On January 2, 1984, producer Seymour Stein bought Johnny Marr a red Gibson ES-355 in exchange for a promise that he would sign a contract with Sire Records. While in a room in the New York hotel Iroquois, the musician picked up the coveted instrument and immediately composed the music for the song, which played a very important role in the story of the rock band The Smiths.
The story and Meaning of Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
The lyrics were written by Morrissey. He woke up with a terrible hangover and conveyed in the text his condition and attitude to the world around him.
The name Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now may be a reference to the song Heaven Knows I’m Missing Him Now by Sandie Shaw. The Smiths appreciated her work and previously performed the song Hand in Glove with her.
Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now began a collaboration between The Smiths and producer Stephen Street. He shared his impressions of working with musicians:
I was their big fan and couldn’t believe they were joining us. Luckily for me, at the time I was the only full-time sound engineer, and I had the lucky break that everyone in the industry needs. They came to record a track called Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now. The rest is history, as they say.
Under the Radar
Morrissey had previously been known as a not very cheerful guy, and because of this song, the reputation of an eternally depressed person was finally entrenched in him. He later recalled:
Many years ago I sang a song called Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now and it became like an old school uniform for me. People insist that I wear it, but I’m actually not that unhappy. I can’t call myself an unhappy person. Not a drop. I am definitely very surprised and very glad that I am still here.
London Sunday Times, 2017
Release and achievements
The song was recorded in March 1984 at Fallout Shelter Studios in London.
Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now was not included on the Smiths’ studio album. It was released as a single on May 21, 1984. The track was later included on the Hatful of Hollow compilation.
Let’s listen online Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now rock band The Smiths.
The song reached number ten on the UK Singles Chart, which was The Smiths’ highest achievement at the time.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later included Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now in their “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll” list.
Video of Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now – The Smiths
Next, you can watch the online clip Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, which is called the official music video for the track on The Smiths YouTube channel.
Also popular is the music video Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, filmed at The Smiths’ 1984 Top of the Pops performance.
Cover versions
Act recorded Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now in 1988. The song was included in the album Laughter, Tears and Rage.
Interesting Facts
- Together with Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, Marr wrote the track Girl Afraid. He later recalled: “In my head, these two songs are like a couple, because they were both written on the same day on this guitar.”
- The cover of the single Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now features Englishwoman Viv Nicholson. She is known for spending huge lottery winnings on alcohol, expensive cars and boutique clothes in the sixties.
- Journalist Andrew Collins used the title of the song in his autobiography Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now: My Difficult Student 80s.
Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now Lyrics by The Smiths
I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I’m miserable now
I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
And heaven knows I’m miserable now
In my life
Why do I give valuable time
To people who don’t care if I live or die?
Two lovers entwined pass me by
And heaven knows I’m miserable now
I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
And heaven knows I’m miserable now
In my life
Oh, why do I give valuable time
To people who don’t care if I live or die?
What did she ask of me at the end of the day
Caligula would have blushed
“Oh, you’ve been in the house too long” she said
And I naturally fled
In my life
Why do I smile
At people who I’d much rather kick in the eye?
I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I’m miserable now
“Oh, you’ve been in the house too long” she said
And I naturally fled
In my life
Oh, why do I give valuable time
To people who don’t care if I live or die?
Lyrics: STEVEN MORRISSEY, JOHNNY MARR
Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC INC.
- They say that in his younger years, Morrissey wrote in his diary that he was depressed, so he could not find a job, but when he found a place for himself, the depression did not disappear.
- Caligula was an ancient Roman emperor known for his cruelty and propensity for sexual perversion.
Download Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
On Song-Story you can not download the song Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now for free, but you can listen to The Smiths tracks online and watch the band’s music videos in good quality. If you need sheet music, backing tracks, tabs or a karaoke version, thematic sites for musicians will help you.
