Among The Smiths’ many memorable tracks, Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others stands out for its unusual combination of witty lyricism and lush musical arrangement. Featured as the closing track on their critically acclaimed 1986 album The Queen Is Dead, the song embodies the band’s distinctive ability to blend humor with melancholy, irony with sincerity, and playful absurdity with genuine artistry.
Musically, the song is driven by Johnny Marr’s shimmering guitar work, which gives the track a bright, almost ethereal quality. Marr uses chiming, layered melodies that create a dreamlike atmosphere, contrasting sharply with Morrissey’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics. The instrumental introduction and outro are particularly striking, as Marr allows the guitar to drift and expand, creating a sense of openness that softens the satirical edge of the words.
Lyrically, Morrissey delivers one of his more humorous and absurd performances. The central refrain, “Some girls are bigger than others,” appears to comment on physicality in a blunt, almost comedic way, but as with many of Morrissey’s lyrics, there is a deeper ambiguity. Some interpret the line as a playful jab at social superficiality or as a critique of trivial obsessions, while others see it simply as an absurdist joke delivered with deadpan seriousness. The song’s lighthearted tone contrasts with much of The Queen Is Dead, which is filled with social commentary, romantic longing, and existential angst.
Despite its quirky premise, the song is far from throwaway. Morrissey’s vocal delivery—wistful, detached, and almost tender—imbues the lyrics with unexpected weight. What could have been pure satire instead becomes strangely moving, a reminder of how The Smiths excelled at turning humor and irony into something layered and affecting.
Although Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others was never released as a single, it has grown into a cult favorite among fans. Its closing placement on The Queen Is Dead gives the album a curious yet fitting sense of closure, balancing the heavier and more socially charged themes with a final note of wit and musical grace. Live versions of the song were rare, adding to its mystique within the band’s discography.
Over time, the track has come to symbolize The Smiths’ unique balance of artistry: Johnny Marr’s innovative guitar playing, Morrissey’s distinctive lyrical voice, and the band’s ability to mix satire with sincerity. It may not have the immediate punch of hits like There Is a Light That Never Goes Out or How Soon Is Now?, but its offbeat charm and beautiful guitar textures have made it an enduring gem.
In the end, Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others is a perfect encapsulation of The Smiths’ appeal—quirky, intelligent, musically rich, and tinged with irony. It proves that even in jest, the band could create music that was profound, memorable, and deeply characteristic of their singular place in 1980s alternative rock.
