Sweet and Tender Hooligan Lyrics
He was a sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
And he said that he'd never, never do it again
And of course he won't
Oh, not until the next time
He was a sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
And he swore that he'll never, never do it again
And of course he won't
Oh, not until the next time
[Verse 1]
Poor old man, he had an accident
With a three-bar fire
But that's okay
Because he wasn't very happy anyway
Poor woman
Strangled in her very own bed as she read
But that's okay, because she was old
And she would have died anyway
[Chorus]
Don't blame the sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
Because he'll never, never, never, never
Never, never do it again
Not until the next time
Jury, you've heard every word so before you decide
Would you look into those mother me eyes?
I love you for you my love, you my love
You my love, you my love
Jury, you've heard every word but before you decide
Would you look into those mother me eyes?
I love you for you my love, you my love
I love you just for you my love
[Chorus]
Don't blame the sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
Because he'll never, never do it again
And in the midst of life
We are in death, etcetera
Sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
Because he'll never, never do it again
And in the midst of life
We are in death, etcetera
[Outro]
Etcetera, etcetera
Etcetera, etcetera
In the midst of life
We are in debt, etcetera
Etcetera, etcetera
Etcetera, etcetera
In the midst of life
We are in debt, etcetera
Just will you free me?
Will you find me?
Will you free me?
Will you find me?
Will you free me, free me, free me
Free me, free me, free me, free me?
Jury will you free me?
Will you find me?
Will you free me?
Will you find me?
How will you find me, find me, find me
Find me, find me, find me, find me?
Etcetera, etcetera
Etcetera, etcetera
Etcetera
Etcetera
Etcetera, etcetera
Etcetera, etcetera
In the midst of life
We are in debt, etcetera, oh, oh
About
Morrissey uses sarcasm and satire to ridicule the justice system in the way of how it forgives the young “sweet and tender hooligans.” In the song he’s playing a role of a satirical defense to the person, who has committed all of the crimes and he mockingly tries to justify the murders.
The song was recorded for a BBC John Peel session in December 1986 and released in April 1987 as a b-side to “Sheila Take a Bow”, appearing on the US compilation Louder than Bombs later that year.
In 1995 “Sweet and Tender Hooligan” was released as a standalone single in the US to promote their Singles compilation. The cover features a still of boxer Cornelius Carr, taken from the music video for Morrissey’s 1995 singles “Boxers”.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 4.Sweet and Tender Hooligan
- 6.London
- 7.Panic
- 8.Girl Afraid
- 13.Ask
- 14.Golden Lights
- 15.Oscillate Wildly
- 17.Rubber Ring
- 19.Hand in Glove
- 23.Unloveable
- 24.Asleep