The Smiths - This Charming Man (Live on Top of The Pops '83)

The Smiths - This Charming Man (Live on Top of The Pops '83)
This Charming Man performed live on Top of The Tops, broadcasted on 24th November 1983.
Stream The Smiths greatest hits here ▶ lnk.to/TheSmithsHits
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Lyrics:
Punctured bicycle
On a hillside desolate
Will Nature make a man of me yet?
When in this charming car
This charming man
Why pamper life's complexities
When the leather runs smooth on the passenger seat?
I would go out tonight
But I haven't got a stitch to wear
This man said "It's gruesome
That someone so handsome should care"
A jumped-up pantry boy
Who never knew his place
He said "return the rings"
He knows so much about these things
He knows so much about these things
I would go out tonight
But I haven't got a stitch to wear
This man said "It's gruesome
That someone so handsome should care"
This charming man
This charming man
A jumped-up pantry boy
Who never knew his place
He said "return the ring"
He knows so much about these things
He knows so much about these things
He knows so much about these things
Follow The Smiths online: / thesmithsofficial
Watch The Smiths' other official music videos ▶ • The Smiths: Official M...
#TheSmiths #ThisCharmingMan #TopofThePops

[@Harpdashian]

It’s weird how much they stick out in the mid 80s, they’re flamboyant but not in the same way a lot of 80s bands were, they seem quite modern

[@felipehamm6522]

I think it's Johnny Marr guitar playing that made them sound so modern.

[@rootsradic]

Probably because they’ve been endlessly imitated to this day.

[@richham439]

@n n Such an amazing tone signature of The Smiths:)

[@Severinate]

If you saw them walking down your local high street today, they wouldn't look odd.

[@johnboy2349]

Mozz was flamboyant, the rest were just regular dudes but Marr having that rockstar quality to him.

[@achair650]

*insert unoriginal corona joke* stop me if you've heard THIS one before

[@eggspress8043]

Maddy Russo that joke isn’t funny anymore..

[@lew306]

Well it appears as though we're all going nowhere fast.

[@lew306]

Best rush home to the old house, all we can do now is stretch out and wait.

[@theneer-do-wells9728]

Louie Morin a rush and a push?

[@lew306]

@@theneer-do-wells9728 Rusholme and a push

[@manuelc3423]

I would go out tonight, but I'm in quarantine

[@ttobiasg]

estamos igual

[@thenealdog5343]

It'd be in vain i'm sure :P much like my ventures, only accept this time my vain trips come with an added health risk eeee :I

[@ZeniferJenZ]

😉

[@manuelc3423]

@@ttobiasg sí :(

[@m.s.7756]

I pictured Morrissey saying this, subsequently imagined Morrissey in quarantine, and became a bit sad.

[@kevanbrown7620]

"Punctured bicycle, on a hillside desolate", what an opening line to a pop song, running alongside Johnny Marr's great guitar line. Go Morrissey with those flowers. In later appearances he had a tree branch.

[@ossi3529]

For a long time I thought it was ‘tortured bicycle’. Punctured makes much more sense.

[@shortspecimen]

LMAO when i was younger i thought it was hold your bicycle on a hillside yesterday but when i saw the lyrics xd

[@MultiSUPERLATIVO]

The vulnerability that is indeed the true power. No microphone in his hand. He is clearly saying it was a playback. Morrissey's presence on stage was so strange and different from the other pop singers of that era. Respect.

[@sethsosa3441]

I would go out tonight but I haven’t got a mask to wear 😔

[@izaiahreyes1044]

Seth Sosa 😂😂

[@lucaswallo8127]

nice

[@truebass44]

*Plays bassline*

[@edisone.7212]

😂😂😂👏👏👏...

[@justaguy1451]

I would go out tonight but I but I voted for the tyrannical Commies.

[@alightthatnevergoesout]

Morriseys voice just seems to glide over the instruments. Majestic.

[@georgeydlfc]

Why pamper life’s complexities when the leather runs smooth on the passenger seat. Genuinely one of the best lyricist of our time

[@tobybalmont9037]

gucci gang gucci gang gucci gang finish teh song next time

[@georgeydlfc]

@@tobybalmont9037 I believe history is a wheel...

