The Smiths - William, It Was Really Nothing (Official Audio)

Official Audio for William, It Was Really Nothing by The Smiths
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William, It Was Really Nothing was released as a single in August 1984, reaching No. 17 in the UK Singles Charts. The song it also featured on the group's compilation albums Hatful of Hollow and Louder Than Bombs.
Lyrics
The rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This town has dragged you down
Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This town has dragged you down
Oh, no, and everybody's got to live their life
And God knows I've got to live mine
God knows I've got to live mine
William, William it was really nothing
William, William it was really nothing
It was your life...
How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say:
"Oh! Would you like to marry me?
"And if you like you can buy the ring"
She doesn't care about anything
Would you like to marry me?
And if you like you can buy the ring
I don't dream about anyone - except myself!
Oh, William, William it was really nothing
William, William
#TheSmiths #WilliamItWasReallyNothing #HatfulOfHolow

[@glossypeach777]

Their music is a good replica of my life because I'm not happy and I'm not sad.

[@bogonzales672]

Welcome to most of our lives.

[@zephead843]

You're in some really good headspace. Ideally you'll stay there.

[@milesontario1742]

THE DREAM IS GONE BUT THE BABY IS REALLLLLL

[@danjsy]

... Straight off to listen to that too 😀. How people don't recognise him (pre madness) as a hilarious lyricist I'll never understand.

[@rozzy3528]

AND IM NOT HAPPY AND IM NOT SAD

[@richardkaye618]

You have to love the smiths to see they make you feel anything but depressed

[@relaxwithriddles8016]

Very few of their songs are just depressing. Most of them are also heartwarming and uplifting. Also hilarious.

[@michawrzosek5417]

You probably don't realise how difficult it is to get this song right on guitar. Hats off to Johnny Marr

[@felixmedina6237]

VERY! IVE BEEN PLAYING FOR OVER 15YRS AND STILL FEEL SOMEWHAT INTIMIDATED TO EVEN APPROACH THIS SONG AND TRY TO PLAY IT!

[@garfield4863]

@@felixmedina6237 try it

[@Iae86]

@@felixmedina6237 As long as you´re not a perfectionist it is not that scary. If you are ok with not doing the exact same picking patterns and just playing the right shapes and strumming the rhythm you should be able to play an ok version of it! I was able to copy all the shapes from watching this guy (who plays a perfect version, so hats of to him too): kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2mVZZqHe5Jqm80

[@robertyeah2259]

@@Iae86 i mean if you dont play it exactly then ofc it isnt too hard lol 😂 im not a guitarist but the one i know thinks the intricate way the guitar is played is part of what makes The Smiths stand out

[@Iae86]

@@robertyeah2259 If you don't play the guitar you don't know if it is hard or easy to play it even at 50% of the complexity that Marr plays. This song still has pretty complex shapes and rythm compared to many songs. What I'm saying is that if you start learning it in a way you feel you can handle you will feel happy, you will be able to sing along to it and it will sound pretty good. And then if you want you can brake it down even more and try to get all the details and you won't be as scared as if you try to learn it perfect right away. Progress take time.

[@peanutbuttercoat7621]

" would you like to marry me , and if you'd like you could buy the ring " out of all the lines this is still my favorite

[@eduardomendonca680]

"i dont dream about anyone, except myself"

[@the2ndcoming135]

That’s what happens when you bang one of your speakers, and wake up hungover the next day🤣

[@dean-marr]

I can play it, but at a way way way slower speed lol. 😆 Marr is insane on the 12 string rickenbacker and the speed and picking is unreal

[@nonprofitgirl]

I don’t dream about anyone…except myself. William, it was really nothing.

[@ShaunBoden-dj9go]

With a fat bird from Sale.

[@boglot]

Morrissey was in the zone when he sang this one. Such a good performance

[@fightsforrights9744]

100%

[@danpichon5811]

Yup

[@concars1234]

Based Moz

[@Rainbow-mb2kh]

Say "thank´s" to Johnny for that. In the studio he was very strict with morrisey.

[@lucretiareflection7247]

This song is so criminally short, wish it could last longer 🖤

[@saloFCB1899]

Specially the beginning “this town...” 0:20 Simply amazing

[@sunny1992s]

Like a relationship.

[@fightsforrights9744]

It's perfect, especially how it ends.

[@clintjones9848]

Put that mofo on loop.

[@neilonaniet]

Johnny Marr himself said that the reason it's so short is because he wanted it that way. He said he wanted to make a pop song that was just over two minutes long, but which still conveyed everything it needed to. Which it did.

