Still Ill

The Smiths' song 'Still Ill' is a poignant reflection on personal and societal discontent, as well as the struggle to reconcile the past with the present. The opening lines set a tone of disillusionment, with the narrator declaring life to be a one-sided affair of taking without giving. The phrase 'England is mine, it owes me a living' suggests a sense of entitlement and frustration with the state of the nation, possibly hinting at the economic and social turmoil of the UK during the 1980s when The Smiths were active.

The recurring question 'Does the body rule the mind or does the mind rule the body?' delves into the philosophical debate of dualism, questioning the relationship between physical existence and mental consciousness. This line, coupled with the refrain 'Am I still ill?', suggests an internal conflict and search for identity, perhaps reflecting the lead singer Morrissey's own struggles with depression and the feeling of being out of place in the world.

The song also touches on nostalgia and the pain of change. The mention of kissing under the iron bridge and ending up with sore lips is a bittersweet memory, indicating that while the past had its moments of joy, it cannot be reclaimed. The narrator recognizes that there are 'brighter sides to life,' yet these moments of happiness are fleeting and rare. The overall mood of the song is one of melancholy and yearning for something that has been lost, whether it's personal innocence or a bygone era.