Post-Punk.com
  • Home
    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Terms Of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • Bands
    • Revival Bands
    • Labels
  • Reviews
  • Fashion
  • Log In
  • Home
  • Bands
  • Reviews
  • Fashion
  • Log In
0 Likes
0 Followers
0 Followers
Subscribe
Post-Punk.com
Post-Punk.com Post-Punk.com
  • Home
    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Terms Of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • Bands
    • Revival Bands
    • Labels
  • Reviews
  • Fashion
  • Log In
  • Classic Albums
  • Classic Bands

The Smiths’ 1984 Self Titled Debut Album

  • February 19, 2019
  • post-punk.com
0
0
1
Image

On February 20th, 1984, The Smiths released their self titled debut LP on Rough Trade Records, an event integral to the history of indie music, as noted by Factory Records head Tony Wilson.

The album’s iconic sleeve features American actor Joe Dallesandro from Andy Warhol’s 1968 film Flesh.

Previously in May of 1983, The Smiths released their debut single “Hand In Glove”. The song was written in January of that 1983 between the first and third concert the band ever performed.

It is said that after receiving a demo tape from his song writing partner Johnny Marr, Morrissey quickly wrote the lyrics within the span of two hours, leading to the track being recorded in February at Strawberry Studios in Stockport, the same studio where Joy Division recorded “Love Will Tear Us Apart” three years earlier.

Though never acknowledged by Morrissey of Johnny Marr, the song’s lyrics arguably described a gay relationship in which it is commented on how people would react seeing the pair together in public. This an obvious reference to Morrissey’s thinly veiled sexuality.

“Hand In Glove” was later remixed as an album track for The Smiths 1984 self titled debut, and covered by 1960s era singer Sandie Shaw with The Smiths as her backing band that same year.

The only single truly released in promotion of The Smiths debut album was “What Difference Does it Make?”, which featured a sleeve with Terrance Stamp taken on the set of the film The Collector. Ironically, Stamp initially objected to his image being used on the cover, so the alternate version of the single with Morrissey (holding a glass of milk pre-veganism) is a collector’s item indeed.

The song title “What Difference Does it Make?” is inspired by a line from Ray Smith in the Jack Kerouac novel The Dharma Bums. The album track “Pretty Girls Make Graves” is also another example of Ray Smith’s dialog informing Morrissey’s songwriting.

In the interim between the release of “Hand In Glove”, and “What Difference Does it Make?” was the hit non-album single, “This Charming Man”. This song was another one of Morrissey’s compositions featuring lyrics alluded to homosexuality, which also culls dialogue borrowed from a cult film. Specifically the line “A jumped-up pantry boy who never knew his place” is taken from the 1972 film adaptation of Anthony Shaffer’s 1970 homoerotic play Sleuth.

“This Charming Man” was included as the sixth track on all original US releases of the album on Sire Records.

Some of the tracks on the album were subject to controversy in the music press such as “Reel Around the Fountain” and “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” which some claimed condoned child abuse and pedophilia.

The former song, “Reel Around the Fountain”, is considered by some to be about a sex act nevertheless, which the “Reel” is the question if you consider it to be a noun.

The album-closing track “Suffer Little Children” created further controversy by its retelling of the Moors Murders, a series of child killings and sexual assaults committed by Ian Brady and his girlfriend Myra Hindley in the greater Manchester area during the early ’60s.

Morrissey in the song’s lyrics included the names on real victims of the murders, which prompted some retailers to refuse to sell the album upon its release.

Please support Post-Punk.com! You can do so via:

  • Patreon:

  • or directly via Paypal:

  • Or by using our new Contact form here:

 

Total
1
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 1
Related Topics
  • Johnny Marr
  • Morrissey
  • The Smiths
post-punk.com

From the Editor at Post-Punk.com

Previous Article
  • Video Premiere

Indie Pop Darlings Desperate Journalist Premiere Their Video for “Satellite” off of Third Album “In Search of the Miraculous”

  • February 19, 2019
  • post-punk.com
View Post
Next Article
  • Video Premiere

Watch Isotropia’s Video for “Auto-da-fé Of The God”

  • February 19, 2019
  • post-punk.com
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Bands
  • Classic Bands
  • Concerts
  • Electronic Music
  • Festivals
  • Industrial

Cold Waves Festival NYC Highlights — Plus Festival Continues This Weekend in Chicago

  • Alice Teeple
  • September 23, 2023
View Post
  • Album Streaming
  • Bands
  • Classic Bands
  • Clubs
  • New Releases
  • Reviews

Bush Tetras “Sley” At Le Poisson Rouge Record Release Show

  • Alice Teeple
  • September 22, 2023
View Post
  • Bands
  • Classic Bands
  • Video Premiere

A Wanderer in Disguise — Depeche Mode Debut Video for “My Favourite Stranger”

  • Alice Teeple
  • September 21, 2023
View Post
  • Bands
  • Classic Bands
  • Collaborations
  • Video Premiere

Lol Tolhurst, Budgie, and Jacknife Lee Debut Haunting Video for “Ghosted At Home” Featuring Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream

  • Alice Teeple
  • September 13, 2023
View Post
  • Bands
  • Classic Bands
  • News
  • Reissues
  • Remix

New Order to Reissue “Substance” on Vinyl, Cassette, and 4-CD Expanded Edition

  • Alice Teeple
  • September 13, 2023
View Post
  • Bands
  • Classic Bands
  • Classic Bands
  • Song Premiere
  • Video Premiere

It’s Taken a Lifetime — British Post-Punk Stalwarts Modern English Debut New Single “Long In The Tooth”

  • Alice Teeple
  • September 12, 2023
View Post
  • Classic Bands
  • Interview
  • New Releases
  • Video Premiere

Realm of Minor Angels | An Interview with Steve Kilbey of The Church + Video Premiere

  • Frank Deserto
  • September 12, 2023
View Post
  • Album Streaming
  • Bands
  • Classic Bands
  • News
  • Streaming
  • Tour Dates

Detroit’s Electric Six Release New Album “Turquoise” — Tour in US and Europe to Begin This Autumn

  • Alice Teeple
  • September 8, 2023







Post-Punk.com
© Copyright POST-PUNK.COM 2022

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Please support Post-Punk.com! You can do so via...
  • Patreon:
  • Directly via Paypal:
  • Or by using our new Contact form here:
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT