11 is the third full-length album by The Smithereens, released on October 18, 1989. The cut is “William Wilson,” written by Pat DiNizio. Looking into who or what this song is about, I found at joeclark.org a quote from DiNizio:

Pat: “William Wilson” started out as “Brian Wilson.” It was lyrically meant to be about a self-destructive person, and then I saw something on television, a news story, about a son and a father who were reunited after not having seen each other for 20 or 30 years, and then there was an Edgar Allan Poe story called “William Wilson” which, ironically, was also about someone who was self-destructive. So we combined all that lyrically. Then I found out that the guy who founded A.A. was named William Wilson.

I looked up the Poe story, where it cites analysis by scholars: “William Wilson” clearly explores the theme of the double. This second self haunts the protagonist and leads him to insanity and also represents his own insanity. According to Poe biographer, Arthur Hobson Quinn, the second self represents the conscience. This division of the self is reinforced by the narrator’s admission that “William Wilson” is actually a pseudonym. The name itself is an interesting choice: “son” of “will”. In other words, William Wilson has willed himself into being along with the double which shares that name.

I take my time and I like to move slow
Why should I worry when there’s nowhere to go?
I like things simple and my friends are alright
I tell no stories and I sleep good at night

Things were different just before I met you
Now I worry wonderin’ what to do
I was happy never playin’ your game
Now you tell me that your name is William Wilson

I run up the staircase and there’s nobody there
I play my records and then I haven’t a care
My ears to the speaker and the heartache’s forgot
Sometimes I’d forget you, other times I could not

I’d lie crying on the top of my bed
I was wonderin’ ’bout the life you led
I would cry for you and call out your name
Now you say no one’s to blame but William Wilson
William Wilson, William Wilson
William Wilson, let him run wild

I want to talk to him
I want to talk to him
Where is he now?
Where is he now?
I wanna be like him
I want to see him grin
Where is he now?
Where is he now?

I’d lie crying on the top of my bed
I was wonderin’ ’bout the life you led
Now I understand we’re both just the same
Now I tell you that my name is William Wilson
William Wilson, let him run wild
Let him run wild

Songwriters: Pat Dinizio