Miserable Lie
The Smiths · The Smiths Complete [2011]
Please stay with your own kind
And I'll stay with mine
There's something against us
It's not time
It's not time
So, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
I know I need hardly say
How much I love your casual way
Oh, but please put your tongue away
A little higher and we're well away
The dark nights are drawing in
And your humor is as black as them
I look at yours, you laugh at mine
And "love" is just a miserable lie
You have destroyed my flower-like life
Not once - twice
You have corrupt my innocent mind
Not once - twice
I recognize that mystical air
It means : I'd like to seize your underwear
I know the wind-swept mystical air
It means: I'd like to see your underwear
What do we get for our trouble and pain ?
Just a rented room in Whalley Range
What do we get for our trouble and pain ?
...Whalley Range !
Into the depths of the criminal world
I followed her ...
I need advice, I need advice
I need advice, I need advice
Nobody ever looks at me twice
Nobody ever looks at me twice
I'm just a country-mile behind
The world
I'm just a country-mile behind
The whole world
Oh oh, oh ...
I'm just a country-mile behind
The world
I'm just a country-mile behind
The whole world
Oh oh, oh ...
Take me when you go
Oh oh, oh...
Take me when you go
Oh oh, oh ...
I need advice, I need advice
About Miserable Lie
"Miserable Lie" stands as a pivotal track in The Smiths' discography, capturing the band's signature blend of jangly guitars, driving rhythms, and Morrissey's distinctive, often cynical vocal delivery. Released on their 2011 compilation album, the song exemplifies the Manchester indie-pop sound that defined the early 1980s, characterized by its raw energy and introspective lyrics. It reflects the band's ability to weave personal frustration into broader social commentary, a hallmark of their work during their peak creative years. The recording showcases the intricate interplay between Johnny Marr's melodic guitar work and the rhythmic precision of Andy Rourke's bass, creating a sonic landscape that remains influential in alternative rock history. As a staple of their catalog, the track continues to resonate with listeners who appreciate its unapologetic honesty and musical craftsmanship.