[@latinguy67]

Please take a moment to give props to Andy Rourke who died today, 5.19.2023 and his immeasurable contribution to The Smiths. Thank u, a random Gen X'er.

[@MiguelRCSConta]

They are THE band.

[@markiepookiee]

0:53 has to be one of the best chord progressions i’ve ever heard

[@s.k.9401]

agreed

[@Rainbow-mb2kh]

This Song is full of goodness. Only god knows how much i love johnny, andy and mike for their music. Im sorry for morrisey, i only like him for the lyrics and vocal melodies for the smiths.. for nothing more.

[@Rainbow-mb2kh]

This Song is full of goodness. Only god knows how much i love johnny, andy and mike for their music. Im sorry for morrisey, i only like him for the lyrics and vocal melodies for the smiths.. for nothing more.

[@FingerBreakerWu]

This is, by definition, a perfect song. So many layers of goodness by all members of the band.

[@FF-oo8nz]

It's literally two chords..

[@Jjjjoooyyycee]

That intro is just instant euphoria to me😳 like someone I have missed for 10 years just knocked on my door and invited me to go on a bike ride down a hill

[@brycesterling947]

I hear great sadness but lots of hope in each song. I feel very uplifted every time I listen to morrisseys music 💙

[@user-ev1uo7sb8n]

the smiths music.

[@brycesterling947]

/ morrisseys music

[@edannoble4116]

Johnny marrs music

[@brycesterling947]

big man Chan / morrisseys music

[@mad4it747]

The Smiths music

[@giovannicardenas7448]

The rain falls hard on a humdrum town This town has dragged you down Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town This town has dragged you down Oh, no, and everybody's got to live their life And God knows I've got to live mine God knows I've got to live mine William, William it was really nothing William, William it was really nothing It was your life... How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say: "Oh! Would you like to marry me? "And if you like you can buy the ring" She doesn't care about anything Would you like to marry me? And if you like you can buy the ring I don't dream about anyone - except myself! Oh, William, William it was really nothing William, William

[@danny3xeer]

Aren't the lyrics in the description?

[@leom8859]

😬😬😬

[@grabrier4811]

S . Ñ.

[@grabrier4811]

S . Ñ.

[@grabrier4811]

S . Ñ.

[@SamuelEMPowell131]

RIP Andy Rourke one of the smoothest and funkiest bass players of all time, you can hear him carrying that back beat also Johnny Marr and Morrissey are a songwriting pair for the ages, that Tremolo effect is so haunting yet so amazing! My music producer friend and I were listening to Morrissey's solo work earlier and it just isn't the same without The Smiths line up, I wanna throw him love while I'm here as we've been through a lot together, try searching Lonely Gimmick - Roll Me Over, it gives me Smiths jangle pop vibes and I'm honestly so impressed with the tune as he did it all himself on his laptop

[@esdfg]

Beginning of the song, first four verses, is another perfect combination of Marr’s and Morrissey’s geniuses: Lyrics with Morrissey’s voice, matching perfectly with Marr’s guitar riffs and sounds, or, vice versa. It’s one of the most memorable song sections in my memory.

[@bricepaul80]

esdfg and Andy Rourke Bass riffs which hold it all together

[@suite6creative]

Oooh i dig the chord change at the lyric "God knows I've got to live mine" ... it caught me off guard but was nice and refreshing to hear

[@paulmitchell8056]

Yes, agree - it's major7 majesty

[@alfieburns9019]

good old Amaj7, one of the best chords IMO

[@clintjones9848]

It's because it sounds like a modulation, not because of the specific chord you fooz.

[@nicolot4652]

You might like post grunge

[@cujocujo4942]

RIP Andy! 🙏 what a bassline

[@mybldyvlntn]

The way he sings this one is just too good for words. Utterly hypnotic and one of my favourite Smiths songs.

[@ingrida.5058]

one of my all-time favorites. means so much to me. but then again, that's every smiths song, isn't it?

