"Bona Drag", 1990, Morrissey
Bona Drag was originally intended to be a new album (indeed Morrissey had a sleeve design for it, which was subsequently adapted for "Live In Dallas"). Instead, some tracks from this abortive "Bona Drag" session were released in single form, and then a compilation that borrowed the cancelled album title was released in October 1990.
Bona Drag forcefully proves Morrissey's continuing quality in the face of harsh criticism, with excellent tracks like "November Spawned A Monster", "Will Never Marry", and the defining "Disappointed". Morrissey's choice of tracks mimics the Smiths' compilation repetition of tracks, with both "Suedehead" and "Everyday Is Like Sunday" available on debut album Viva Hate.
The album's title comes from seminal radio show "Round The Horne". See Picadilly Palare for more details.
Off the rails I was and
off the rails
I was happy to stay
GET OUT OF MY WAY
on the rack I was "easy Meat"
but a reasonably good buy
a reasonably good buy
the Piccadilly palare
was just a silly slang
between me and the boys in my gang
"so bona to vada, OH YOU
your lovely eek and
your lovely riah"
We plied an ancient trade
where we threw all life's
instructions away
exchanging lies and digs (my way)
well, in a belted coat
oh I secretly knew
that I hadn't a clue
the Piccadilly palare
was just a silly slang
between me and the boys in my gang
exchanging palare
you wouldn't understand
good sons like you
NEVER DO
So why do you smile
when you thing about Earls Court?
but you cry when you think of all
the battles you've fought (and lost)?
it may all end tomorrow
or, it could go on forever
(in which case; I'm doomed)
it could go on forever
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There are some bad people on
the rise
there are some bad people on the rise
they're saving their own skins by
ruining people's lives
bad, bad people on the rise
Young married couple in debt
- ever felt had?
young married couple in debt
- ever felt had?
on a government scheme
designed to kill your dream
oh mum, oh dad
once poor - always poor
la la la la
interesting drug
the one that you took
God, it really really helped you
I wonder why you're only half-ashamed?
"Because ENOUGH is TOO MUCH!
and look around...
...can you blame us? CAN you blame us?
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Sleep on and dream of Love
because it's the closest you will get to love
poor twisted child, so ugly, so ugly
poor twisted child, oh hug me, oh hug me
one November spawned a monster
in the shape of this child who later cried
"But Jesus made me, so Jesus save me from
pity, sympathy and people discussing me"
a frame of useless limbs what can make GOOD
all the BAD that's been done?
And if the lights were out
could you even bear
to kiss her full on the mouth (or anywhere?)
poor twisted child, so ugly, so ugly
poor twisted child, oh hug me, oh hug me
one November spawned a monster
in the shape of this child who must remain
a hostage to kindess and the wheels underneath her
a hostage to kindess and the wheels underneath her
a symbol of where mad, mad lovers
must PAUSE and draw the line
So sleep and dream of love
because it's the closest
you will get to love
that November is a time which I must put OUT of my mind
oh one fine day
LET IT BE SOON
she won't be rich or beautiful
but she'll be walking your streets
in the clothes that she went out
and chose for herself
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I'm writing this to say
in a gentle way
Thank You - but no
I will live my life as I
will undoubtedly die - alone
I'm writing this to say
in a gentle way
Thank you...
I will live my life as I...
for whether you stay
or you stray
an inbuilt guilt catches up with you
and as it comes around to your place
at 5 a.m. it wakes you up
and laughs in your face
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SUCH A LITTLE THING MAKES SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE
Such a little thing, such a
little thing
but the difference it made was grave
there you go
wielding a bicycle chain
oh why won't you change
cange and be nicer?
such a little thing
a gentle tone of kindness
or written words on paper
- can you write?
How I love all of
the very simple things of life
(God's good air)
how I love all of
the very simple things of life
such a little thing
a fumbling politeness
the difference it saved me
wielding a bicycle chain
"I WILL NOT CHANGE AND I WILL NOT BE NICE"
Most people keep their brains between your legs (don't you find?)
Leave me alone - I was only singing, leave me alone because
I was only singing
leave me alone - I was only singing, leave me alone
you have just proved (again)
MOST PEOPLE KEEP THEIR BRAINS BETWEEN THEIR LEGS
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THE LAST OF THE FAMOUS INTERNATIONAL PLAYBOYS
Dear hero imprisoned
With all the new crimes that you are perfecting
Oh, I can't help quoting you
Because everything that you said rings true
And now in my cell
(Well, I followed you)
And here's a list of who I slew
Reggie Kray - do you know my name ?
Oh, don't say you don't
Please say you do, (oh) I am :
The last of the famous International playboys
The last of the famous International playboys
And in my cell
(Well, I loved you)
And every man with a job to do
Ronnie Kray - do you know my face ?
Oh, don't say you don't
Please say you do, (oh) I am :
The last of the famous International playboys
The last of the famous International playboys
In our lifetime those who kill
The newsworld hands them stardom
And these are the ways
On which I was raised
These are the ways
On which I was raised
I never wanted to kill
I AM NOT NATURALLY EVIL
Such things I do
Just to make myself More attractive to you
HAVE I FAILED ?
