Reel Around The Fountain

The Smiths, known for their jangly guitar pop and the distinctively melancholic voice of Morrissey, often explored themes of alienation, love, and the complexities of youth in their music. 'Reel Around The Fountain' is no exception, with its lyrics painting a picture of youthful innocence lost and the longing for connection.

The repeated lines 'It's time the tale were told / Of how you took a child / And you made him old' suggest a narrative of growing up too quickly, perhaps through an experience that has caused the 'child' to lose their innocence. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for a young person's coming of age or a more specific personal relationship that has had a profound impact on the narrator's life. The phrase 'reel around the fountain' and 'slap me on the patio' evoke images of playful, carefree moments juxtaposed with the more serious undertone of the song, hinting at the complexity of the emotions involved.

The chorus 'Fifteen minutes with you / Well, I wouldn't say no' speaks to the desire for intimacy and the value of even brief encounters. The narrator's dream about the other person and the feeling of falling out of bed twice could symbolize the turbulence and intensity of their emotions. The song's poetic nature allows for various interpretations, but the overarching theme seems to be a bittersweet reflection on the passage of time, the loss of innocence, and the deep yearning for meaningful connections.