I know this probably makes me sound a bit thick...

[starstruck]

I recall being rather disappointed by S.Y.M.M. - it was like "we are going to reference an horrific event but we are not going to say anything about it as such". why bother, then?

[richeysite]

Any time I play the album, I just skip SYMM (easy enough to do, since it's the last track). There's only three or four Manics songs I just can't listen to like that.

[ManicsTheHedgehog]

Originally Posted by starstruck

I recall being rather disappointed by S.Y.M.M. - it was like "we are going to reference an horrific event but we are not going to say anything about it as such". why bother, then?

Agreed

[counterlanguage]

Originally Posted by Blixa

Which is basically the gist of the song, so it's a shame he didn't take that attitude before writing the lyrics.

SYMM... is a bit like this post I'm writing right now - which is about how a good a post this could have been, if I'd actually written what I wanted to say in the first place, instead of just writing a big pile of guff.

[V.S.E.C]

I always took this as more being about wanting to write about an event but, for whatever reason not being able to find the words. Musically I think it's one of their most interesting songs including a great solo. Probably would have been better for everyone if it was a B-side though!

[Mr Richey]

Originally Posted by V.S.E.C

I always took this as more being about wanting to write about an event but, for whatever reason not being able to find the words. Musically I think it's one of their most interesting songs including a great solo. Probably would have been better for everyone if it was a B-side though!

"South Yorkshire Mass Murderer" is musically brilliant, lyrically poor - but only if you fail to appreciate the subtlety of writing a lyric about being lost for words. That's what it's about, not failing to write a song like other people in this thread have suggested. It's about an event that pains you so much you're lost for words when trying to describe your feelings about it.

[Deets]

I feel lucky I can not focus on words. I wonder why they didn't end with Nobody Loved You (PURE PERFECTION, NLY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVER RECORDED IN THE MUSIC HISTORY). or probably they had some more songs recorded in that session.

[Takk]

Originally Posted by Mr Richey

"South Yorkshire Mass Murderer" is musically brilliant, lyrically poor - but only if you fail to appreciate the subtlety of writing a lyric about being lost for words. That's what it's about, not failing to write a song like other people in this thread have suggested. It's about an event that pains you so much you're lost for words when trying to describe your feelings about it.

There's a fine line between the two, and if so - not in my opinion done very well.

[Mr Richey]

Originally Posted by Takk

There's a fine line between the two, and if so - not in my opinion done very well.

Okay...I guess it's not done really really well, but for what it is I think it works. It's true I love the music about a million times more than the lyrics but I suppose the real reason I'm willing to give it a pass is James' beautiful high notes when he sings "maaaass murdereeeerrrr"

[Europa Gluten Free]

I don't mind SYMM at all. I have no problem with the admittedly crap lyrics as aesthetically the music fits perfectly in with the overall musical approach of the album - overproduced vacuousness.

[The Gutless Wonder]

Don't start on Truth again............................................. ................!!!

[sculptureofabloke]

Yeah, meaning's been covered enough here, what they all said.

Lyrics are shite but I like the music. I don't think there's another track on This Is My Truth, or any of the bsides of the era that would've made a more suitable closer either.

[MSPlover]

It's not my favorite song in the album. most of the time I just skip the song.

[starstruck]

Originally Posted by sculptureofabloke

Lyrics are shite but I like the music. I don't think there's another track on This Is My Truth, or any of the bsides of the era that would've made a more suitable closer either.

actually, i would argue that for numerous reasons Prologue To History would have been an excellent album closer, now that i think about it.

[meganslastwords]

Originally Posted by starstruck

actually, i would argue that for numerous reasons Prologue To History would have been an excellent album closer, now that i think about it.

prologue to history is great, i agree