[@JadeJewels]

For sure lol & "Well I wonder" being one of the many too-- Hope your day is going swell Ingrid#2 ! Sincerely, another Ingrid x)

[@Jjjjoooyyycee]

Mood 🥲

[@macurban7946]

It's so hard to play. It's much harder to play than "This Charming Man." Marr wrote it in a car in LA

[@123glenbo]

My uncles song played at his funeral 17-5-19 😢 RIP uncle billy 💔💔

[@TheFurio2]

123glenbo your uncle had a good taste in music

[@AbuseForViews]

Joe Buck Yourself and his name was william

[@4jewel8]

Great song for a funeral xoxo

[@captainginko]

I think I would have liked your uncle William. Xo

[@Mulch-Muncher]

You know this songs about a gay person who’s called William who dates a fat girl to cover up the fact he’s gay

[@michaelolz]

If you can play this song on guitar, you're officially a professional.

[@wideernie]

I've played guitar for 40 years and it still isn't easy. It's the plectrum hand that kills you!

[@martinevensen406]

Someone said this is the hardest smiths song on guitar

[@alisadetwiler3404]

His name is Johnny effing Marr.

[@tamonysilva3874]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJXFlJ6OgNqnppY this deserves to be heard

[@User-jk8wq]

If you ever want to be tremendously humbled, learn to play the lead part perfectly and then try to get your head around the acoustic part. Jesus christ I swear Jonny Marr is from another planet

[@erithecure2123]

The rain falls hard on a humdrum town This town has dragged you down Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town This town has dragged you down Oh, no, and everybody's got to live their life And God knows I've got to live mine God knows I've got to live mine William, William, it was really nothing William, William, it was really nothing It was your life How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say "Oh! Would you like to marry me? And if you like you can buy the ring" She doesn't care about anything "Would you like to marry me? And if you like you can buy the ring" I don't dream about anyone, except myself Oh, William, William, it was really nothing William, William

[@wideernie]

The guitar in this alone should have 5 million views.

[@himalia7884]

Hits different when the rain rlly does fall on ur humdrum down :(

[@hopebgood]

Need a hug? Well, you're going to get one anyway! *hug* 😉

[@hopebgood]

@@himalia7884 Thanks so much 😀

[@himalia7884]

@@hopebgood

[@jlouis4407]

One of the finest songs ever released.

[@v-town1980]

Reminds me of being 13 in '87 and first hearing this from my older brother's room. Golden years...wop wop...

[@lupodelupis3672]

A Hatful Of Hollow an album full of so many great songs. And this is the perfect exemple of one of them.

[@inagreenminute6525]

The Smiths spoke and still speak for those who may feel stuck on zero. Really they're fine and completely normal but that's how some feel. And the lyrics.. some sad, profound, strangely bizarre and not for everyone. Those in the club know this and we're here for it, fitting perfectly, like a hand ✋🏾 in glove 🧤.

[@notlob23]

The guitar riffs are fabulous..

[@lozu8947]

Morrissey’s lyrics are the most fun to sing along to

[@f1sh_st1cks]

His voice is so calming and it makes me feel relieved for some reason

[@johnjeffers1524]

maybe because he is so *real.* Not afraid to be himself. "Relieving" is a good word for it, then. It is a relief to know that we can be ourselves. I mean, this man is one of the great 20th/21st century artists. One of the most original, too.

[@willwelh439]

As a William my history teacher Mr Williams played this song for the whole class in lesson one time about 4-5 years ago and im only now rediscovering this great song :-)

[@jones848]

You teacher has very good taste and so do you!

[@wiilliiam_berry]

I find this song very funny XD

[@sarahbreisch4750]

Lovely. I like to find a name-song for my family members-- this one if for my little brother William (in name only, happily married with three kids)

[@johnjeffers1524]

he sounds like a narcissist! damn. LOL.

[@alisadetwiler3404]

Johnny Marr, brilliant guitar player

[@lone-wolf-yt]

Now in English: I remember perfectly when I met the band. The year was 2016, December 18th. This is a remarkable day, because that's when I decided to get interested in really important things. I started by resolving to enter the Reading Library (Saraiva). I decided to buy some books to get out of this immensity of emptiness, pain and suffering. The love of reading was instantaneous. I spent hours there and discovered that this was my place. I was looking at a book when I was playing a song on the radio in the bookstore. Until then he had totally ignored the music. That's when a girl of about 23 years of age passes next to me. She was singing the song with so much feeling that I had to comment with my friend next to her saying: The people who visit this place are people with culture. People who are light years ahead of us. I can not stay behind. At the same moment, I mentally asked myself: This song is good. Was not that the kind of thing you were after? Then I immediately picked up my cell phone and opened Shazam. I held up my cell phone so it was possible to identify the music I was playing. I quickly discovered that the name of the song I was playing was: *William, it was really nothing* 🖤 Throughout the year 2017 I got to know the rest of the songs. I have one of the band that is considered as my favorite song, but it is undeniable that *William, it was really nothing* was the song that, along with reading, began to change my life. The Smiths is timeless 🖤✨❄

[@ainemc3515]

Pedro Pães sorry to say mate they broke up ages before you met them🤔

[@lone-wolf-yt]

@@ainemc3515 I know that, my friend. I was just talking about the day I met the band. I was talking about how I met her. I heard the same day that they had separated. But this is irrelevant. I do not think there should be continuity in something that you do not do with love and pleasure.

