7 Meanings from "This Night Has Opened My Eyes" by The Smiths

This Night Has Opened My Eyes

by The Smiths

✨ What is 'This Night Has Opened My Eyes' about ?

  • If you listen to "This Night Has Opened My Eyes" by The Smiths, the song narrates a deep and complex tale of a young woman navigating societal norms and personal dilemmas.
  • Take note that society often enforces rigid roles, like it did with the protagonist in this song. Reflect on your own life – are there societal expectations limiting you?
  • Understand that musical narratives can cleverly capture emotional conflicts such as feeling betrayed not just by individuals but also by societal standards.
  • As depicted through the protagonist's contemplation of abandoning her child, sometimes we have thoughts which we immediately regret. Acknowledge them - they're part of being human.
  • Remember when listening to the song, 'she could've been a poet or she could've been a fool' reinforces how life is unpredictable yet fragile during precarious situations.
  • When you hear repeated phrases “I am not happy”, “I am not sad” remember these embody conflicted feelings experienced—layers of confusion & guilt interlaced with momentary relief. This may resonate with us at various points in our lives
  • Finally, "you did good thing," & "you did bad thing" choruses stress on dilemma faced while making choices between perceived societal rights & individual considerations—a reminder that nuances exist in every situation

➡️ Let's delve deeper into the meaning of 'This Night Has Opened My Eyes' 👇

✨ Narrative of Difficult Decisions in Youth

"The Smiths" have never shied away from creating songs with profound, complex narratives. Their song "This Night Has Opened My Eyes," is no different. This song narrates the tale of a doomed young woman who must make a difficult decision regarding her newborn child and her own existence.

✨ Unmasking the Emotional Conflict and Dilemmas in Life

The story recounted in this hit by The Smiths is inspired by Shelagh Delaney's play 'A Taste Of Honey', which revolves around key themes like love, betrayal, teenage pregnancy, and abandonment. Through this song's lyrics, we bear witness to the protagonist's struggle - being forced into motherhood at an early age due to societal norms that she finds constricting.

Her emotional conflict is evident: On one hand she identifies herself as a victim – feeling betrayed and let down not just by her deceitful lover but also by the society that has enforced rigid roles upon her; on other hand it’s about the baby – innocent yet serving as an emblem of everything gone wrong.

She contemplates abandoning her child (as suggested in lines such as 'Immerse the baby's head...Dump her on doorstep girl') only to immediately regret these thoughts ('the dream has gone but the baby is real').

There are undertones of missed opportunities too; there was potential for both mother and child -- 'she could have been a poet or she could have been fool'- conveying life’s unpredictability and fragility during those precarious times.

Though seemingly bleak throughout most part, ultimately it’s not all despair signaled through choruses oscillating between ‘you did good thing’ & ‘you did bad thing’, suggesting dilemma faced in making choice between what society perceives right & individual considerations.

Repeated phrases “I am not happy”, “I am not sad” capture conflicted feelings experienced-layers of confusion, guilt interlaced with momentary reliefs when perceived selfishness battles selflessness.

✨ Learning to Navigate Society's Expectations and Personal Desires

  • It's an invitation to realize that we will often find ourselves in dilemmas where societal expectations and individual desires conflict.
  • Sometimes, there are no absolute right or wrong decisions; only what seems best at the given moment.
  • We must learn to navigate through such uncertainties without surrendering unreservedly to societal pressures. There is a need for discourse, understanding and perhaps even reform aligning with current realities.
  • Every major decision can have profound implications, affecting not just us but innocent lives involved too.

✨ A Stirring Tale of Despair, Dilemma, and Emotional Depth

"This Night Has Opened My Eyes" orchestrates a poignant tale of despair and dilemma faced by women during challenging circumstances. The Smiths skilfully touch upon these serious themes through their potent narrative-style songwriting capabilities - striking chords deeply within listeners offering them insights wrapped around unique layers of emotional depth.

Meanings of other songs by The Smiths:

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