First Listen - "The Charming Man" by The Smiths 

As someone who really pays attention to the lyrics you are going to love the smiths

"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" is one of the best pop song ever written, you should listen to it next.

My vote for a reaction would be "How Soon Is Now?" with Johnny Marr's stupendous guitar in perfect tandem with the bass of the now sadly departed Andy Rourke - the cool rumbling riff widely heard as a ringtone. It's my most treasured 12" vinyl record.

Cannot overstate my love for The Smiths. RIP Andy Rourke ❤

Andy Rourke, Smiths bassist, died yesterday. A very timely reaction. Recommend you hit 'Reel around the fountain' and 'There is a light that never goes out'. RIP Andy.

Panic, how soon is now, bigmouth strikes again, there is a light that never goes out. Are the songs I’d love you to hear from them

The Smiths "Cemetry Gates" & Morrissey "Everyday Is Like Sunday"

Great reaction! The Smiths were such an amazing and groundbreaking band. I’ll never forget when our band decided to cover this song (in the late 1980s). My brother, who is and was an accomplished guitar player, came into rehearsal and started playing the guitar part and said, “look at this, I’m all over the neck!” Although we had all listened to this song many times, we never realized how difficult the guitar part was. He said it took him much longer to learn than he was expecting.

Syed - Spot on with the qualities that Morrisey and Johnny Marr bring to their songwriting. They each had their own place and really you have said it.... they are both unique in what they do.... Morrisey with the words and the melody and Johnny with writing and aranging the music. Morrisey used to post his lyrics through Johnny's letter box. So the music was written without discussing with the lyric writer what was going to be done, Just like another phenomenal writing partnership.... Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Thanks for the reaction and I think it's great that you appreciate them. Keep on Rocking.

My favourite smiths song is ' I know it's over " that gets me every time. I think their most critically acclaimed song would be ' There is a light that never goes out " . Thanks for the reaction .

So evocative of the 80s it makes me cry.

"Still ill" is their best song imo.

Long live Morrissey! Thanks for doing this one.

Andy Rourke created that fantastic, Motownish bass line when he was 19 years old

Great video man (been following since the doors reactions) would love to see more reactions to the smiths the dynamics between marr and morrissey just can’t be beaten. Really recommend ‘how soon is now’ another classic by them anyways have a great day dude

Rest in peace Andy Rourke. Great band

There Is a Light that Never Goes Out by The Smiths I’d recommend next

Wow The Smiths one of my favorite bands of all time including Morrissey solo love you

Morrissey's recent public support for far-right groups such as For Britain put me off listening to his stuff for a while, but his talent and in particular the legacy of The Smiths is undeniable. What a voice the man has. I remember seeing him live at Roskilde Festival in 2006, and it was probably the best live vocal performance I've ever seen. Note-perfect. I might have to revisit the Smiths after this video reminded me how brilliant they were (not sure I'm quite ready to dig out Morrissey's solo stuff yet even though there is some really great material).

Morrissey's writing appeals to the outsiders of society, the music is like a romantic mix of 60's pop and 70's punk with a sweeping picking style that has aspects of African Soukous music, the often upbeat music at odds to the subject matter. Marr's guitar, and the bass guitar work of the recently deceased Andy Rouke, had to do a lot of work filling out the sound with those flowing runs. Although, even without the studio addition of overdubs, or of other musicians, it still sounded fantastic live. Morrisey's camp, often world weary lyrics, and droll Northern delivery gave his critics plenty of ammunition, but they missed the wit and sardonic elements. He is clearly smart, very self aware, sometimes confrontational, opinionated, controversial and sees himself in a lineage of top English poets and intellectuals. Paired with the much more down to earth Marr, they are one of the most unlikely writing partnerships in pop.

