Smiths, The ‎– William, It Was Really Nothing

This song is thought to be about The Associates singer Billy MacKenzie. In the early 80s the pair had forged a fleeting friendship, which ended abruptly when MacKenzie allegedly thieved a Jane Stein novel and a favourite shirt from Morrissey's Manchester flat. Industry rumour had it that they were, briefly, lovers, and that "William It Was Really Nothing" was Morrissey's kiss-off to MacKenzie.

In the 90s MacKenzie wrote an affectionate song, "Steven, You're Still Really Something". It is considered to be his riposte. The lyric included a slightly sinister outing threat in; 'If I'm going down, I'll do you down with me', sweetened only by the coupling; 'And I loved the way you sent your poetry'.