This Night Has Opened My Eyes

The song 'This Night Has Opened My Eyes' by The Smiths is a haunting portrayal of disillusionment and the loss of innocence. The lyrics paint a grim picture, beginning with the disturbing image of a baby being immersed in a lead-colored river, wrapped in a newspaper, and abandoned. This stark opening sets the tone for a song that delves into the harsh realities of life and the irreversible consequences of certain actions.

The chorus, 'This night has opened my eyes, And I will never sleep again,' suggests a moment of realization or epiphany that has forever altered the narrator's perception of the world. It's as if the events of the night have awakened them to a truth so profound that it cannot be unseen or forgotten. The song continues to explore themes of regret and the dichotomy of good and bad deeds, as reflected in the lines 'Oh, you did a good thing, She could have been a poet, Or she could have been a fool, Oh, you did a bad thing.' The repetition of these lines emphasizes the ambiguity of the situation and the complexity of human emotions.

The Smiths, known for their melancholic and introspective music, often explore themes of alienation and despair. 'This Night Has Opened My Eyes' is no exception, with its evocative lyrics and moody melody. The song leaves listeners with a sense of unresolved tension, as the narrator is 'not happy and not sad,' indicating a numbness or detachment from the events that have transpired. This emotional ambiguity is a hallmark of The Smiths' songwriting, capturing the nuanced feelings that accompany life's most challenging moments.