Released 43 years ago this October
This Charming Man
The Smiths · 1983
23 min · 7 tracks · indie rock
Bright jangly guitars and introspective lyrics capture the essence of youth and longing in a vibrant, melodic soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Charming Man (original single version) — As the flagship track, this version perfectly encapsulates Morrissey's lyrical wit paired with Johnny Marr's infectious guitar riff, launching The Smiths into prominence.
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This Charming Man (London) — This rendition showcases the band's ability to reinterpret their own work, offering a slightly different arrangement that highlights the song’s melodic intricacies.
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This Charming Man (New York vocal) — With an extended format, this version allows for deeper exploration of the song's themes and further emphasizes Morrissey's distinctive vocal delivery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The single presents varied interpretations of a defining track, highlighting its melodic strength but lacking cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The original version is characterized by bright jangly guitars and a driving rhythm that maintains a consistent tempo throughout.
- The Peel session version includes a more raw, live sound with slight variations in instrumentation compared to the studio recording.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of youthful energy
- headphone detail hunting for nuances
- romantic misadventures in vibrant tones
- front-loaded excitement and charm
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, expansive albums
- seek slow, contemplative experiences
Where this album fits
- Themes
- Manchester charm· bright guitar melodies
- Career context
- Released on Halloween 1983, 'This Charming Man' was The Smiths' debut single, marking their first significant entry into the music scene. At this point, the band was still establishing its identity following their formation in 1982, gaining attention for their innovative blend of jangle pop and post-punk influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Cure· Joy Division· Echo & the Bunnymen
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 This Charming Man (Manchester) 2:42
- 2 This Charming Man (London) 2:47
- 3 This Charming Man (New York vocal) 5:35
- 4 This Charming Man (New York instrumental) 4:19
- 5 This Charming Man (Peel session) 2:44
- 6 This Charming Man (single remix) 2:46
- 7 This Charming Man (original single version) 2:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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