“That's the trick, see, it's just like acting. I mean, you can't play Hamlet because how many people are playing Hamlet as father, as a king? But you take your own experience and find something similar in it and draw on that.” »read more
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“That's the trick, see, it's just like acting. I mean, you can't play Hamlet because how many people are playing Hamlet as father, as a king? But you take your own experience and find something similar in it and draw on that.” »read more
Songfacts: You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.
Smith's leader Morrissey wrote the lyrics about how difficult it is to be shy. The song has become an anthem of alienation and social isolation.
Morrissey got the line "The heir to nothing in particular" from George Eliot's 19th century novel Middlemarch.
Guitarist Johnny Marr told the Rolling Stone magazine: "I wanted an intro that was almost as potent as 'Layla.' When it plays in a club or a pub, everyone knows what it is."
This featured in the 1998 film The Wedding Singer, which used a lot of '80s music.
Johnny Marr (from the Guardian newspaper, February 24 2006): "As a kid I was fascinated by Hamilton Bohannon's 'Disco Stomp' and 'New York Groove' by Hello, and I wanted to make something with that stomp. The first decent amp I got was the Fender Twin because the Patti Smith Group used it, and it had this amazing tremolo. Later when we'd had a few hits, a review of What Difference Does It Make said I'd written a riff that was instantly recognizable, which fascinated me. One night I was playing for my own pleasure and I suddenly got the riff. It all came together - the tremolo and the stomping groove - for what became How Soon Is Now, although my demo was titled Swamp. Because it was a groove track it originally appeared as an extra track on a 12-inch, but popular clamor forced its single release. I remember when Morrissey first sang: 'I am the son and the heir...' [Producer] John Porter went, 'Ah great, the elements!' Morrissey continued, '...of a shyness that is criminally vulgar.' I knew he'd hit the bullseye there and then." (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for all above)
This was used as the theme song for the TV show Charmed. (thanks, Daniel - Williamstown, NJ)
Morrissey and Marr received 25% of the royalties for the 1990 song Hippychick after it sampled this song without permission.
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The very under-appreciated band "Quicksand" covered this song on their debut album "Slip". This version of the song would be featured nearly a decade later in the film "Cruel Intentions".
- RiOT, Palm Desert, CA
After doing a bit more research, it seems like the aforementioned cover song is not on the "Cruel Intentions" soundtrack but was used in the film's trailer.
- RiOT, Palm Desert, CA
I was watching the movie 'Closer'. At the scene Natalie Portman was at the strip club where this song was playing. A perfect song with the perfect beauty.
However my favorite song is Jack the Ripper the concert version
- ozmoz, istanbul, Turkey
Not the Smiths best song, but definitely their best known. Alot of people know this song, and dont even know who the Smiths are.
- Jeff, Austin, TX
evokes a feeling that can be related then, now and forever - timeless, spooky,haunting. Touches your soul.
- joellen, Pittsburgh, PA
This is one of the best songs of all time
- Marwan, london,
Little known fact, the very recognizable and notable shimmering guitar riff for "How Soon Is Know" was done by Marr placing a guitar on the floor and dropping a butter knife on the open strings. He then looped it and added LOTS of reverb and chorus.
- Nonya, Long Beach, CA
Who freakin cares if this song was on Charmed?! It's a retarded show anyway! Just another ruined masterpeice...
- Max, Laconia, NH
Funny that the Smiths never liked this song because although I do not really like the band much this song to me is incredible.
It is weird how a lot of artists do not like their most popular songs.
- Scott, Palm Desert, CA
It sounds cool on charmed.... but I just researched this site trying to find out more about it... and I'm not so sure i like it anymore
Jocalinetherppr
- Jocaline, Brigham, UT
Two interesting things about this song are (1) The Smiths never liked this song (2) Its one of the few tracks they never produced themselves. In fact, they fired the producer over this song because they felt he was trying to change their style. Goes to show what a fresh pair of eyes can do to a situation because thsi song proved to be one of the most influential of the band's career.
- Tony, Cleveland, OH
"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."
BEST. LYRICS. EVER.
- Humberto, Mazatlan, Mexico
I just found a song that totally fits me!
