Handsome Devil

The Smiths' song 'Handsome Devil' is a provocative exploration of desire, rebellion, and the tension between intellectual pursuits and physical urges. The lyrics, penned by Morrissey, are filled with a mix of wit, audacity, and a touch of dark humor, which are hallmarks of The Smiths' style. The song opens with a vivid image of streets filled with things 'eager to be held,' setting the stage for a narrative driven by physical longing and the urge to break societal norms.

The repeated phrase 'you handsome devil' serves as both a compliment and a taunt, directed at someone who embodies temptation and allure. The lyrics are unabashedly direct, with lines like 'let me get my hands on your mammary glands' and 'let me get your head on the conjugal bed,' which highlight the raw, unfiltered nature of the speaker's desires. This bluntness is juxtaposed with the intellectual setting of a 'scholarly room,' creating a contrast between the cerebral and the carnal.

Morrissey's clever wordplay and the song's playful yet rebellious tone challenge the listener to consider the balance between intellectualism and hedonism. The line 'there's more to life than books, you know, but not much more' encapsulates this tension, suggesting that while intellectual pursuits are valuable, they are not the only important aspects of life. The song ultimately celebrates the complexity of human desires and the ways in which they can both conform to and defy societal expectations.