Notes By Passions Just Like Mine:
This song was introduced live many months before it was released. The earliest version, from 19 December 1983 (Live in Electric Ballroom), had many of these lyrics but a very different verse structure. Most interestingly, it had additional lyrics. As the Smiths played the song live throughout 1984, these extra lyrics were dropped and it would gradually become the version that was released in early 1985 on "Meat Is Murder". After the first basic verses given above, Morrissey sang:
A crack on the head is what you get
A crack on the head is what you get
for never asking, never asking
A crack on the head that's what you get
because you never ask
And a crack in the groin is what you get
and more
A crack on the head is what you get
because you never ask me
A crack on the head is what you get
because you ask me anything
A crack on your head
A warp on your mind
I've always been such a decent lad
I've always been such a decent lad
I've always been such a decent lad
I don't know what came over me today
I've always been such a decent lad
A crack on the head is what you get
Why for asking
A crack on the head is what you get
Why for asking
Unruly boys
who will not grow up
must be taken in hand
Unruly girls
who will not settle down
they must be taken in hand
Unruly boys
who will not grow up
they must be taken in hand
I am the man, I am the man
I am the man, I am the man
I am the man to keep you in place
I am the man you need to keep you in place
Unruly boys, unruly girls
I'm your man
I am your man...
Quotes:
Morrissey, March 1985: "From the time you get hit when you're a child, as covered in a song called 'Barbarism Begins At Home', violence is the only answer. Conversation is pointless."