I know what's it's like to be shy and I can relate a lot to the lyrics.
Although I have to say that I like the T.A.T.U-version more than the original.
Howcome? Well, as where the original song sounds 'normal', the T.A.T.U-version sounds more like a prayer, a desperate scream for help, a calling, you know?
Still, great song! :D
- T. Michels, Venlo, Netherlands
I wanna be loved to but its hard this song helps me stay in tune and see things.
- Stacey, St.petersburg, FL
I went through a stage (still kinda there) where I'd go out with my fiends and hope to meet somone, and try really hard to speak to new people and never really manage it. Guess it's nice to know that other people feel the same way.
- Alice, York, England
More than any other song, "How Soon is Now" evokes tremendous feelings and memories of my youth in the 80's. To me, this song is the anthem of the 80's and teenage angst. *sigh* What memories... (the 80's , not the angst!!)
- Janice, Folsom, CA
Fu*king rad Jam
- Dennis, Chicagoland burrows, IL
This song was also covered by t.a.t.u on their album 200km/h in the Wrong Lane. I don't mind their version, but nothing beats the original version.
~Angelik M, Australia~
- Angelik, Adelaide, Australia
Wasn't this riff played backwards, in order to get a unique sound?
- smarty, los angeles, CA
Well, I can tell you, for a fact, and from personal experience, that whenever this song is played in a Goth club, it is NEVER mistaken for Hippy Chick. Never!
- Randall, Dallas, TX
Justine, you hit the nail on the head. I used to listen to this song super loud in my old Dodge Colt coming home from the bars and not getting lucky. Morrissey knows exactly how you feel when you're shy - screaming inside, but deathly silent outside.
- Susan, Airdrie, Canada
The quote "When it plays in a club or a pub, everyone knows what it is" isn't exactly true, because when you hear the riff, it could just as easily be "Hippy Chick" by Soho. I believe Soho sampled the guitar without permission, prompting all sorts of legal action.
In addition, I remember hearing an interview with Morrisey about the extent to which he detested this song.
- James, Westchester, England
a friend told me morrissey stole the title "how soon is now" from star trek III: The Search For Spock.
someone tell me this isn't so?!?
- sarah, sydney, Australia
Song is about Teenage angst - most awesome song of the 80s - heard that originally this song was on the B side of a single - oops - anyways the album its on - Meat is Murder - is great - especially Headmasters ritual - but album of the 80s has got to be "the Queen is Dead" - a masterpiece
- Pat, Wollongong - Australia, Australia
Other bands that covered this include Everclear and Snake River Conspiracy
- Jerry, Palm Harbor, FL
Love Spit Love covered this song, and an edited version of that song is the theme song to Charmed. Personally like Love Spit Love's version better. ::shrug::
- Ishan, Lake Mary, FL
Before I ever read the lyrics, I used to think he was singing "I am the sun, and the air." So of course I thought it was about nature. Yes, I am a dolt.
- Ash, Charleston, WV
A song that sets the Smiths in the Pantheon of rock gods. What started with the Yardbirds and Zepellin ended in the most unlikely place: a six minute loner's epic that pits Marr's guitar against Morrisey's voice. The last great rock song? Apologies for sounding like too much the rock critic, but this song can only be described in grand metaphors and superlative rhetoric.
- craig, madison, WI
What an awesome altrock groove. This song really holds up.
- Nessie, Sapporo, Japan
The Band that covered the song for the theme tune of "Charmed" is called "Love Spit Love". It is featured on the "Charmed OST".
- Andrew Archer, Tokyo, Japan
Another band covered this song. Im not sure which band, but the cover version is the theme song to the show Charmed.
- Stephanie, Frankfurt, Germany
This song was playing in the background throughout a very important scene in a strip club backroom with Clive Owen and Natalie Portman in the 2004 film "Closer".
- Nick, Arlington Heights, IL
I can see where the shy comes in on the song, but I also beleive its about frustration in wanting only one thing (love) and never finding it no matter how hard you try. Also giving in and being mistreated yet not leaving because of your fear of once again being alone.
The depression cycle :P
- Justine, Eddy, United States