My Gen X Playlist: I Know It’s Over – The Smiths

In three years I’ll be right around 60. That will be my first checkpoint on possible retirement. It’s not guaranteed I can jump in, but there is a sliver of hope. Realistically, it’s more likely retirement will be five years instead of three. Until then, I’ll feel fortunate to be working. I know there are others right now living in uncertainty. That’s a difficult position to be in. This economic and political climate makes me appreciate what I have.

My good friend is at another firm and her target date is a year and a half. She was my first manager in the industry and we’ve worked at multiple companies together over the years. We’ve become good friends as our paths zigzagged back and forth. We’ve both had long careers and quite frankly, we’re both exhausted.

People warn me that I might be bored in retirement. It’s a valid concern. I’m not worried about that at all, though. I always can find ways to occupy my time. The big question is if we’ve saved enough to hang it up. I’m not sure if I’ll ever feel comfortable not receiving a steady paycheck. Adding a few extra years might make me feel more comfortable before walking away. But like the title of The Smith’s song I Know It’s Over, I’ll just know when it’s time.

This song – often cited as The Smiths’ “bleakest ballad” – sees a dying man reflect on what he feels was his wasted and lonely life. 

The Smiths discussed having a trumpet player on the refrain at the end. They got a session guy in and told him to do what he wanted. There was no score for him to play to, and he started floating some ideas around.

It sounded great, but the band felt it sounded weird hearing a trumpet on a Smiths song, so they binned it.

Songfacts

There was a time when I was wasting my life with an unhealthy imbalance of work. Thankfully, I came to my senses before I became that dying man Morrissey sings about. Better late than never, I say. And for the record, I’ll keep the trumpet player for my refrain at the end of my career. I’ll crank up the volume for that part as I say goodbye to corporate America.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
And as I climb into an empty bed
Oh well, enough said

I know it's over – still I cling
I don't know where else I can go
Over

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
See, the sea wants to take me
The knife wants to slit me
Do you think you can help me?
Sad veiled bride, please be happy
Handsome groom, give her room
Loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly
Though she needs you more than she loves you

And I know it's over – still I cling
I don't know where else I can go
Over and over and over and over
Over and over
I know it's over, and it never really began
But in my heart it was so real
And you even spoke to me, and said:

"If you're so funny
Then why are you on your own tonight?
And if you're so clever
Then why are you on your own tonight?
If you're so very entertaining
Then why are you on your own tonight?
If you're so very good-looking
Why do you sleep alone tonight?
I know... 'cause tonight is just like any other night
That's why you're on your own tonight
With your triumphs and your charms
While they're in each other's arms..."

It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind
Over, over, over, over
It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind
Over, over
Love is natural and real
But not for you, my love
Not tonight, my love
Love is natural and real
But not for such as you and I
My love

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head