[@ainemc3515]

Pedro Pães i agree 100% they could not have continued, unfortunately

[@BlackenedAngel]

Vc é Br, eu entendi o seu texto falo ingles tbm kkkk, a saraiva é legal gostava de ir la tbm, cresci ouvindo os smiths desde criança

[@igorpirilo8295]

carai bicho que foda

[@Parmera_1914]

best Band ever 👌

[@RealLucasVieira]

Sem dúvida

[@FerminCoronel]

But will they come to Brazil?

[@kaycknayan8266]

Haven’t little cup, haven’t world championship

[@wiilliiam_berry]

BIENVENIDO A BRASIL

[@fernandojunior543]

Porco, porra meu. Sou da Móoca.

[@voyagerdark]

The guitar in the intro of this song is heavenly

[@chrisbarnette7137]

I had a girl send this to me during our break up. It's stood out since.

[@seankilburn7200]

That’s pretty brutal

[@Pres-ic2tk]

To appreciate The Smiths, who specialised in bleak wonders in murky rain-drenched streets, you have to be Northern.

[@craiglewis6145]

The tone and attack on the bass is perfect here.

[@soeqq]

his voice makes me feel alive

[@SpeculativeConjecture]

RIP Andy

[@eeemich]

💔

[@Pres-ic2tk]

The rain falls down on a humdrum town is seared across my mind.

[@antennawilde]

This song is so short it has to be played three times in a row.

[@orwell9788]

Andy Rourke's melodic bass playing melds together with Marr's layered guitars so beautifully

[@xandermanall70]

An absolute masterpiece.... brilliant, etc.,all those type things

[@GrimSnipex]

Honestly my favorite song rn good vibes all around much love

[@Puchi1959]

Such an uplifting song! Great work from Morrisey and Marr. Their effects will be eternal!

[@katem9428]

Every song tells a story 💗

[@danstone6871]

Oh, Andy, how did you come up with these lines? The bass player above all others. Thank you. I’ve spent forty years chasing your tail. RIP lovely chap.

[@stirfrybry1]

I used to have to rewind the cassette a dozen times to get my fix. I still love it the same 30 years on

[@suburbankaren5137]

Soo true! My Smiths cassettes got destroyed being rewound so much😂😂

[@rbnnnb1676]

Descansa en paz Andy 🖤

[@TimJYoung-il9sv]

This is my favorite Smiths song.

[@amimarietomaino3040]

One of my favorite songs

[@torvomheabingham3533]

If a song was judged by its B-side then this would be one of the greatest songs ever written

[@biddyfox]

THE BASS!!!!!

[@skord176]

Andy Rourke is the unsung hero of the band

[@dadoodfrumcheers.]

Skord 176 most underrated bass player of all time if u ask me

[@eeemich]

❤️

[@robinavalyn9513]

I practiced singing with the Smiths back in the original days. My odd range fit perfectly, in & around Morrisey’s & his vocal gymnastics never ceased to amaze! Still, decades later, I try to exercise singingly to his/their music.

[@johnjeffers1524]

How is a wide range "odd"?? You are just bragging.

[@ShaferHart]

@@johnjeffers1524 he said "odd range" not wide range.

[@leebasham6100]

The Smiths is the Sound Track of my life, a wonderful one.

[@laurenceellis8311]

Smiths are like a fine wine, just getting better with age...❤

[@lone-wolf-yt]

Classic. Timeless! 🖤

[@TheSmiths10Tons]

God knows I've got to live mine.

[@nicolot4652]

The only imperfection I can find in this song is that it's too short. Excellent songwriting

[@s.k.9401]

BROOOO THIS SONG IS SO GOOD

[@Ross_Milton]

0:41 sounds like the end of an american sitcom lol

[@victorpegala2698]

Wish the Smiths were back all together one day before I die

[@eeemich]

💔

[@leejones4497]

Two minutes and twelve seconds of perfection.

