How Soon Is Now? – English Lyrics

• By: The Smiths
• Album: Hatful of Hollow, Meat Is Murder

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into The Smiths' iconic track, "How Soon Is Now?", and unlock the emotional depth of English songwriting. Morrissey's distinctive and often poetic lyrics offer a masterclass in expressing profound human emotions like shyness and longing. By exploring its rich vocabulary and evocative imagery, you can gain a deeper understanding of nuanced English expressions. The song's atmospheric and innovative musicality, particularly Johnny Marr's unique guitar work, provides a powerful backdrop that enhances the lyrical themes, making it a truly special and immersive learning experience.

[English]

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

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
son /sʌn/ A1	noun - a male child or person in relation to his parents
heir /eər/ B2	noun - a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
shyness /ˈʃaɪnəs/ B2	noun - the quality or state of being shy
vulgar /ˈvʌlɡər/ C1	adjective - lacking sophistication or good taste; unrefined
mouth /maʊθ/ A1	noun - the opening in the face through which food is ingested and vocalizations emerge verb - to say (something) without opening one's mouth
human /ˈhjuːmən/ A2	adjective - relating to or characteristic of people or human beings noun - a human being
loved /lʌvd/ A1	verb - to feel deep affection or romantic attachment to (someone).
club /klʌb/ A2	noun - an organization of people with a common purpose or interest, who meet regularly
somebody /ˈsʌmbɒdi/ A2	noun - an important or famous person.
stand /stænd/ A2	verb - to have or maintain an upright position, supported by one's feet
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - to shed tears, typically as an expression of distress, pain, or sorrow noun - an act of crying
die /daɪ/ A1	verb - to stop living
wait /weɪt/ A1	verb - to remain in place or defer action until a particular time or event
hope /hoʊp/ A2	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen verb - want something to happen or be the case.

Key Grammar Structures

• I am the son and the heir Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar

  ➔ Relative Clause (Defining)

  ➔ The clause "that is criminally vulgar" defines the type of shyness. The relative pronoun "that" introduces the clause, which is essential to understanding the specific kind of shyness.

• You, shut your mouth, how can you say I go about things the wrong way?

  ➔ Modal Verb (can) in an interrogative sentence, Indirect question/reported speech with question word

  ➔ "How can you say..." uses the modal verb "can" to express ability or permission in a question. The phrase "I go about things the wrong way" within the question acts as an embedded question/reported speech.

• I am human and I need to be loved Just like everybody else does

  ➔ Ellipsis (does), Comparative clause with 'like'

  ➔ "everybody else does" is an ellipsis. It means "everybody else needs to be loved" but the repetition is omitted. The phrase "Just like" introduces a comparison, showing the common need for love.

• There's a club if you'd like to go

  ➔ Conditional Clause (Mixed)

  ➔ "if you'd like to go" is a conditional clause. While not a typical mixed conditional, it implies a polite offer: if you *were* inclined to go (hypothetical present desire), there is a club. The "'d" is a contraction of "would".

• So you go and you stand on your own And you leave on your own

  ➔ Repetition and parallelism, Phrasal verb ('stand on your own', 'leave on your own')

  ➔ The repetition of "you" and the parallel structure of the clauses creates emphasis. "stand on your own" and "leave on your own" are phrasal verbs, meaning to be independent and leave alone.

• When you say it's gonna happen now Well, when exactly do you mean?

  ➔ Future Tense (gonna), Interrogative Sentence (emphasis using 'exactly')

  ➔ "gonna" is an informal contraction of "going to", indicating the future tense. The interrogative sentence uses "exactly" to emphasize the need for a specific timeframe.