How The Smiths scored their first bonafide hit with this queer anthem in 1983
Morrissey was a twentysomething indie artist turning the music industry on its head as the lead singer of seminal ’80s English group The Smiths.As the band garnered a dedicated following amid the new wave scene, the Smiths quickly made a name for themselves by incorporating veiled and not-so veiled references to homosexuality in their lyrics.Their second single, “This Charming Man”, released in October 1983 and written by Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, toyed with themes of queer attraction between a young man and an older gentleman.Subscribe to our newsletter for your front-row seat to all things entertainment with a sprinkle of everything else queer.The cover of the single also featured an image of gay French actor Jean Marais from the 1950 film Orphée.The song begins as the young bicyclist runs a flat and gets picked up by a more worldly “charming man” in a vehicle, rescuing him from having to walk all the way home.“Punctured bicycle/ On a hillside desolate/Will nature make a man of me yet?” Morrissey croons. “When in this charming car/ This charming man.”After an initial reluctance, the bicyclist accepts a ride in the older daddy’s luxury vehicle where “leather runs smooth on the passenger seat.”A proposition to hang out further is inferred, but the young man is hesitant to accept the more experienced fella’s advances.“I would go out tonight,” Morrissey sings, “but I haven’t got a stitch to wear.”While there has been some debate about the intentions of both men, Morrissey’s lyrics were partly inspired by the 1972 film adaptation of Anthony Shaffer’s homoerotic play Sleuth.