Great observations. As you say, never cheesy or cliche' for sure with Morrissey's lyrics. Expert level sarcasm and sometimes cynicism were his/their calling card. He's made some political statements of late that have turned a lot of fans off to him personally lately, including myself; but will never detract me from going back to their stellar catalogue. What Difference Does it Make, The Headmaster Ritual, Stop Me if You've Heard This One Before are three of their best, with some killer Johnny Marr riffs and always clever lyrics. RIP Andy Rourke 🙏

According to Morrissey -Johnny Marr would compose music and hand the cassette of song off to Morrissey who would then disappear for some time and compose lyrics for the music. This is according to Morrissey in an interview which is on RU-vid.

‘Why pamper lives complexity when the leather runs smooth on the passenger seat’, isn’t a lyric, it’s a life philosophy!

What Difference Does It Make? should be your next Smith's song. Just like with the Beatles, it makes sense to go in order. Start with the early stuff (which is the best IMO, but their last album is one of my favs as well). The Hatfull of Hollow album is 100% fire, every track, has almost all of what's on the Smiths' debut album and more, and sounds better than the debut even though live Peel sessions. Deep track recommendation : This Night Has Opened My Eyes.

I’ve listened to the smiths for most of my life cause my parents listened to them but this is the first time I’ve realized how unexpected every line morrrisey sings is. They’ve got great jams

When The Smiths appeared on TOTP (top of the pops) back in the 1980’s instantly adored them. My older sister saw them (and many other groups of the time) but she never took me with her 😢

The Smiths. The greatest British band, Morrisset's lyrics, Marr's gutiar and musicality and Joyce's bass playing. Morrissey as a solo artist just as great.

I believe the older gentleman is advising to “return the ring” that the young man bought for his girlfriend, possibly an engagement ring.

Im actually shocked that nobody has suggested Bigmouth Strikes Again. Definitely my favourite Smiths song and i think youll appreciate the witty lyrics, seeing as you enjoyed Bob Dylan's wit!

I loved your reaction

Yeah, the smiths are amazing, you should totally check out more of their songs, maybe some classics like "there is a light that never goes out" but all of their albums and songs are amazing and I just love Morrissey's sense of humor. Love your reactions because you actually have something interesting to say!

'How Soon Is Now' was my introduction to the Smiths in the mid-80s. It's, imo, a masterwork, riveting, driving, eerie and seductive, lyrical ambiguity using homophony brilliantly. For years I thought he was singing, "I am the sun and the air," 😮😂 rather than, "I am the son and the heir." 😅😊 The tremoloed guitar adds to the inescapable propulsive forward movement.

Morrissey definitely has a love it or hate voice, and if you hate it then The Smiths are hard work. Personally I’m a fan and glad you liked his voice too because boy do they have some cracking tunes

More The Smiths please❤

RIP Andy Rourke

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET ME GET WHAT I WANT

"Return the ring" I take as "break off your engagement; you're not meant for that." The ring is an engagement ring or something along those lines.

the smiths are an amazing band 👌👌👍👍

Check out There is a light that never goes out.

Please try The Housemartins with The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death, or Build. Thank you!

They had a wonderful writing partnership. Marr would send the sketch of the song to Morrissey who would write the lyrics. The band would then record the backing track and Morrissey would come into the studio The tale of them doing this for songs like I know it's over and how soon is now is properly exilhilerating, with the band having no idea where he was going with the lyrics, and them being completely spun out.

Great song, great band. It’s called THIS Charming Man, by the way.

Kaboom when they came on the scene. I wasn't impressed until I got a live cassette tape at the time (same set as Derby Assembly Rooms, 1983/4) return the ring = don't get married

Rip Andy Rourke

Johnny Marr, arguably the best of his generation. I would place second to him in that generation of HONEYMAN SCOTT, with the original band the PRETENDERS, who you have no reviewed (please review the debut album = considered one of the greatest debut albums of all time) Ironically, Johnny Marr joined the PRETERNDERS ever so briefly - to do the BURT BACHARACH remake "windows of the world" - a shame they did not stick together. Another side note - for the 90's another BRIT BAND that was amazing was SUEDE who also had one of the greatest guitar players of his generation.

