Elaine Lyrics
You hate, you scream, you swear And still you never reach him You curse, you try to scare But you can never teach him It's a dead end street They tie your hands and tie your feet And the street is narrow A nowhere lane A nowhere train for Elaine, Elaine, Elaine Elaine, Elaine, Elaine You know they're gonna get you You try to break away But they will never let you It's a dead end street They tie your hands and tie your feet And the street is narrow A nowhere lane A nowhere train for Elaine, Elaine, Elaine You're like a goldfish in a bowl Elaine, Elaine, Elaine They have your mind, they'll take your soul You come, you stay, you go It really doesn't matter You've done it all before By now they'll know the pattern It's a dead end street They tie your hands and tie your feet And the street is narrow A nowhere lane A nowhere train for Elaine, Elaine, Elaine You're like a goldfish in a bowl Elaine, Elaine, Elaine They have your mind, they'll take your soul Now that you're gone, you know they're gonna get you Now that you're gone, you know they'll never let you It's a dead end street They tie your hands and tie your feet And the street is narrow A nowhere lane A nowhere train for Elaine, Elaine, Elaine You're like a goldfish in a bowl Elaine, Elaine, Elaine They have your mind, they'll take your soul Now that you're gone, you know they're gonna get you Now that you're gone, you know they'll never let you
Exploring the Themes of “Elaine”
Entrapment and a Sense of No Escape
The lyrics of “Elaine” paint a vivid picture of entrapment and helplessness. The recurring image of a “dead end street” and the idea of hands and feet being tied communicate a feeling of being trapped with no way out. The phrase “nowhere lane, a nowhere train” suggests a journey that leads to nowhere, amplifying the song’s sense of futility and stagnation. Elaine becomes a symbol of anyone who is caught in a situation they cannot change, despite their struggles and protests.
The Struggle for Autonomy
Throughout the song, Elaine tries to break free — “you try to break away, but they will never let you” — yet every attempt is met with resistance. The lines “you’re like a goldfish in a bowl” and “they have your mind, they’ll take your soul” evoke a sense of surveillance and control, as if Elaine’s every move is watched and her thoughts manipulated. The goldfish metaphor underscores the futility: she is visible yet powerless, existing within invisible barriers.
Resignation and Repetition
There’s a sense of resignation in the lines “you come, you stay, you go, it really doesn’t matter / You’ve done it all before, by now they’ll know the pattern.” Elaine’s actions have become predictable, and any rebellion seems preordained to fail. This cyclical pattern reflects the broader human struggle against oppressive systems or relationships that seem impossible to escape.
Song Credits
- Songwriters: Morrissey, Johnny Marr
- Release Year: 1987
- Label: Rough Trade Records