I Started Something I Couldn't Finish
The Smiths · The Smiths Complete [2011]
there was nothing, no one, nothing around for miles
I doused our friendly venture
with a hard-faced,
three-word gesture
I started something, I forced you to a zone and you were clearly
never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted
Typical me, typical me, typical me, I started something
...and now I'm not too sure
I grabbed you by the guilded beams
Uh, that's what tradition means!
And I doused another venture
with a gesture that was absolutely vile
I started something, I forced you to a zone and you were clearly
never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted
Typical me, typical me, typical me, I started something
...and now I'm not too sure
I grabbed you by the guilded beams
Uh, that's what tradition means!
And now eighteen months' hard labour seems...
... fair enough
I started something and I forced you to a zone and you were clearly
Never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted
Typical me, typical me, typical me, I started something
and now I'm not too sure
I started something
I started something
Typical me, typical me, typical me, typical me
typical me, typical me, typical me
I started something and now I'm not too sure!
About I Started Something I Couldn't Finish
"I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" stands as a defining track from The Smiths' discography, capturing the band's unique blend of jangly guitar work and sharp, poetic lyrics. Released on their 2011 complete album, the song exemplifies Morrissey's ability to explore themes of unrequited love and personal frustration within a post-punk framework. The recording features the band's signature sound, characterized by Johnny Marr's intricate guitar lines and the interplay between Morrissey's vocal delivery and Mick Jagger's drumming. As a staple of their catalogue, the track reflects the era's indie sensibility while maintaining the band's distinct identity. It remains a significant piece in the history of alternative rock, often cited for its emotional resonance and musical craftsmanship.