I wouldn't say Moz was forward thinking, if anything he'd read too many old dead guys. You could definitely say he writes *sideways*, meaning he's writing for people, right now, who otherwise don't really feel represented by anyone else.

I suspect it's about a guy who was going to get married to a woman, but met this guy who he realizes he has something for and who tells him to return the wedding ring,

Your heard Big Country?

Or there are people like me , who don't have much of an opinion at all.😁 My youngest sister was obsessed with them. We're 54 and 48. One observation is that their song 'I know It's over was very capably covered by Jeff Buckley, who had a better voice than Morrissey.

Return the ring.....I think the younger guy has bought a ring for a girlfriend, and the older man is telling him to return it...perhaps because he realizes that the younger guy is attracted to him, and men, generally.

Got to your age and never heard The Smiths 😮😮😮

Morrissey has done the best job of giving the middle finger to the Establishment. That he confuses and infuriates the ideologues, is magnificent. They demanded his allegiance to the Church of Progressivism, and he said "no thanks". I love that they hate him 🤟

Morrissey and Marr

Morrisey

There is no single bad or mediocre song in any Smiths album... not even one

William it was really nothing

Never was misery so joyful, that's why I loved them. Please listen to There is a light that never goes on.

Morrisey

The Smiths were both The Beatles & The Velvet Underground of the 1980s. Jump straight into the albums. They'll change your life - and maybe even save your life.

Syed, if you like Jangly guitars, angelic and unique vocals, bouncy melodic basslines and really clever, sometimes funny, most often sad lyrics, you'll love the Smiths. Great Band. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now is essential I also highly reccomend This Night Has Opened My Eyes too.

“A jumped up pantry boy who never knew his place…” etc is a quote taken from the excellent 1972 film Sleuth. It has older and younger heterosexual love rivals trying to outdo each other. Worth a watch, if you can find it. Michael Caine & Lawrence Olivier star.

Only Morrissey could write a lyric like "I would go out tonight but I haven't got a stitch to wear" and sound cool. GREAT guitar by Johnny. My favourite Smiths song.

Yessss! The Smiths are such a unique band, would love to see you do more of them! Also RIP Andy Rourke, his bass on Smiths songs always stood out to me more than any other element when I first started listening to them (apart from Morrisey obviously lol).

RIP Andy, the most underrated bassist ever! Syed I’m surprised you didn’t comment on his bassline 💫

So glad to see you get to these guys. Morrissey is hands down one of the most poetic, funny, clever lyricists of all time. Hope you continue with them, I think you will really enjoy the writing. "I Know It's Over" "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" "How Soon is Now?" "Frankly Mr. Shankly" "Bigmouth Strikes Again" so many great places to go next.

There. Is. A. Light. That. Never. Goes. Out.

You nailed this one. Great video. It's open for interpretation of course but I always took 'return the ring' to mean that perhaps the younger man was in a relationship with a woman, but unsure about it due to him questioning his own sexuality, and the older man advising him to get out of the relationship before he was committed (engaged/married) This was the first Smiths' song I heard. I remember exactly where I was, the time of day, and the day of the week. The guitar intro played and I don't think I could quite comprehend what I was hearing. Then Morrisey's voice joined in and my life was changed. It will be worth your time to delve into their back catalogue. They were only around for half a decade, but wrote so many great songs and made such an impact of british rock music.

As someone who has listened to the group since its inception, I am mesmerized by this new generation coming into contact with their music. There is a fear of rejection in the air. Some bands are almost unknown and underrated, they didn't sell so many thousands of records, but the right people got to know them in the past and new generations start to get to know them now.

We need more smiths now...react to all of them

If you liked that one, you have some awe-inspiring discoveries ahead of you. Here are a few: «How soon is now?», «There is a light that never goes out», «The Queen is dead», «Bigmouth strikes again», «The boy with the thorn in his side», «Panic»... There are two main musical partnerships split, in my musiclover's life, that I find especially sad. Two symbiotic synergistic writing teams with magical chemistry that were just so much greater together than separate and that let egos get in the way: Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and Doug Gilmour and The Smiths' Johnny Marr and the poet of the desperate, Morrissey...