[@inakillportes66]

Best song of smiths Ever

[@Sleepy818x]

this song was made for Will Smith who thought the bands name was based off his name.

[@BunnaySango]

That second verse hits different post entanglement 🤣

[@normanrobson8654]

The song is widely believed to be about Billy McKenzie of The Associates fame. A quick Google search will verify this

[@blumer9615]

@@normanrobson8654 nope it’s about will smith

[@normanrobson8654]

@@blumer9615 no it's not.

[@localyoutubecreature]

@@normanrobson8654 yes it is. stop acting like you know anything

[@FingerBreakerWu]

This is a really good sounding source of the song.

[@alfiewhitnell1387]

I still and always will believe this song is about Billy Mackenzie (Which he wrote a song in reply “Stephen, you’re really something.” Billy and Stephen were very fond of each other until Billy stole a book from Morriseys flat, haha!

[@Nigel-Webb]

Lol. Is that in Morrisey’s book? I’m reading Marr’s autobiography “Set the boy free” at the moment. Straight on to Mozzer’s next.

[@HumansFreshlyBorn]

Most underrated Schmitts song

[@user-qs7ip6we5m]

Die Schmitts xD

[@WeskerXM96E1]

Absolutely masterful. Truly The Smiths at their best!

[@karenandrews4224]

Johnny Marr’s riffs are epic

[@iranirodriguesdamota4009]

Beautiful!!!

[@Jusell]

I love a man called William ❤

[@TheTotalfailgames]

Jusellicious dont let him marry a Fat girl

[@JadeJewels]

Oh, How does one tell the person..? What a pity I am😪😅

[@freewilliam93]

Thanks

[@Starkman1992]

The Smith's song are my life soundtrack

[@johneeeemarry34]

Homosexual ‘relationships’ with Billy Mackenzie from the Associates?

[@Foxtrot2112]

Masterpiece!

[@nickdeutsch8369]

“I don’t dream about anyone except myself” ❤️‍🩹

[@Alexa_.]

Really everything is better with the smiths ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@bootlegsbeyondgorski9596]

I can hear the British rain in Marr's guitar

[@bernardmorris2922]

Exhilarating melancholia at its very best with one of the best opening lines you will ever hear.

[@dessieodonovan6573]

One of their top 50 songs. Best band of the 80’. The Cure is a close second

[@sueelliott4793]

I will always love Morrissey, he is awesome still in 2023 ❤

[@haznick]

Such a beautiful chorus.

[@hourglas39]

Classic! Thanks for sharing.

[@dave7015]

My friend Jay Smith introduced me to The Smiths in 1987. I'll always be grateful.

[@anacleidealmeida8314]

Todas as músicas de The Smiths me despertam sentimentos maravilhosos, ao mesmo tempo me deixa um pouco triste pq lembro da minha infância, as piores lembranças são sempre as felizes, pq são só lembranças

[@luisaugusto1387]

Então também sou assim, essas músicas para mim são como as luzes de Natal eu amo lembram da minha infância, mas me enchem de saudade e tristeza me sinto em um paradoxo

[@adlima1976]

Realmente difícil de explicar esse sentimento

[@amandavolitov8647]

Ele abriu o Show em São Paulo com William... Eu quase morri de tanto chorar e gritar cantando desafinada mesmo!

[@violetsyoutube124]

this is honestly amazing 💜❤️

[@evanh9896]

This song reminds so much of my best friend, I miss you will

[@serdarjoshua5840]

the feeling this song gives me that i cannot explain with words..

[@chelseaacidcasual2825]

Nothing sad about this......pure bliss.

[@puzwill]

They had to stop playing because the world wouldn't handle that much perfection in one song

[@martinbosch8022]

Happy - sad,.. beautiful... 💕😊😉💕

[@tolofa4585]

my last name is smith and my first is william how the hell am i supposed to feel about this song

[@sc0tt11]

Dude I know you were conflicted but smacking Chris Rock was not the answer.

[@notlob23]

One of THE best songs..

[@pythonbyte]

so many humdrum towns in grey dear old blighty, this one still bites.

[@jmckenzie962]

The only bad thing about this song is that it's too short.

[@dicasdesaudeparaleigos7378]

Sempre músicas maravilhosas!!! 😍😍😍❤❤❤

[@anacleidealmeida8314]

Verdade ❤

[@nelsano3]

I love this tune ❤️🙏😎

[@janfranszuidema8512]

Thank you Morrissey for being there in those days. It was intimate & special... ;)