In the opening line of their first single (Hand In Glove) The Smiths claimed that "the sun shone out of their behinds." On their second single, This Charming Man', they proved that it did. Here was the dawning of a massive cult, a band that would, before they had finished, make floppy fringes, vegetarianism, illiteracy and republicanism de rigour items for any self respecting indie rock fan.
'This Charming Man' is simultaneously brilliant and typical of their early output. it's all there; Johnny Marr's familiar yet-not-quite guitar classicism, Morrissey's introverted, knowing lyrics and loping, slightly folkish vocals. The individual components aren't that remarkable, yet mixed together and linked with whatever alchemy that flowed between guitarist and singer, they mesh into a thing of resonant beauty. Crucially too, The Smiths at this point made everything - the music, the look, the media, all of it - seem absolutely effortless. They made it OK for music to mean something again, to be important. (abridged from Vox)..
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