Classic Bands

The Smiths | Hand In Glove

On May 13th, 1983, The Smiths released their debut single “Hand In Glove”. The song was written in January of that year 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.

The song’s lyrics describes 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, in which “Hand In Glove” is the first of many songs written by the Mancunian singer about being a gay man, for example: “Lucky Lisp”, “Piccadilly Palare”, “Hairdresser on Fire”, etc.

As further evidence of the track being a gay love song, is the controversial sleeve featuring a muscular man with the exposed buttocks of model George O’Mara by photographer Jim French.

!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.

post-punk.com

From the Editor at Post-Punk.com

Recent Posts

London-based Post-Punk Outfit Scattered Ashes Mourn Love’s Loss in Their Video for “Kingdom”

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, is this the makings of heaven, a moment of…

14 mins ago

Listen to the Sweet Melancholy of In Atlas’ “Where the Wildflowers Grow”

Hailing from Copenhagen, In Atlas' second album, Where the Wildflowers Grow is a synthesized landscape of…

8 hours ago

Michigan Alt-Rock Artist Brother Wolf Wanders the Woods in the Video for “Wait”

Who are you on the other side Are you kinder Are you patient Are you…

3 days ago

Los Angeles Dark Electro Project Frontal Boundary Debuts New Single “Shutting Down”

In a world where social media drives constant comparison, the relentless pursuit of an elusive…

3 days ago

Berlin’s XTR Human Smashes the Status Quo in the Video for his Hard Hitting EBM Track “Neid”

In an era where rapid technological advances and shifting social dynamics often render traditional systems…

3 days ago

Trit95 Announces Self-Titled Compilation LP of Songs from 2017 to 2021 + Interview

The Santee, California artist, Trit95, doesn't need the bells and whistles. With an entire catalog…

3 days ago