Question about The Boy with the Thorn In His Side

[Wes]

Hello, everyone,

I have a quick question, and pardon my ignorance if the answer is popular knowledge. After seeing the current wallpaper on Mrs. Shankly's, it occurred to me to ask whether the song "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" is really about Truman Capote. He was the cover star on the single. Anybody got the skinny on this one?

Thanks,

Wesley Whitefield

[stux]

Moz answered this one during an interview with Margi Clarke. I recall its purely another stab at the record / radio business.

I picture it something like : The Smiths were the boy, the record industry was the thorn in their side. And if the didn't believe in them now etc etc. More to do with "who'd you need to know"

Hope that helps

PS. My favourite Morrissey vocal ever. "If they don't believe us now will they ever believe us" brings me out in goosepimples every time.

[Strawberry]

...only goosepimples ?

Margi Clarke - Bleached Strawberry Blonde.

Strawberry

> Moz answered this one during an interview with Margi Clarke. I recall its
> purely another stab at the record / radio business.

> I picture it something like : The Smiths were the boy, the record industry
> was the thorn in their side. And if the didn't believe in them now etc
> etc. More to do with "who'd you need to know"

> Hope that helps

> PS. My favourite Morrissey vocal ever. "If they don't believe us now
> will they ever believe us" brings me out in goosepimples every time.

[Johnny]

> Hello, everyone,

> I have a quick question, and pardon my ignorance if the answer is popular
> knowledge. After seeing the current wallpaper on Mrs. Shankly's, it
> occurred to me to ask whether the song "The Boy with the Thorn in His
> Side" is really about Truman Capote. He was the cover star on the
> single. Anybody got the skinny on this one?

> Thanks,

> Wesley Whitefield

The only thing I can really remember Morrisey saying about this song was that it was "semi-autobiographical". Take from that what you will

[Wes]

Thanks, everyone for your answers. I can see how the song could be autobiographical and about the record industry. It truly is a beautiful song, and gives me goose pimples too.