Hairdresser on Fire - a social satire?

When I was making this thread I was in a rush. Let me elaborate more.

Simon Goddard in Mozipedia says, "A very simple song about trying to get hold of a hairdresser' is how Morrissey described this frivolous autobiographical sketch: during the period the song was written the singer lived in a flat just off "Sloane Square" in Chelsea. The lyrics betray an erotic fascination with 'the power' the hairdresser wields at their fingertips - capable of destroying or saving his physical appearance with a causal snip - tempered only by his exasperation at being unable to book an appointment in their hectic schedule."

So it appears straight from the horse's mouth that the song is about his relationship with his hairdresser. However, the lyrics to me seem to apparently be pointing another way.


Here is London, giddy of London
Is it home of the free -
Or what?

Morrissey describing London and asking whether or not the people living their are truly free

Can you squeeze me
Into an empty page of your diary
And psychologically save me?
I've got faith in you
I sense the power
Within the fingers
Within an hour the power
Could totally destroy me
(Or, it could save my life)

How people are so dependent on their hairdresser and how concerned they are with their looks. How a hairdresser can psychologically destroy someone or save their life.

Oh, here is London
"Home of the brash, outrageous and free"
You are repressed
But you're remarkably dressed
Is it Real?

Morrissey's shock at how people are more concerned with their looks than their freedoms and rights. Note how when singing live he says "That's all you need" emphasizing that's all people care about and need, their looks, more than their rights.

And you're always busy
Really busy
Busy, busy
Oh, hairdresser on fire
All around Sloane Square
And you\'re just so busy
Busy, busy
Busy scissors
Oh, hairdresser on fire
(Only the other day)

Possibly how people are so busy doing things that have little effect in a long term period. The hairdresser on fire line can be taken as a double meaning, showing how busy the hairdresser is, and Morrissey humorously calling for the death of the hairdresser and what they've done to people

Was a client, over-cautious
He made you nervous
And when he said
"I'm gonna sue you"
Oh, I really felt for you ...mmm...

Once again how crazy people are over their appearance. That someone would actually sue a hairdresser, Morrissey at this point pities the hairdresser, knowing how much pressure they are under for such an abysmal matter.

Just my interpretation. Morrissey, appalling and humorously making a song on people and their obsession with their looks, even making fun of himself as he is just as crazy about his looks as well.



I agree with most of the above BUT i don't think it's an "erotic" fascination, as Goddard claims, more an anxiety.

Also, Morrissey is on about his own vanity not just other peoples.

Nice song- a template for the hideous Bell and Sebs Dear Waitress, me thinks
 
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