and the admission of wrongdoing for a cherished one hints at an inherent human desire to be accepted, flaws and all.
When intimate revelations are met with prejudice or coldness, the emotional labor often transforms into a sense of weariness and illness – perhaps not just a physical manifestation, but an all-encompassing exhaustion borne from the constant search for validation in a world that might not care to offer any. This vulnerability becomes the final tribute to the human spirit that perseveres in the face of sorrow and indifferences.
The Lyrical Legacy: Piercing the Veil of Morrissey’s Muse
Morrissey’s prowess as a lyricist shines in his ability to articulate universal emotional experiences. ‘What Difference Does It Make?’ becomes less a question than a profound statement on the human experience. From rebellion to acceptance, the song’s memorable lines carry an amplitude that resonates with anyone who has ever questioned the point of it all.
The Smiths never did condescend to provide easy answers to the questions they asked through their music. Instead, they laid bare the complexities of life, love, and loss, all set to melodies that have endured as much for their infectiousness as for their ability to cut to the heart of what it means to feel deeply, profoundly human.