[@Peter-ov6xh]

English is not my native language. What does this lyric mean?

[@georgeydlfc]

Why worry about understanding life when you have materialistic posession, it’s morrisey commenting ironically that our desires for knowledge and understanding ourselves is overshadowed by consumerism or luxury . That’s my take on it anyway after all art is subjective 👍🏼🙂

[@Justus-im3gb]

@@georgeydlfc i always this was about sex, why talk complex blablabla When we can just have simple joy. But i also think its meant ironic

[@kramerbassplayer]

Thats some good bass playing on this track

[@thomasdonnelly3263]

For me this is as about as perfect as pop music gets. It's under 3 minutes, it has an infectious guitar riff, a flawlessly groovy bass line, a simple but effective drum part, and the voice soars over with the most stylish and ambiguous lyrics. Genius. I put it up there with The Beatles greatest hits any day!

[@santidudok4196]

This ain't pop though

[@joshbaino3087]

@@santidudok4196 how?

[@santidudok4196]

@@joshbaino3087 alternative

[@joshbaino3087]

@@santidudok4196 I mean, "indie pop"

[@Cam_NBH]

I totally agree, great post

[@sandorrclegane2307]

How did shows back then have the audacity to just straight up play the studio recording. They didn't even try

[@ieatshampoo6323]

Yes but I believe Morrissey is singing

[@sandorrclegane2307]

@@ieatshampoo6323 oh he does, to a bouquet of flowers. The rest of the band is playing too, it doesn't matter though as their mics are turned off. The audio is the same as the studio version of TCM, it was clearly played over what the band was trying to do. To be clear, i'm not bashing on The Smiths here, i love them, it was probably the TV station that refused to let them play live and instead just used a pre-recorded version. Happened back then i guess

[@timithian]

Top of the Pops used studio recordings since they had performances after another and they wouldn’t be able to get the right audio settings for each performer so they decide to do studio recordings instead of a live performances

[@robbutterill1426]

thats top of the pops. literally everyone did it😂 its all prerecorded. oasis did a song and noel pretends to sing, while liam (the actual singer) played the guitar

[@hux2000]

@@ieatshampoo6323 He's not; he has no microphone. (And besides, you can tell just by listening that it's the vocal track from the single.)

[@chrisjames6327]

I'm an 88 year old Titanic survivor, and when I was in the lifeboat fighting for my life, it was this song that kept me going. Thank you Morrisons

[@awerawer0708]

what lol

[@victorrangel8283]

Bruh

[@user-bj4vw4vy5i]

bruh

[@iawds75]

Holy sh we have living legend right here lol

[@brayshell3922]

​@@JJStale missed the joke

[@masteryeet3600]

My dad was such a lucky bastard he got to see this live as he was 22 when this aired edit: let me reiterate i know that top of the pops performances weren’t performed live, i simply meant that my dad saw this as it was live on air, not the performance itself being performed live.

[@tobybalmont9037]

23*

[@masteryeet3600]

@@tobybalmont9037 22 still, turned 23 in December

[@tobybalmont9037]

@@masteryeet3600 24*

[@jayveebloggs9057]

i saw them at the Hacienda round about this time...

[@taniaarthur]

"live"

[@delby66]

A terrible shame to hear of Andy Rourke's death. What a great bass player. My condolences to his family and friends. May he RIP.

[@johnmichaelson9173]

RIP Andy Rourke & condolences to the family. I first met Andy in the BBC bar after they'd just backed Sandi Shaw on Top of the Pops in 1984. Such a lovely fella & what a Bass Player, wow just wow. If anyone has any doubts about Andy's playing just check out what Guy Pratt says about Andy. It's such a sad day, he's gone but never forgotten, his music will speak for himself & his talent.

[@fortyminers9389]

who else was never able to see them live and wishes they could time travel

[@christophermartin7889]

I saw them in august 86 at the fox theatre in Detroit. Great show!

[@MCphattyStoolz]

I'm watching them live, now

[@westonsea]

Don’t wanna gloat but.......oh ok i will.....saw them live Twice 1984 Birmingham Tower Ballroom and 1986 Wolverhampton civic Hall - no day goes past without me thinking of those gigs.....they were as good as in your dreams!

