The Smiths

A brief but iconic ballad from The Smiths, “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” expresses profound yearning and melancholy, cementing itself as one of the band’s most beloved and frequently covered songs.

Background and Origins

• Release Year: 1984
• Songwriters: Morrissey (lyrics) and Johnny Marr (music)
• Release Details: Originally appeared as the B-side to “William, It Was Really Nothing”; later featured on the compilation albums Hatful of Hollow (1984) and Louder Than Bombs (1987).
• Notable Soundtracks: The song appears in several films, including Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (an instrumental version by The Dream Academy), and (500) Days of Summer.

Musical and Lyrical Highlights

• Length: Very short for a pop song (approx. 1:52), emphasizing its fleeting emotional punch.
• Style: Marr’s folk-inspired guitar work in a waltz time signature underpins Morrissey’s deeply plaintive performance.
• Lyrical Themes: The lyrics focus on hope, longing, and the desire for change after prolonged disappointment: Good times for a change
  See, the luck I’ve had
  Can make a good man turn bad
  So please, please, please, let me, let me, let me
  Let me get what I want this time.
• Signature Mood: The sense of emotional urgency mirrors the brevity and simplicity of the music. Johnny Marr described it as an attempt to capture the “spookiness and sense of yearning” reminiscent of Del Shannon’s work.

Reception and Legacy

• Critical Status: Morrissey called its placement as a B-side “sinful,” arguing it deserved more attention—a sentiment echoed by fans and critics. Its inclusion on Hatful of Hollow was, in his words, “by way of semi-repentance”.
• Certifications: Gold in both the UK (400,000 units) and Italy (50,000 units).
• Cultural Impact: Frequently covered by artists across genres, including The Dream Academy, Deftones, Slow Moving Millie (whose 2011 version became a UK Top 40 hit), Muse, and many more.
• Cover Versions: The Dream Academy’s version, used in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, became especially notable—Morrissey, though initially dismissive, later embraced it for its atmospheric qualities.

Track and Compilation Listings

• Original B-side (7” single):
  1. Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
  2. In Places on the Run (Dream Academy version only)
• Albums:
  • Hatful of Hollow
  • Louder Than Bombs

Summary

“This Is Hardcore” remains an enduring anthem for anyone who has felt on the margins, its minimalism and universal longing helping it stand out as one of The Smiths’ most affecting and unforgettable songs12.

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