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

[@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.

[@alightthatnevergoesout]

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

[@Gloth_Sang]

imagine this many smiths fans on youtube not registering that this is a lipsync. i figured smiths fans had some degree of music literacy

[@Lildrummerboy50]

this is one of the greatest songs of all time

[@miktaka1526]

sure

[@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

[@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

[@basketballadigonzalez5561]

This isn’t pop

[@kevanbrown7620]

@@basketballadigonzalez5561 Jazz?

[@chorigod8341]

​@@kevanbrown7620 It's Jangle Pop

[@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

[@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

[@светакейпоп-ы6к]

bruh

[@axlblazeauthor]

Holy sh we have living legend right here lol

[@brayshell3922]

​@@JJStale missed the joke

[@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

[@gqmartinez1]

Let’s just say, the 80s had a lot of amazing bands and songs compared to todays music scene

[@mmmanutd]

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

[@tttobigs]

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]

😉

[@mmmanutd]

@@tttobigs sí :(

[@m.s.7756]

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

[@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.

[@Chapsticmania]

1:14 AAAH

[@jhonnycagexrage7458]

AaAAhH

[@tobybalmont9037]

12:12

[@roses1]

His voice is still so refreshing to this day

[@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"

[@kramerbassplayer]

Thats some good bass playing on this track

[@LANCSKID]

Andy Rourke RIP .

[@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.

[@LANCSKID]

See him these days … like a half-cut embarrassing old uncle at a wedding reception. Anachronism personified.

[@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.

[@jagandsunder]

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

[@MartianFruit]

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

[@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.

[@david-nr4ok]

Oh look at that style. Awesome

[@abcb0210cag]

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

[@alexdebua]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@pepepantuflas1]

His quiff is o epic

[@lucaaa03]

the smiths saved my life

[@tajson1488]

same

[@mvrick1]

same here

[@valeriamontoya2217]

Same, and Oasis too😉

[@tobybalmont9037]

thank me later

[@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

[@Gabriel-fj2es]

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

[@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

[@nicolemccabe5735]

my dad loves the smiths i’m 22 and love them too , he is in prison just now and listening to this reminds me of him he always plays it x

[@Coupleofstoners23]

Free your dad x

[@bradglascott9678]

Honestly one of the best songs of all time

[@Randmhuman]

What a song

[@nievesofficial]

Amazing

[@bibypbh8219]

neevs agreed

[@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.

[@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 .

[@priskadr8107]

STAN THE SMITHS

[@zurucalel7568]

Love the Smiths ❤

[@carusher6681]

Zuru Calel, same

[@thecinematicmind]

Best night of those flowers

[@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 :(

[@thefairyqueen369]

You would not be disappointed! It was without doubt the most magical time. Life was different then, I felt no pressure going out, just enjoying ourselves, seeing live bands every week and just not being able to get enough of the songs on the radio, so many new bands with totally new sounds and image, coming out left right and centre. WE were literally spoilt for choice and we knew it. Did not know anything else so now looking back we can see it was like a pocket in time before it all started going to crap! If you find some documentary about bands from that time, you can get a bit of and idea what it was like! Have a great day!

[@luckiae]

Top of the pops is the best thing created.

[@LANCSKID]

A certain Mr. Savile certainly thought so, … ow’s about that, then?!

[@Springheeledjim5]

⁠@@LANCSKIDJim fixed it for the King!

[@luckiae]

@@LANCSKIDthat’s why it is matey.

[@rayvaughan3197]

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

[@yami1758]

Mano, essa música fará parte da minha playlist eternamente ❤

[@dicasdesaudeparaleigos7378]

Somos dois. 😍😍😍😍😍

[@Semnome_780]

The smiths é poesia

[@victorialima1801]

Eu sou fanática em smiths e tipo caralho preciso da amizade de vcs

[@BITGAMMER]

Mano amo esses cara ♡

[@welliu4529]

a banda faz parte da minha playlist/vida

[@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).

[@nalonoliveira1988]

Cresci ouvindo Smiths... incrivelmente saudosa memória 👏👏👏👏

[@tobybalmont9037]

do u have a turkey version?

[@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.

[@kevanbrown7620]

The Smiths were the perfect medicine after we had been infected by the likes of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet, Wham, jeez man, they came along just in time. Thank You Smiths 🙏

[@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

[@dougfunnie8321]

Good Song!!!!

