Articulate, broodingly charismatic frontman Morrissey and supple guitarist Johnny Marr made the Smiths one of the most significant English bands of the '80s. (Rolling Stone)


Sunday, March 9, 2008

The Smiths: Girlfriend In A Coma

The Smiths: Strangeways, Here We ComeAlbum: Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
Produced by Johnny Marr, Morrissey and Stephen Street
Label: Rough Trade Records

Track 4: Girlfriend In A Coma
Words by Morrissey
Music by Johnny Marr




Video: The Smiths - Girlfriend In A Coma



Lyrics: The Smiths - Girlfriend In A Coma

Girlfriend in a coma, I know
I know - it's serious
Girlfriend in a coma, I know
I know-it's really serious
there were times when I could
have "murdered" her
(But, you know, I would hate
anything to happen to her)
NO, I DON'T WANT TO SEE HER
Do you really think
she'll pull through?
Do you really think
she'll pull through?
Girlfriend in a coma, I know
I know - it's serious
there were times when I could
have "strangled" her
(but, you know, I would hate
Anything to happen to her)
WOULD YOU PLEASE
LET ME SEE HER !
Do you really think
she'll pull through?
Do you really think
she'll pull through?
Let me whisper my last goodbyes

I know - IT'S SERIOUS

The Smiths: Girlfriend In A Coma"Girlfriend in a Coma" is a song by The Smiths. It was released as a single in August 1987, reaching #13 in the UK Singles Chart.

It was the first of three singles from the band's last studio album Strangeways, Here We Come. As such, it was the last single to include newly recorded material on the b-side. It holds the distinction of containing the last recorded Smiths song, "I Keep Mine Hidden". Also included — and recorded at the same session — is a cover version of a Cilla Black song, "Work Is a Four-Letter Word". Morrissey's insistence on recording this song incurred the wrath of Johnny Marr who left the band not long afterwards.

The single itself is a tongue-in-cheek, music hall inflected song that clocks in at a mere two minutes and two seconds. Though seemingly "lightweight" and catchy, the song features acidic, ambiguous lyrics. The song also contains peak guitar work by Johnny Marr.

The video, which featured clips from the film "The Leather Boys" (starring Rita Tushingham), was directed by Tim Broad.

The cover features playwright Shelagh Delaney from a 1961 edition of "A Taste of Honey". The photo was tinted grey for 7"s in all countries except in Australia where it was tinted green as for the 12"s. This was the second time Delaney appeared on a Smiths cover; she appeared as the cover star on the recently released Louder Than Bombs album.

Source: Wikipedia