Meaning of What Difference Does It Make? - The Smiths
Deep within the lyrics of The Smiths’ hit song “What Difference Does It Make?” lies a powerful message about secrets, trust, and self-reflection.
The opening lines, “All men have secrets and here is mine / So let it be known,” immediately set a tone of confession and vulnerability. Lead singer Morrissey lays bare his innermost thoughts, inviting the listener to join him on this intimate journey. It’s as if he’s confessing something weighty, yet at the same time, reassuring us that these secrets are not so significant after all.
The lines “For we have been through hell and high tide / I can surely rely on you” imply a deep sense of trust between Morrissey and his audience. He’s saying that despite the hardships they’ve faced together, he knows that their bond is unbreakable. It’s an invitation to be open with one another, to share secrets without fear or judgment.
However, as the song progresses, there are hints of unease. Morrissey sings “Heavy words are so lightly thrown” and then admits, “But still I'd leap in front of a flying bullet for you.” These lines suggest that while he’s willing to be vulnerable with his audience, there are certain boundaries he won’t cross. He’s warning us that there are things we don’t know about him, things he’s not yet ready to share.
The chorus repeats the question, “So, what difference does it make?” It seems like a rhetorical query at first, but as the song unfolds, we realize that Morrissey is asking us to reconsider the importance of secrets. Are they really worth keeping? Would revealing them bring any real change or harm?
The lyrics “But now you have gone / And your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight” suggest a sense of loss and betrayal, as if someone close to Morrissey has left him. This abandonment leaves him questioning the significance of his secrets. Are they worth keeping in the face of such rejection?
As the song draws to a close, Morrissey sings, “Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh / But now you know the truth about me / You won't see me anymore / Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh” The repetition of these lines highlights the conflict between his love for this person and his desire to keep his secrets. It’s as if he’s unsure whether revealing his secrets would ruin their relationship or free him from it.
The final lines, “Oh, I'm too tired / I'm so sick and tired / And I'm feeling very sick and ill today / But I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh” are filled with a sense of exhaustion and longing. Morrissey seems to be saying that he’s weary from keeping his secrets, but that doesn’t change how he feels about this person. It’s as if he’s asking us to consider the power of love in the face of secrets and betrayal.
In conclusion, “What Difference Does It Make?” is a song about secrets, trust, and self-reflection. Morrissey invites us to join him on an intimate journey, sharing his innermost thoughts and confidences. However, as the song progresses, there are hints of unease and conflict, as if he’s unsure whether revealing his secrets would ruin his relationships or free him from them. Ultimately, Morrissey seems to be asking us to consider the power of love in the face of secrets and betrayal. It’s a powerful message about vulnerability, trust, and self-reflection that resonates with listeners even today.
The opening lines, “All men have secrets and here is mine / So let it be known,” immediately set a tone of confession and vulnerability. Lead singer Morrissey lays bare his innermost thoughts, inviting the listener to join him on this intimate journey. It’s as if he’s confessing something weighty, yet at the same time, reassuring us that these secrets are not so significant after all.
The lines “For we have been through hell and high tide / I can surely rely on you” imply a deep sense of trust between Morrissey and his audience. He’s saying that despite the hardships they’ve faced together, he knows that their bond is unbreakable. It’s an invitation to be open with one another, to share secrets without fear or judgment.
However, as the song progresses, there are hints of unease. Morrissey sings “Heavy words are so lightly thrown” and then admits, “But still I'd leap in front of a flying bullet for you.” These lines suggest that while he’s willing to be vulnerable with his audience, there are certain boundaries he won’t cross. He’s warning us that there are things we don’t know about him, things he’s not yet ready to share.
The chorus repeats the question, “So, what difference does it make?” It seems like a rhetorical query at first, but as the song unfolds, we realize that Morrissey is asking us to reconsider the importance of secrets. Are they really worth keeping? Would revealing them bring any real change or harm?
The lyrics “But now you have gone / And your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight” suggest a sense of loss and betrayal, as if someone close to Morrissey has left him. This abandonment leaves him questioning the significance of his secrets. Are they worth keeping in the face of such rejection?
As the song draws to a close, Morrissey sings, “Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh / But now you know the truth about me / You won't see me anymore / Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh” The repetition of these lines highlights the conflict between his love for this person and his desire to keep his secrets. It’s as if he’s unsure whether revealing his secrets would ruin their relationship or free him from it.
The final lines, “Oh, I'm too tired / I'm so sick and tired / And I'm feeling very sick and ill today / But I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh” are filled with a sense of exhaustion and longing. Morrissey seems to be saying that he’s weary from keeping his secrets, but that doesn’t change how he feels about this person. It’s as if he’s asking us to consider the power of love in the face of secrets and betrayal.
In conclusion, “What Difference Does It Make?” is a song about secrets, trust, and self-reflection. Morrissey invites us to join him on an intimate journey, sharing his innermost thoughts and confidences. However, as the song progresses, there are hints of unease and conflict, as if he’s unsure whether revealing his secrets would ruin his relationships or free him from them. Ultimately, Morrissey seems to be asking us to consider the power of love in the face of secrets and betrayal. It’s a powerful message about vulnerability, trust, and self-reflection that resonates with listeners even today.
