Meaning of "You've Got Everything Now" by The Smiths

The lyrics of "You've Got Everything Now" by The Smiths delve into themes of envy, self-doubt, and longing for connection. The narrator begins by reminiscing about the past, where they always felt superior to another person, always the winner. However, the tables have turned now, and the other person seemingly has everything compared to the mess the narrator has made of their own life. The mention of never having a job and not wanting one highlights the narrator's lack of motivation and perhaps a sense of alienation from conventional society. The line "I've seen you smile, but I never really heard you laugh" reveals the narrator's deep desire to truly know the other person, to experience a genuine connection beyond mere appearances. The question of who is rich and who is poor is left unanswered, emphasizing the subjective nature of wealth and the inability to truly gauge another person's inner feelings and experiences. The reference to being "your mother's only son" suggests a potential burden or expectation placed upon the other person, adding to their desperation. The narrator confesses to not genuinely liking the other person's face, which further highlights their internal struggle with envy and dissatisfaction. Ultimately, the narrator desires to be noticed, to be seen and acknowledged, but not necessarily in a romantic or sexual sense. The repeated mention of being tied to the back of the other person's car can be interpreted as a metaphor for the narrator's longing to be included, to be a part of the other person's life, even if only as a peripheral figure.