What She Said

The Smiths' song 'What She Said' delves into the profound despair and existential angst of a woman who feels deeply misunderstood and rejected by society. The lyrics, penned by Morrissey, are a poignant exploration of the character's inner turmoil and longing for an escape from her emotional suffering. The opening lines, 'How come someone hasn't noticed that I'm dead and decided to bury me?' immediately set a somber tone, suggesting a sense of invisibility and a desire for release from her pain.

The song further explores the character's struggles with rejection and the facade of happiness she feels compelled to maintain. The line 'To pretend to be happy could only be idiocy' underscores the futility she feels in masking her true emotions. This sentiment is compounded by her lack of fulfillment in both her professional and personal life, as indicated by 'What she said was not for the job or lover that she never had.' The character's intellectual pursuits, symbolized by 'heady books,' offer little solace until a transformative encounter with a 'tattooed boy from Birkenhead' opens her eyes to new perspectives.

The recurring motif of smoking as a means of hoping for an 'early death' highlights the character's deep-seated desire to escape her suffering. This act of clinging to something, even if it is self-destructive, reflects her desperation for any form of relief. The song's raw and candid portrayal of mental anguish and the search for meaning resonates with listeners, making it a powerful commentary on the human condition and the often-overlooked struggles of those who feel marginalized and unseen.