Bigmouth Strikes Again, by The Smiths

"Bigmouth Strikes Again" is a song by The Smiths. It appears on their third album "The Queen Is Dead" and was the lead single from the album, reaching #26 in the UK Singles Chart in 1986. It was also the closing song on The Smiths' only live album, Rank.

The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the songwriting partnership of Morrissey (vocals) and Johnny Marr (guitar), the band also included Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums). Critics have called them the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s. The group were signed to the independent record label Rough Trade Records, for whom they released four studio albums and several compilations, as well as numerous non-LP singles. Although they had limited commercial success outside the UK while they were still together, and never released a single that charted higher than number 10 in their home country, The Smiths won a growing following, and remain cult and commercial favourites. The band broke up in 1987 amid disagreements between Morrissey and Marr and have turned down several offers to reunite since then.

The lyrics describe the protagonist's frustration of being hounded by others for his comments, to which he replies "I was only joking", and this led Noel Gallagher to draw inspiration from this song for the Oasis track "My Big Mouth", which is about the same subject.

During the song, the protagonist compares himself to Joan of Arc as the flames rose to her Roman nose.

The high-pitched voice in the background is actually Morrissey's, but credited as Ann Coates. Ancoats is the area of Manchester from which the band originated.

And here is the lyrics to Bigmouth Strikes Again:

Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking 

When I said I'd like to smash every tooth 

In your head 

Oh ... sweetness, sweetness, I was only joking 

When I said by rights you should be 

Bludgeoned in your bed 

And now I know how Joan of Arc felt 

Now I know how Joan of Arc felt 

As the flames rose to her roman nose 

And her Walkman started to melt 

Oh ... 

Bigmouth, la ... bigmouth, la ... 

Bigmouth strikes again 

And I've got no right to take my place 

With the Human race 

Oh, bigmouth, la ... bigmouth, la 

Bigmouth strikes again 

And I've got no right to take my place 

With the Human race 

And now I know how Joan of Arc felt 

Now I know how Joan of Arc felt 

As the flames rose to her roman nose 

And her hearing aid started to melt 

Bigmouth, la ... bigmouth, la ... 

Bigmouth strikes again 

And I've got no right to take my place 

With the Human race 

Oh ... 

And now enjoy a funny, silly video about this fantastic song:

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