Stretch Out And Wait

The Smiths' song 'Stretch Out And Wait (Alternate Version)' delves into themes of existential contemplation and the search for meaning amidst the mundanity of life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of life on a high-rise estate, a setting often associated with urban decay and a sense of confinement. The repeated question, 'What's at the back of your mind?' suggests a deep-seated anxiety or unresolved thoughts that linger in the background of everyday life.

The imagery of 'two icy-cold hands conducting the way' and 'eskimo blood in my veins' evokes a sense of detachment and coldness, perhaps reflecting the emotional numbness that can come with modern living. Despite the concrete and clay surroundings, the song suggests that nature and primal instincts still find a way to surface. This is emphasized by the lines 'Let your juvenile impulses sway' and 'God, how sex implores you to let yourself lose yourself,' which encourage a surrender to natural desires and impulses as a form of escape or release.

The chorus, 'Stretch out and wait,' serves as a mantra for living in the moment and letting go of existential worries. The questions about the end of the world and the point of having children highlight the uncertainty and futility that can accompany such thoughts. However, the song ultimately advocates for embracing the present, as encapsulated in the line, 'What I do know is we're here and it's now.' By urging listeners to 'stretch out and wait,' The Smiths suggest that sometimes the best response to life's uncertainties is to simply exist and find solace in the present moment.