I Know it’s Over- best song ever!

Just a young man who inexperienced in worldly matters.......meet a man who is older and experienced in worldly matters.

This is Johnny lettin' it go with The The live. Love the work he did with Matt and with Electronic. The song is "I've Been Waitin' For Tomorrow (all of my life)" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-azlvhBEl6h0.html

I think you'll have a TON of reactions in store if you like this - Morrissey wrote the best lyrics of any 80s band and I think you'll love them. And Johnny Marr's guitar parts are wonderful. They were extremely influential and are one of those bands that didn't record a bad track - their five studio albums are pretty much perfect. It's therefore gutting as a Smiths fan to hear Morrissey in recent years come out in support of far right groups in Britain. Perhaps he was trying to controversial?

Andy Rourke RIP. Thank you dear sir for those killer bass lines.

In the 80s, there was so much variety in what was going on musically at any point in the decade. Bands like the Smiths, doing their own thing against the backdrop of new wave and 'post punk,' were one of my favorite parts of the 80s music scene. The Smiths "The Queen is Dead" album is really their creative peak.

On the debut album and early singles, there's quite a few lines in the lyrics that were taken cut and paste from British 50s kitchen sink films Moz liked such as the I haven't got a stitch to wear which comes from A Taste Of Honey.

A punk drummer, and funk bassist, a virtuoso guitarist and a poet lyricist. Amazing band. Btw I think the conclusion is in that joke isn't funny anymore, which is also a roadside tryst

Excellent selection. They have a lot of great songs.

the ambiguity of the character's sexuality could be the name for the entire library of The Smiths.

I think the younger guy is a hustler and the older rich guy’s “pantry boy” caught the younger guy stealing a ring

RIP Andy

I grew up in the 80s and only discovered the smiths in 2008ish. Better late than never.

One of the most amazing lyricists of all time. The lyrics to Headmasters Ritual and There is a light that never goes out literally brings me to tears.

The Smiths are excellent all day

Favorite band of all time!!!

Finally!

I love this band, very cool British music with that melancholic kind of voice.

The Smiths were experts at interpreting the *gay world of camp* filtered through teen angst. Back in the 80's ~ How Soon is Now? ~ was a great song to play before hitting the coke and the clubs. It was a fun time for sure. (If its not love~ 💣 then its the bombs that will bring us together...😉)

love your reactions, hope you continue with more smiths :)

The Smiths have always had a dedicated fan base. Unfortunately, I've accepted that they aren't my cup of tea. It's not for the lack of trying...they just don't resonate and I'm not quite sure what it is. Hoping everyone is having a lovely Sunday ✨

Probably the most musically complex song by the Smiths is The Headmaster Ritual. The lyrics are brutal (about school bullying) but there is so much going on musically that every time I put it on I end up listening to it 2 or 3 times. I still don't think I've ever heard anything like it.

I've always thought that "Will nature make a man of me yet" related to an unwanted pregnancy. The ring being refered to is an engagement ring. And the charming man is the "devil" tempting the narrator to just turn his back on all his responsibilities. To me, this is valid interpretation :D

"Panic" includes the classic lyric: Burn down the disco, hang the blessed DJ Because the music that they constantly play It says nothing to me about my life

Morrisy is a great writer,poet,socialy aware,super expressive and uses alot of cultural references..havent got a stitch to wear is from a charloote bronte story i think .hes incredible..great band and time

"This Charming Man" is the best song ever written. I do not know why the line "I haven't got a stitch to wear" is understood as the boy being poor. I rather think that it is a demand to the man: "Would you be my sugar daddy?"

Love The Smiths...you did a good job.

I think it's better to react to the song blindly first then research it afterward as knowing what it's about beforehand spoils any surprise in the lyrics.

It doesnt matter if you hear this in 1983, 1993 or 2023, it’s a life-changer and then some.