How Soon Is Now

The Smiths

About How Soon Is Now

"How Soon Is Now?" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. Originally a B-side of the 1984 single "William, It Was Really Nothing", "How Soon Is Now?" was subsequently featured on the compilation album Hatful of Hollow and on US, Canadian, Australian, and Warner UK editions of Meat Is Murder. Belatedly released as a single in the UK in 1985, it reached No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart. When re-released in 1992, it reached No. 16. In 2007, Marr said "How Soon Is Now?" is "possibly [the Smiths'] most enduring record. It's most people's favourite, I think." Despite its prominent place in the Smiths' repertoire, it is not generally considered to be representative of the band's style. Although a club favourite, it did not chart as well as expected. Most commentators put this down to the fact that the song had been out on vinyl in a number of forms before being released as a single in its own right. The original track runs for nearly seven minutes; the 7" single edit cut the length down to under four minutes. The complete version is generally used on compilations. 


Year:
2011
3:35
44 
#1

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I am the son
And the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way?
I am human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

I am the son
And the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way?
I am human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

There's a club if you'd like to go
You could meet somebody who really loves you
So you go and you stand on your own
And you leave on your own
And you go home and you cry
And you want to die

When you say it's gonna happen "now"
Well when exactly do you mean?
See I've already waited too long
And all my hope is gone

You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way?
I am human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

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The Smiths

The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, the band also included bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce. Critics have called them the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s. The group was signed to the independent record label Rough Trade Records, on which they released four studio albums, several compilations, and numerous non-LP singles. Although they had limited commercial success outside the UK while they were still together, and never released a single that charted higher than number 10 in their home country, The Smiths won a significant following, and remain cult an… more »

4 fans

Written by: Johnny Marr, Steven Patrick Morrissey

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Chart Performance
"How Soon Is Now?" is arguably one of The Smiths' most popular tracks, although initially, it didn't succeed on the charts. In 1984, UK singles chart ranked it at number 24 and USA ranked it at number 36 two years later.
Composition & Evolution
The song underwent a series of changes before becoming the version we know today. Originally, it was recorded as a B-side for the 12" version of the single "William, It Was Really Nothing."
Artistic inspiration
Johnny Marr, the band's co-founder and guitarist, was inspired by Hamilton Bohannon's "Disco Stomp" and Can's "I Want More" while creating this song.
Unique sound and effects
The distinct pulsating effect in the song was created by using a harmonizer. To get the final sound, Marr and Morrissey layered multiple guitar tracks.
Lyrics and meaning
Morrissey's lyrics for "How Soon Is Now?" are a poignant exploration of loneliness and shyness, themes that have become an integral part of The Smiths' persona.
Pop Culture Influence
The song has been used for several TV shows and films, the most notable of which was its use as the theme song for the television series "Charmed."
Cover versions
Several artists have covered "How Soon Is Now?" either in recorded versions or during live performances, including Love Spit Love, The Psychedelic Furs, Russian duo t.A.T.u., and Snake River Conspiracy.
Change in perception
Despite its initial commercial disappointment, the song has come to be recognized as one of the greatest songs of all time. Rolling Stone, for instance, ranked it at number 477 in its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
Legal battle
In a 1996 court battle, Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke, the band's drummer and bassist, won 25% of The Smiths' royalties. Previously, they were only receiving 10%.
Use in marketing
In 2008, the song was used in a commercial by John Lewis & Partners, a British department store chain, to promote their Spring season line.

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