Oh, the last of the famous International playboys
The last of the famous
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Ouija board
would you work for me?
I have got to say Hello
to an old friend
Ouija board, ouija board
would you work for me?
I have got to get through
to a good friend
She has now gone
from this Unhappy Planet
with all the carnivores
and the destructors on it
ouija board, ouija board
would you help me
because I still do feel
so horribly lonely
would you, ouija board
would you, ouija board
would you help me
because I just can't find
my place in this world
she has now gone
from this Unhappy Planet
with all the carnivores
and the destructors on it
Oh hear my voice ("hear my voice")
oh hear my voice ("hear my voice")
The table is rumbling...
the table is rumbling
the glass is moving
"No, I was NOT pushing that time"
it spells S.T.E.V.E.N.
the table is rumbling
the glass is moving
"no, I was NOT pushing that time":
P.U.S.H.O. double F.
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Here is London
here is London
is it home of the free,
or what?
can you squeeze me
into an empty page of your diary
and psychologically save me
I've got faith in you
I sense the power
in the fingers
within an hour the power
can totally destroy me
or it could same my life
here is London
'home of the brash, outrageous
and free'
you are repressed
but you're remarkably dressed
is it Real?
but you're far to busy
busy scissors
busy clippers
hair dresser on fire
all around Sloane Square
and you're far too busy
to see me
"busy,busy"
hairdresser on fire
was a client over-cautious
he made you nervous
and when he said
"I'm gonna sue you"
I really felt for you
so can you squeeze me
into an empty page of your diary
and supernaturally change me
CHANGE ME, CHANGE ME
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Trudging slowly over wet
sand
back to the bench
where your clothes were stolen
this is the coastal town
that they forgot to close down
Armageddon - come Armageddon!
Come Armageddon! Come!
Everyday is like Sunday
everyday is silent and grey
Hide on the promenade
scratch out a postcard
"how I dearly with I was not here"
in the seaside town
...that they forgot to bomb
Come! Come! Come - nuclear bomb!
Everyday is like Sunday
everyday is silent and grey
Trudging back over pebbles and sand
and a strange dust lands on your hands
(and on your face)
Everyday is like Sunday
"Win Yourself A Cheap Tray"
share some greased tea with me
everyday is silent and grey
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He Knows (he knows)
Or, I think he does
because when I lived
in the Arse of the world...
he knows, he knows, he knows I'd love
to see him happy (or as close as is allowed)
because when I lived
in the Arse of the world
he knows, he knows, he knows I'd love
to see him happy (or as close as possible
as close as possible, as close as is allowed)
My name still conjours up deadly deeds
and a bad taste in the mouth
the police - they actually knew me
they said:
"You're just another person in the world
you're just another fool with radical views
you're just another who has maddening views
you want to turn it on its head
by staying in bed!"
I said: "I know I do"
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Yes, I am blind
no, I can't see the good things
just the bad things
Yes, I am blind
no, I can't see
there must be something
horribly wrong with me?
Love's youg dream
I'm the one who shopped you
I'm the one who stopped you
'cause in my sorry way I love you
Love's young dream
aren't you sorry for what you've done?
well, you're not the only one
and in my sorry way I love you
Yes, I am blind
but I do see
Evil people prosper
over the likes of you and me
ALWAYS
Little lamb on a hill
run fast if you can
good Christians want to KILL you
and your live has not even begun!
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When your gift unfurls
when your Talent becomes apparent
I will roar from the stalls
I will gurgle from the circle
The Saints smile shyly
down on you
they couldn't get over
your nine-leaved clover
Lucky lisp was not wasted on you
lucky lisp was not wasted on you
When your name is with the best
will my name be on your guest list?
I will roar from the stalls
oh the balcony fool was me, you fool
Jesus made this all for you, love
He couldn't get over
your Grandma's omen
Lucky lisp was not wasted on you
lucky lisp was not wasted on you
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Why do you come here
why do you hang around
I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry
Why do you come here
when you know it makes
things hard for me
when you know, oh
why do you come?
Why do you telephone?
and why send me silly notes?
I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry
why do you come here
when you know it makes
thing hard for me
when you know, oh
why do you come?
You had to sneak into my room
'just' to read my diary
was it just to see all the things
you knew I'd written about you?
and...so many illustrations
I'm so very sickened
oh, I am so sickened NOW
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Our unsleepable friend
gets the message on an ill-wind
'all your friends and your foes
would rather die than have to touch you'
TO SAY THE LEAST: truly disappointed
truly, truly, truly
Drank too much
said too much
and there's nowhere to go - but Down
young boy - I wanna help you
SEE THESE LINES?: truly disappointed
truly, truly, truly
Don't talk to me now
about people who are "nice"
'cause I have spent my WHOLE LIFE
in RUINS...
because of people who were "nice"
This world may lack Style, I know
but each bud must blossom and grow
Young girl one day we really will be old
but the thing is: I love you NOW
This is the last song I will ever sing
No I've changed my mind again
GOODNIGHT
AND THANK YOU
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Other albums with all songs and lyrics:
The Smiths:
|
Morrissey: |
This Page was created by David Rapava
22 May 1998