According to an article in the Record Mirror dated April 7, 1979, “So What” was originally going to be titled “Cheap Sex”. Other lyrics had been written for it, but when Robert Smith was tiring of recording one day, he “strutted into the studio, clutching a sugar bag in one hand, and proceeded to ve...
[Verse 1]
Yeah, cake icing and a... decorating set
Special offer, only three-pound, thirty
Save one-pound, fifty-two on recommended retail price
Give your cakes and pies a professional look
With this superb decorating set
I'm not meant to be here, but so what?
And nobody's, nobody's taken your place
Nobody's taken your place
[Verse 2]
Each set includes a turntable, a nine inch icing bag
With six high definition nozzles and adapter
And a fifteen-inch food decorating bag
With three piping nozzles
Please send off this leaflet, post it today
And if you knew nothing could replace you
If you were sane, your heart wouldn't ache
But so what?
So what? So what?
[Verse 3]
Order now, allow twenty one days for delivery
Offer closes 31st of December, 1979
Oh, British Sugar Bureau
When I told you what I, and I
And I wouldn't ask you to pretend that we were one
And still another time
Forget all the lies, forgive me the wounds
And all the world was used to love
And yes, we'd still be happy in another time
But so what?
So what?
[Outro]
So please send me icing and decorating sets
I enclose a cheque and postal order number
So what?
So what?
So What was written by Lol Tolhurst & Michael Dempsey & Robert Smith.
So What was produced by Chris Parry.
When asked what his inspiration behind this song was, he responded:
me drunk!!!
He reportedly shared once:
I like the music but not the lyrics. Funny – it seemed a good idea (to read from a sugar packet) at the time.