Is It Really So Strange?
The Smiths · The Smiths Complete [2011]
I travelled South
I found a tiny house
And I can't help the way I feel
Oh yes, you can kick me
And you can punch me
And you can break my face
But you won't change the way I feel
'Cause I love you
Oh ...
And is it really so strange ?
Oh, is it really so strange ?
Oh, is it really so, really so strange ?
I say NO, you say YES
(and you will change your mind)
I left the South
I travelled North
I got confused - I killed a horse
I can't help the way I feel
Oh yes, you can punch me
And you can butt me
And you can break my spine
But you won't change the way I feel
'Cause I love you
Oh ...
And is it really so strange ?
Oh, is it really so strange ?
Oh, is it really so, really so strange ?
I say NO, you say YES
(But you will change your mind)
I left the North again
I travelled South again
And I got confused - I killed a nun
I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I FEEL
I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I FEEL
I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I FEEL
(I lost my bag in Newport Pagnell)
Why is the last mile the hardest mile ?
My throat was dry, with the sun in my eyes
And I realised, I realised
I could never
I could never, never, never, go back home again
Is It Really So Strange?
Released in 1983, 'Is It Really So Strange?' stands as a defining track from The Smiths' seminal debut album, The Smiths. Written by Morrissey and performed by Johnny Marr, the song captures the band's unique blend of jangly guitar work and introspective, often melancholic lyrics. It explores themes of existential doubt and the absurdity of modern life, characteristic of the post-punk revival era. The recording features Marr's signature melodic style, creating a sound that remains highly influential in indie and alternative music. As a cornerstone of The Smiths' early catalogue, the track exemplifies the group's ability to fuse poetic wordplay with catchy, hook-driven melodies, cementing their legacy as one of the most significant acts of the 1980s.