Barbarism Begins at Home
The Smiths
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Unruly boys Who will not grow up Must be taken in hand Unruly girls Who will not settle down They must be taken in hand A crack on the head Is what you get for not asking And a crack on the head Is what you get for asking Unruly boys Who will not grow up Must be taken in hand Unruly girls Who will not settle down They must be taken in hand A crack on the head Is what you get for not asking And a crack on the head Is what you get for asking No...a crack on the head Is what you get for not asking And a crack on the head Is what you get for asking A crack on the head Is just what you get Why? Because of who you are! And a crack on the head Is just what you get Why? Because of what you are! A crack on the head Because of : Those things you said Things you said The things you did Unruly boys Who will not grow Must be taken in hand Unruly girls Who will not grow They must be taken in hand Ah...oh, no...oh, no Ah...oh, no...oh, no No...no, no, no No...no, no
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Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Song Composition"Barbarism Begins at Home" is penned by the group's lead vocalist and lyricist, Morrissey, and guitarist, Johnny Marr, establishing their signature songwriting partnership.
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Release InformationThe song is part of The Smiths' second album, "Meat is Murder," released on February 11, 1985.
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Musical StyleThis song is renowned for its funk-style bassline which strays away from The Smiths' usual indie pop sound.
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Song Duration"Barbarism Begins at Home" stands out for being one of The Smiths' longest recorded songs, with a running time of over 6 minutes.
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Song ContentThe lyrics describe corporal punishment at home, aligning with the album's overall theme about the abuse of power and individual rights.
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Chart PerformanceDespite not being released as a single in the UK, it reached No. 57 in the New Zealand singles chart in July 1985.
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Live PerformancesIt was often played live by The Smiths and featured extended instrumental breaks showcasing the bassline.
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Remix VersionThe song was slightly remixed in 1988 for the compilation album "The World Won't Listen," shortening the track to 4:59 minutes.
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Music VideoThe official music video features a live performance of the song at the Assembly Rooms in Derby, England, in 1983.
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Unique InterpretationsMorrissey, known for his dramatic onstage performances, often made a whip-cracking motion during live performances of this track, further underscoring the song's themes.
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Cover VersionsSeveral artists have covered "Barbarism Begins at Home", including French band Nouvelle Vague who included the song in their second studio album, Bande à Part.
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"Barbarism Begins at Home Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/24650202/The+Smiths/Barbarism+Begins+at+Home>.
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