The Smiths – What Difference Does It Make? Lyrics - Genius

2025, In ReviewFeaturedChartsVideosPromote Your MusicSign Up14What Difference Does It Make?The SmithsProducerJohn PorterTrack 9 onComplete Jan. 16, 19841 viewer135K views71 ContributorsTranslations

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What Difference Does It Make? Lyrics

“What Difference Does It Make?” is the Smiths' third single in the UK, released on the 16th of January, 1984. The song peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart, being relevant in the band’s early success. The… Read More [Verse 1]All men have secrets and here is mineSo let it be knownFor we have been through hell and high tideI think I can rely on youAnd yet you start to recoilHeavy words are so lightly thrownBut still I'd leap in frontOf a flying bullet for you[Chorus]So, what difference does it make?So, what difference does it make?It makes none, but now you have goneAnd you must be looking very old tonight[Verse 2]The devil will find workFor idle hands to doI stole and I lied, and why?Because you asked me toBut now you make me feel so ashamedBecause I've only got two handsBut I'm still fond of youOh-oh-ohYou might also like[Chorus]So, what difference does it make?Oh, what difference does it make?Oh, it makes none, but now you have goneAnd your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight[Verse 3]Oh, the devil will find workFor idle hands to doI stole, and then I liedJust because you asked me toBut now you know the truth about meYou won't see me anymoreWell, I'm still fond of youOh-oh-oh[Chorus]But no more apologiesNo more, no more apologiesOh, I'm too tired, I'm so sick and tiredAnd I'm feeling very sick and ill today[Outro]But I'm still fond of youOh-oh-ohOh, my sacred oneOh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ohOh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ohOh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ohOh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ohOh-oh14EmbedCancel

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AboutSong Bio1 contributor

“What Difference Does It Make?” is the Smiths' third single in the UK, released on the 16th of January, 1984. The song peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart, being relevant in the band’s early success. The song would then make it onto the band’s self titled debut album, as the 9th track.

The song is about dismissal from a friend after they find out a secret about you. Although not confirmed, fans like to speculate that the song is based on a true story about Morrissey confessing his feelings to another man, only to be subsequently rejected.

“What Difference Does It Make?” is not one of Morrissey’s favorites among the Smiths' catalogue, unfortunately, voicing his opinion to Following the Mozziah, explaining that “‘What Difference Does It Make’ is musically interesting but lyrically it is very…Simon Le Bon [of Duran Duran]. I find the lyrics facile and mildly embarrassing. Otherwise it’s a majestic pop melody by Johnny and, ironically, had the lyrics indeed been penned by Simon Le Bon, I would probably cover it! As it is I’d feel too ashamed.‘”.

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Ask a questionWho produced “What Difference Does It Make?” by The Smiths?When did The Smiths release “What Difference Does It Make?”?Who wrote “What Difference Does It Make?” by The Smiths?Complete (2011)The Smiths