[@emileconstance5851]

Saw them on The Queen is Dead Tour, Boulder, Co. Kissed Morrisey on stage.

[@MrAlwaysBlue]

Fortunate enough to see them at Lancaster Uni 1984.

[@lucaaa03]

the smiths saved my life

[@tajson1488]

same

[@mvrick1]

same here

[@valeriamontoya2217]

Same, and Oasis too😉

[@tobybalmont9037]

thank me later

[@DVDfeverGames]

RIP Andy Rourke (17th January 1964 - 19th May 2023) 😥

[@ftfwseoaoj9101]

I’d build a time machine just to watch this live The Smiths are the best 80s band of all time

[@Shadow_of_Yharnam]

Hmm I’d say Depeche Mode is the best. The smiths are still great tho

[@thegolfdude]

You'd be disappointed then since they're not actually performing

[@fivvem]

Shifting

[@meatsurfer]

no cameras, no phones, no mics, no amps or cords, just living in the moment

[@Abeja1225]

Just your good ol fashioned lip sync

[@gobsmacker2390]

I wish

[@llIlIlIIllIIlllllllIIIlI]

all over flawless feels

[@MartianFruit]

This song reminds of my brother, who I lost in the mountains in Hawaii

[@skudsproductions323]

1:14 AAAH

[@jhonnycagexrage7458]

AaAAhH

[@tobybalmont9037]

12:12

[@jagandsunder]

RIP Andy - that bass-line! This chiming riff wouldn't stand a chance over a root-note plod. Bravo sir.

[@roses1]

His voice is still so refreshing to this day

[@gabrielabarros2036]

his jawline wow

[@thecinematicmind]

Best night of those flowers

[@robloxscpsplaythroughs1137]

What a great singer I hope there isn't any controversial news surrounding him.

[@stevenvargas4800]

Why would that matter doesn’t take away from his amazing voice don’t be a sheep

[@NicolaVerni-qj2wu]

Yawn

[@mnih6072]

😂

[@missingno88]

morrisey is based

[@ardrialban511]

Whatever it is he’s in trouble for, he’s probably right.

[@joseloprado5181]

This Fucking Man!!!!!! I love

[@nmyo27]

This Charming Man

[@pepepantuflas1]

His quiff is o epic

[@rayvaughan3197]

👊😔 revisiting today 19.5.23 ..... Andy Rourke R.i.P and thank you for the music

[@maddy-tt7xn]

i wish i was alive in the 80s. the music, the movies, everything seemed so much better. i wish i could time travel back in time. i’m 14 and i hate growing up in today’s society :(

[@bob_lobblah1388]

He's so damn charming he don't even need a mic, the universe just obliges

[@mrtoad1408]

Lol he doesn't need a mic because TOTP was all lipsynced then. Even the musicians aren't actually playing.

[@stephenson19861]

​@@mrtoad1408 I heard it frustrated them and that's why he didn't even want to have a mic but flung flowers

[@rushyy8765]

@@mrtoad1408 this is why Freddie mercury is better

[@tysfalsehood]

@@rushyy8765 Freddie also lipsynced on Top of the Pops. It's just how that show was. Both bands genuinely performed their songs love on other occasions lol.

[@RadioClambake]

RIP Andy Rourke

[@david-nr4ok]

Oh look at that style. Awesome

[@rayvaughan3197]

Currently reading Marrs autobiography "set the boy free" ..... it invigorates your near 40 year love of this band and how it all came to be, Marr is a gift an iconic legend and a beautiful soul .

[@Randmhuman]

What a song

[@manfredlopeza1002]

Happy to be here listening to Morri's voice, the perfect guitar of Johnny "F" Marr, Andy's bass and Mike's drums. Keep going, guys. We can overcome with this 2020, remember that "there is a light that never goes out".

[@SansukitheOriginal]

There is a Light that never goes Out is A MASTERPIECE and will overlife ALL Generation

[@gnus3830]

All the performances on TOTP were done with backing track, and that means that Marr, Andy and Mike were just mimicking playing the song live. The only person who was actually performing 'live' here was Morrissey.

