Fiona’s next Smiths selection is the 1984 single ‘William, It Was Really Nothing,’ one of the band’s signature tunes and one of nine top 20 hits they had in the UK.
This is a quick, jaunty track, and a real contrast from the melancholy songs Fiona has chosen so far. The young woman contains multitudes.
The subject of ‘William, It Was Really Nothing’ has been debated, with some claiming it is directed at Billy Mackenzie, lead singer of the Scottish band The Associates and others suggesting it’s about the 1959 Keith Waterhouse novel Billy Liar, a favorite book of Morrissey’s and one that inspired at least two other songs.
Mackenzie leaned into the rumor and wrote a song called ‘Stephen, You’re Really Something‘ in 2000 (Morrissey’s first name is Steven).
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
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
[Chorus]
William, William it was really nothing
William, William it was really nothing
It was your life
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus]
William, William it was really nothing
William, William
Meet Me In Montauk 
I have said this about many Smith’s songs, but I must say it again, this is one of the very best songs of all time.
The way that intro comes in and the build-up to the first chorus, ugh, perfection. Nice choice Fiona!!
One of the very best songs of all time? I can’t even….
This song is likely in my top ten Smiths songs, and the Smiths are one of my top ten artists, so I’d say the math backs up that assessment.
Yes! I stand by it!
Morrissey’s voice certainly goes down better when the song is more upbeat and jaunty.
Oh wow who picked this, it’s great?! This is a great example of a Smiths song that is happy and upbeat. I surprised myself with this one. I was expecting pure melancholy for all 10 days! I have yet to hear a song that couldn’t be handed the title of “best song of all time.”