The Smiths - Pretty Girls Make Graves Meaning

Pretty Girls Make Graves Lyrics

Upon the sand, upon the bay
"There is a quick and easy way" you say
Before you illustrate
I'd rather state :
"I'm not the man you think I am
I'm not the man you think I am"

And Sorrow's native son
He will not smile for anyone

And...

1. anonymous

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   Sep 1st 2013 !⃝

   this comes directly from Jack Kerouac. He surmised that pretty girls led to sex which led to pregnancy which leads to life, and eventually death. That is what is meant by Pretty Girls Make Graves.
2. anonymous

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   Jun 13th 2011 !⃝

   He gave up on lookin for woman in his life
3. anonymous

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   Dec 20th 2010 !⃝

   There is a conflict here between the boy and the girl. she is promiscuous and driven by lust hence;
   
   "Then, on the sand
   Another man, he takes her hand
   A smile lights up her stupid face
   (and well, it would)"
   
   He however is shy, respectful and responsible and is not comfortable with such a brazen proposition in fact it would seem that he is intimidated by women and sex in general hence:
   
   "And Sorrow's native son
   He will not rise for anyone"
   AND
   "I could have been wild and I could have
   Been free
   But Nature played this trick on me"
   
   As for the Title: Two possibilities in my mind.
   
   1. the feelings of self doubt and worthlessness from rejection and ridicule could leave him feeling suicidal.
   
   2. I feel there is a hint in the first verse towards Abortion. i.e.. "There is a quick and easy way".
   
   lastly. I also think that the same verse;
   
   "And Sorrow's native son
   He will not rise for anyone"
   
   would council out the theory that this boy is a homosexual. If that were the case then the verse would read as follows:
   
   And Sorrow's native son
   He will rise for someone!
   
   (Along with Sheila). I take a bow.