[@Fragrantbeard]

Sungley Yeah, he is lip syncing. Hell, at one point he sticks his tongue out when "he" is still singing.

[@Norce555]

@@Fragrantbeard I'd say the fact that he doesn't have a mic is the bigger "hint" that he isn't singing live.

[@Gabriel-fj2es]

One of the best and most memorables moments in rock history.

[@M15Guys]

Beautiful then - beautiful now ......

[@stevieperez9992]

Should of been #1 on the chart’s

[@priskadr8107]

STAN THE SMITHS

[@dougfunnie8321]

Good Song!!!!

[@eduardobrazil007]

Perfection

[@f1sh_st1cks]

This band is my nutrient

[@Thecrow987]

The smiths saved my life

[@chocmint]

oh to be in that audience....

[@lamentpnw8662]

Man their goes maar workin his guitar magic again. His guitar skills are so powerful he can all play without it even plugged in

[@shadowplay5363]

Iconic.

[@jessereamer5804]

For me the Smiths are like a good bottle of wine. they get better with age!

[@amytaylor4407]

Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day?God bless you!!❤️

[@AJM01]

Didn't realise how much I'd miss T.O.T.P. I find myself watching repeats whenever I'm looking for something to watch and come across them on tv.

[@tombartram7384]

I've got a boring af job, security guard, and totp downloads in my phone are a lifesaver! I'm 58 hence 78-88 is my era. I also watch motorbike and car vids plus George & Mildred from that era. Bit sad really but never mind.

[@AJM01]

@@tombartram7384 😆 I am a bit younger so 80s are my earliest memories. I am currently watching "Minder" because I remember the theme from my childhood.

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

I'm so glad-ioli this song and video exists.

[@grimmertwin2148]

Best comment here - everyone else hung up on lip synching or earnest fawning

[@hnyg1ld075]

Rip andy rest easy

[@doug1234dougx]

Johnny Marr ducking the flowers Morrissey is swinging. LMAO.

[@CHS_BLue]

Lmao

[@bradglascott9678]

Honestly one of the best songs of all time

[@jennyjohnson7751]

Morrissey definitely helping my anxiety xxxxxxxx

[@0liver0verson9]

40 years ago. Unbelievable.

[@plasteredbastard]

this moment ushered in the 80s

[@footyguy01]

The most iconic TOTP performance of the 1980's. It was a complete & total cultural shift, a real cannon blow to 1980's music.

[@abcb0210cag]

I'm practicing this song on guitar. Marr's beautiful riff

[@alexdebua2666]

It's very enjoyable to do!

[@tobybalmont9037]

cheers

[@alexiaandrade2902]

Me too

[@El_Andru]

I just did. Downloaded a looping pedal app. Its so fun to layer guitars

[@avrolancaster6987]

A megastar was born that evening. I miss. TOTP and music how it was...(and this was before even my time.... but it was ‘better’.... it just was... than today).

[@serenitatis2191]

"I Think Youve Blown Some Minds, John"

[@mikemccord72]

I remember watching this as an 11 year old on top of the pops. I remember my dad going what the hell is this awful crap so i instantly fell in love with the Smiths. Its been a 40 year old one sided love affair wver since.

[@comicalsoldier]

Sometimes it's hard to be yourself, thank you Morrissey for showing me that is not impossible.

[@criminally_vulgar]

I think we all have to agree that Morrissey's hair was at its best in late 1983!

[@doowopfanuk]

any amount of brylcream never got close for me

[@b.m.1841]

this music remind me about so many things that i miss.. it was a nice nostalgia

[@roof.rat.]

Agreed, although it was just last year

[@shawncicalese4094]

Charming man, whose listening in 2020?!

[@hiyay8830]

2021!!

[@vocevailermeucomentario7571]

The best British band

[@LyleStevik.]

Você Vai Ler Meu Comentário the cure

[@vocevailermeucomentario7571]

@@LyleStevik. @pode_copiar

[@janismorrissey]

Let's pretend the smiths are still together and they put this video here. Anyway thank u ♡♡

[@idontgetjokes1918]

Shut up Janis

[@blmarg1001]

@@idontgetjokes1918 very cool, great opinion sick mode kid

[@antoniopadula9401]

Let's pretend Morrissey wasn't an horrible person

[@tobybalmont9037]

they are together they're called travis scoott

[@raulgonzalezart6006]

The Smiths are LEGEND.

