Suedehead
Morrissey
The Haunting Presence of a Past Love in Morrissey's 'Suedehead'
Morrissey's 'Suedehead' is a song that delves into the complexities of a past relationship and the lingering presence of an ex-lover. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and confusion as the singer questions the motives behind the ex-partner's continued intrusion into their life. The repeated apologies suggest a mix of sarcasm and genuine bewilderment, emphasizing the unwanted attention and the emotional turmoil it causes.
The song's chorus, 'Why do you come here when you know it makes things hard for me?' captures the essence of the struggle between wanting to move on and being constantly reminded of what once was. The ex-lover's actions, such as sneaking into the singer's room to read their diary, are invasive and disrespectful, yet they evoke a strong emotional response. The mention of 'so many illustrations' could imply that the relationship was well-documented and analyzed, perhaps obsessively, by the singer.
The closing lines, 'It was a good lay, good lay,' may be interpreted as a cynical reflection on the physical aspect of the relationship, reducing it to a mere sexual encounter. This could be Morrissey's way of diminishing the significance of the past relationship, or perhaps a defense mechanism to cope with the pain of the breakup. The song's title, 'Suedehead,' does not directly relate to the lyrics but could be a reference to a subculture associated with a clean-cut style, which contrasts with the messy emotional entanglements described in the song.