[@andymurph3394]

brilliant band the smiths Morrissey had such a unique voice

[@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.

[@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.)

[@raulgonzalezart6006]

The Smiths are LEGEND.

[@comicalsoldier]

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

[@shadowplay5363]

Iconic.

[@cristiant1068]

Simplemente historico

[@eduardobrazil007]

Perfection

[@Zeekdafreak989]

Bro this shit be slapping for eternity

[@shirleysantos6632]

I love you..Se puldesse escrevia mais em Ingles, ...mais não sei..Me basta Admira-los.. melhor banda..anos 80 de todos os tempos😍😘

[@imnotlikeanyone]

concordo

[@lucas77025]

Paixão e amor eterno por essa banda 🎈

[@Thecrow987]

The smiths saved my life

[@M15Guys]

Beautiful then - beautiful now ......

[@LANCSKID]

Much like my mistress.

[@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

[@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

[@bellesss]

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

[@J2885-l9k]

At number 30! What a decade of music

[@gabrielabarros2036]

his jawline wow

[@jlaw8873]

Loved the Smiths never forget seeing this for first time November 83 absolutely fu@#*%# brilliant

[@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.

[@TheRealThomasPaine1776]

I was such a rocker back in the 80's but I totally got into the Smiths and used to dance like crazy to this song! I was a bass player, but I just loved the guitar work!!!! And yes, I actually saw them live at Great Woods, outside Boston! It was perhaps in 86-87, maybe 88.

[@miaaa_eg_1787]

the smiths will ever ever get old.

[@smfc1rjh]

Such a hypnotising voice

[@serenitatis2191]

"I Think Youve Blown Some Minds, John"

[@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!!❤️

[@janismorrissey]

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

[@idontgetjokes1918]

Shut up Janis

[@bmar400]

@@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

[@thenintendogamer9318]

Bands from the Golden Age never to be repeated

[@anthonyhagen5028]

Timeless, great that Johnny marr knocked on Morrissey's front door.

[@chrisst8922]

1:02 Johnny uses a Rickenbacker 330/12. This was the first TV perfornace of this song I can remember and because of the tone of the guitar part on the recording and the presence of the twelve string, I think I and a lot of other people thought that Charming Man must've been recorded with it. Subsequently we found out about the use of the Telecaster and the story that the Rickenbacker was loaned by Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music.

[@aure5134]

Forever iconic my favourite band ever

[@sammi5984]

Hi i randomly look at stuff from my youth! My dad used to work at the beeb doing top of the pops and i took it all for granted! Amazing!

[@joseloprado5181]

This Fucking Man!!!!!! I love

[@lauratacuriarqque8699]

Amo a The Smiths

[@zigzag2510]

Beauuuuuuutiful song❤❤❤

[@DVDfeverGames]

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

[@windowdancercymbals8246]

Those lucky kids grew up in the 80s and really appreciated all that wonderful music thank you dismiss thank you Morrissey thank you the Cure love you

[@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.

[@grahampick4959]

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

[@migueldrozino2686]

Saudade do que nunca vivi tenho 14 kkkk

[@alexisbarcelos5547]

one of the best songs

[@vocevailermeucomentario7571]

The best British band

[@LyleStevik.]

Você Vai Ler Meu Comentário the cure

[@vocevailermeucomentario7571]

@@LyleStevik. @pode_copiar

[@thebookautistic]

this makes me happy

[@luisdias3843]

Love The Smiths!!

[@peenchub151]

This made staying at home a lot more enjoyable

[@fracox17]

Love the Smiths

[@tobybalmont9037]

thxs

[@panturbofanger8424]

Free-flow highway cruisin' to the beach & other fun places, radio plays this + top-40 hits 1980s-90s diamond days forever.

[@stevieperez9992]

Should of been #1 on the chart’s

[@Madfer90]

Brazil love you guys! 01/11/2020

[@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.

[@tedmalley7636]

Saw them live back in the 80's @ "the Channel" in Boston...they were awesome...!!!!

[@jamiel.3555]

I love the wireless guitar and bass

[@sheryl.j9076]

I would give anything to be able to go back and watch this live...absolutely phenomenal

[@iamahater170]

thank you for providing us w this content whilst we’re staying in our homes

[@hellhoundz8628]

just looking at johnny makes me incredibly happy