[@mrmralloa8540]

At number 30😁😁😁😁

[@edisone.7212]

Carnival from Brazil 2021 and quarentine yeeet!

[@perksofbeingadeadpoet]

this makes me happy

[@zurucalel7568]

Love the Smiths ❤

[@carusher6681]

Zuru Calel, same

[@andymurph3394]

brilliant band the smiths Morrissey had such a unique voice

[@James-bu6yz]

Andy forever

[@nievesofficial]

Amazing

[@bibypbh8219]

neevs agreed

[@SimMaster]

The Smiths are the best 80s band of all time

[@Teajonmustard]

Never say something like this ever in your fucking life. Reading this comment I literally felt me heart stop working for approximately 3 minutes. I crawled from the ground to my computer (even though I can’t feel the right side of my fucking neck) to tell you this

[@vitazumer7903]

@@Teajonmustard lol why?

[@TOB-mi2do]

Obi wan Kenobi people who don’t think there the best don’t fully understand Their music. Evidently your one of them ... 🤦🏼

[@SimMaster]

@@Teajonmustard stay safe bro

[@alaw4581]

@@TOB-mi2do umm that's not how opinion works

[@miaaa_eg_1787]

the smiths will ever ever get old.

[@cristiant1068]

Simplemente historico

[@rafaelbaldivia7269]

Os The Smiths 🍷🍷🍷

[@maxkeane2545]

Does anyone else feel like the future generation will say I wish I could go back to 2010 or 2020 like we do with the 80s and 90s

[@mia-zf4ls]

Hopefully not. We’ve got shit music right now

[@eightiescrazy]

I was born in the 80s. I can find music I like in any decade from the 1960s onwards. Post-2005, naw. I've given up on listening to new stuff. Maybe I'm just too old and stuck in my ways though 😀

[@mrtoad1408]

No, because there were barriers to entry to making music then. So generally only people who had the talent and dedication made it. Now anyone can with free software. There's obviously good new music (I'm not one of those old cynics who think everything is rubbish now). But it's like a torrent of shit with a trickle of quality now.

[@DTraviesoP10]

“… Get Together one more time..” - Jim Morrison.

[@peterlorrequartet6559]

A complete enigma for this era of pop music......so different....so brilliant....

[@MultiSUPERLATIVO]

They were truly fortunate. There are lots of wonderful bands that never had 10% of what The Smiths achieved in terms of selling records and the due respectful amount of consideration. They indeed put Rough Trade Records on the map.

[@grahampick4959]

Will still be heard and remembered and played in 50 years time. Unlike today's so-called pop & r&b.

[@vapourmile]

Never has this record more confidently made the eighties look like a better time than the 2020s. Everybody was having a good time then, now we're all living in fear.

[@lavendxr_grey]

beautiful man moz thank u for being so pretty x

[@valentina0102]

Only God knows how much they helped me when I was feeling like there was no way out. It doesn't matter where life will take me, whenever I'll listen to them I'll think about the 16-year-old I used to be and time will be just a perception. "But they were the only ones who ever stood by you"...

[@tobybalmont9037]

i also think about the time when u were 16 aswell

[@jamiel.3555]

I love the wireless guitar and bass

[@marcoantoniogarridomunguia5863]

I love the Smiths

[@fracox17]

Love the Smiths

[@tobybalmont9037]

thxs

[@lauratacuriarqque8699]

Amo a The Smiths

[@lucasdummer7912]

Brazil love you guys! 01/11/2020

[@keithhanisek2465]

Class

[@smfc1rjh]

Such a hypnotising voice

[@migueldrozino2686]

Saudade do que nunca vivi tenho 14 kkkk

[@bellesss]

this is one of my favourite songs in the entire world oml

[@HIStoryInTheMix]

The Smiths’ KZbin channel really goes from 480p to 2160p *chef’s kiss*

[@luisdias3843]

Love The Smiths!!

[@hellhoundz8628]

just looking at johnny makes me incredibly happy