"A Song From Under The Floorboards"
(Howard Devoto/Magazine)

 

This song, a cover from the band Magazine, has yet to appear on an album. The song's lyrics are transcribed here as they are heard, without permission.

I am angry, I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin
I don't know what keeps me alive and kicking
I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit
I know beauty and I know a good thing when I speak it

This is a song from under the floorboards
here is a song from where the wall is cracked
my force of habit, I am an insect
and I must confess I'm very proud of that

I have known the highest and I've known the best
I accord death with all its due respect
but the brightest jewel inside of me
glows with pleasure at my own stupidity

This is a song from under the floorboards
here is a song from where the wall is cracked
my force of habit, I am an insect
and I must confess I'm very proud of that

I used to make phantoms I could later chase
images of all that could be desired
then I got tired of counting all of these so-called blessings
and then I just got tired

This is a song from under the floorboards
here is a song from where the wall is cracked
my force of habit, I am an insect
and I must confess I'm very proud of that

This is a song from under the floorboards
here is a song from where the wall is cracked
my force of habit, I am an insect
and I must confess I'm very proud of that

 

Here are the lyrics for the original version as done by Magazine. Segments where Morrissey made changes are highlighted in italic.

I am angry I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin
my irritability keeps me alive and kicking
I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit
I know beauty and I know a good thing when I see it

This is a song from under the floorboards
this is a song from where the wall is cracked
my force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact

I know the highest and the best
I accord them all due respect
but the brightest jewel inside of me
glows with pleasure at my own stupidity

This is a song from under the floorboards
this is a song from where the wall is cracked
my force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact

I used to make phantoms I could later chase
images of all that could be desired
then I got tired of counting all of these blessings
and then I just got tired

This is a song from under the floorboards
this is a song from where the wall is cracked
my force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact

This is a song from under the floorboards
this is a song from where the wall is cracked
my force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact