William, It Was Really Nothing – English Lyrics

• By: The Smiths

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the poignant world of The Smiths with "William, It Was Really Nothing." This iconic 1984 track offers a concise yet powerful narrative, perfect for language learners. Its clear, conversational lyrics about personal autonomy and societal pressures provide an excellent window into British English colloquialisms and expressions of emotion. What makes this song special is its bold message, Morrissey's distinctive vocal delivery, and Johnny Marr's intricate, melodic guitar work, creating a sound that is both catchy and thought-provoking, encouraging a deeper understanding of English through its compelling storytelling.

[English]

The rain falls hard on a humdrum town

This town has dragged you down

Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town

This town has dragged you down

Oh, no and everybody's got to live their life

And God knows I've got to live mine

God knows I've got to live mine

...

William, William, it was really nothing

William, William, it was really nothing

It was your life

...

How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say

Oh, would you like to marry me?

And if you like you can buy the ring

She doesn't care about anything

Would you like to marry me?

And if you like you can buy the ring

I don't dream about anyone except myself

...

Oh, William, William, it was really nothing

William, William, oh

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
humdrum /ˈhʌmdrʌm/ B2	adjective - Lacking excitement or variety; dull; monotonous.
drag /dræɡ/ B1	verb - To pull (someone or something) along forcefully, roughly, or with difficulty. verb - To make someone feel unhappy or lacking in energy (often as 'drag down').
live /lɪv/ A1	verb - To have life; to be alive; to continue to be alive.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - The condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter; the period between birth and death.
nothing /ˈnʌθɪŋ/ A1	pronoun - Not anything; no single thing.
fat /fæt/ A1	adjective - (Of a person or animal) having a large amount of excess flesh.
marry /ˈmæri/ A2	verb - To join in marriage; to take as a husband or wife.
ring /rɪŋ/ A2	noun - A small circular band, typically of precious metal, worn on a finger as an ornament or a token.
care /kɛər/ A2	verb - To feel concern or interest; to attach importance to something.
dream /driːm/ A2	verb - To experience a series of images, events, and sensations in the mind while sleeping. noun - A series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep; also, a cherished aspiration.
rain /reɪn/ A1	noun - Moisture condensed from the atmosphere that falls visibly in separate drops.
town /taʊn/ A1	noun - A built-up area with a name, larger than a village but smaller than a city.
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - To move downwards, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level.
hard /hɑːrd/ A1	adjective - Solid, firm, and resistant to pressure; not easily broken, bent, or pierced. adverb - With a great deal of effort or force.
God /ɡɒd/ A2	noun - (In monotheistic religions) the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being.
know /nəʊ/ A1	verb - To have information or an understanding of.
buy /baɪ/ A1	verb - To obtain something by paying money for it.
girl /ɡɜːrl/ A1	noun - A female child or young woman.