1. 1. Reel Around the Fountain
2. 2. You’ve Got Everything Now
3. 3. Miserable Lie
4. 4. Pretty Girls Make Graves
5. 5. The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
6. 6. This Charming Man
7. 7. Still Ill
8. 8. Hand in Glove
9. 9. What Difference Does It Make?
10. 10. I Don’t Owe You Anything
11. 11. Suffer Little Children
12. 12. The Headmaster Ritual
13. 13. Rusholme Ruffians
14. 14. I Want the One I Can’t Have
15. 15. What She Said
16. 16. That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore
17. 17. Nowhere Fast
18. 18. Well I Wonder
19. 19. Barbarism Begins at Home
20. 20. Meat Is Murder
21. 21. The Queen is Dead
22. 22. Frankly, Mr. Shankly
23. 23. I Know It’s Over
24. 24. Never Had No One Ever
25. 25. Cemetry Gates
26. 26. Bigmouth Strikes Again
27. 27. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side
28. 28. Vicar in a Tutu
29. 29. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
30. 30. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
31. 31. A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours
32. 32. I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish
33. 33. Death of a Disco Dancer
34. 34. Girlfriend in a Coma
35. 35. Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before
36. 36. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
37. 37. Unhappy Birthday
38. 38. Paint a Vulgar Picture
39. 39. Death at One’s Elbow
40. 40. I Won’t Share You
41. 41. The Queen Is Dead (Live in London, 1986)
42. 42. Panic (Live in London, 1986)
43. 43. Vicar in a Tutu (Live in London, 1986)
44. 44. Ask (Live in London, 1986)
45. 45. His Latest Flame / Rusholme Ruffians (Live in London, 1986) [Medley]
46. 46. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side (Live in London, 1986)
47. 47. Rubber Ring / What She Said (Live in London, 1986) [Medley]
48. 48. Is It Really So Strange? (Live in London, 1986)
49. 49. Cemetry Gates (Live in London, 1986)
50. 50. London (Live in London, 1986)
51. 51. I Know It’s Over (Live in London, 1986)
52. 52. The Draize Train (Live in London, 1986)
53. 53. Still Ill (Live in London, 1986)
54. 54. Bigmouth Strikes Again (Live in London, 1986)
55. 55. William, It Was Really Nothing
56. 56. What Difference Does It Make? (John Peel Session 18/05/83)
57. 57. These Things Take Time (David Jensen Session 26/06/83)
58. 58. This Charming Man (John Peel Session 14/09/83)
59. 59. How Soon Is Now?
60. 60. Handsome Devil (John Peel Session 18/05/83)
61. 61. Hand in Glove (Single A-Side Mix)
62. 62. Still Ill (John Peel Session 14/09/83)
63. 63. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
64. 64. This Night Has Opened My Eyes
65. 65. You’ve Got Everything Now (David Jensen Session 26/06/83)
66. 66. Accept Yourself (David Jensen Session 25/08/83)
67. 67. Girl Afraid
68. 68. Back to the Old House (John Peel Session 9/14/83)
69. 69. Reel Around The Fountain (John Peel Session 18/05/83)
70. 70. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
71. 71. Panic
72. 72. Ask
73. 73. London
74. 75. Shakespeare’s Sister
75. 77. Shoplifters of the World Unite
76. 79. Money Changes Everything
77. 80. Asleep
78. 81. Unloveable
79. 82. Half a Person
80. 83. Stretch out and Wait (Alternate Vocal Version)
81. 85. Oscillate Wildly
82. 86. You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby
83. 87. Rubber Ring
84. 88. Golden Lights
85. 89. Is It Really So Strange?
86. 90. Sheila Take a Bow
87. 92. Sweet and Tender Hooligan
88. 104. These Things Take Time
89. 106. Back to the Old House
90. 108. Stretch out and Wait
91. 114. Handsome Devil (Live in Manchester)
92. 115. Reel Around The Fountain (Troy Tate Version)
93. 116. Jeane
94. 125. How Soon Is Now? (Single Edit)
95. 129. Barbarism Begins at Home (Single Edit)
96. 134. Meat Is Murder (Live in Oxford)
97. 148. Work Is a Four-Letter Word
98. 150. Pretty Girls Make Graves (Troy Tate Version)
99. 152. Rusholme Ruffians (Peel session, August 1984)
100. 154. I Keep Mine Hidden
101. 158. The Draize Train

The Smiths (1984)The SmithsBest… I (1992)The SmithsNOW That’s What I Call Music II [UK] (1984)NOW That’s What I Call Music!NOW Yearbook 1980-1984: The Final Chapter [UK] (2022)NOW That’s What I Call Music!What Difference Does It Make? (1984)The SmithsSingles (1995)The SmithsThe Very Best Of The Smiths (2001)The SmithsSingles Box (CD Edition) (2009)The SmithsThe Smiths (Japan) (1984)The SmithsSingles Box (7" Edition) (2008)The SmithsExpand CreditsReleased onJanuary 16, 1984ProducerJohn PorterWritersMorrissey & Johnny MarrLacquer Cut EngineerTim Young & John DentDistributorThe Cartel (Record Distribution Organization)ComposerJohnny MarrVocalsMorrisseyGuitarJohnny MarrBassAndy RourkeDrumsMike JoyceRecorded AtPluto Studios, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, United KingdomWhat Difference Does It Make? CoversWhat Difference Does it Make by Ebony Bones (Ft. New London Children's Choir), What Difference Does It Make? by The Mr. T Experience, What Difference Does It Make? by Sense Field & What Difference Does It Make? by Face To FaceWhat Difference Does It Make? RemixesWhat Difference Does it Make? (Single Edit) by The SmithsWhat Difference Does It Make? Live PerformancesWhat Difference Does It Make? (John Peel Session 18/05/83) by The SmithsWhat Difference Does It Make? TranslationsThe Smiths - What Difference Does It Make? (Traduzione Italiana) by Genius Traduzioni ItalianeView What Difference Does It Make? samplesTagsRockEnglandIn EnglishJangle PopAlternativeIndie RockPost-PunkIndie PopIndependentUK RockUKExpand CommentsAdd a commentSign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.Sign Up