"This Charming Man" came as The Smiths very first single to be released, in the year before their self-named debut album come along and it already showed what was
the group was all about in being very unconventional. And this video also speaks for itself. Eternally vain and charismatic lead singer Morrissey owns the show with his
performance while singing and making some dance moves as band mates Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce play their instruments in the background, almost obscured by
the key man and the small room where they play, all covered with flowers and petals on the ground.
One may wonder what people thought of them at the time while dealing with a song about a charming man, a very enthusiastic sound with some sad bites in its lyrics.
Those, followed with Moz clothing with a delicated style could labeled them as "wrong" back then but there's nothing wrong. It's an act of defiance just as Bowie and Ferry
did in the 1970's, to dare to present yourself as you are or want to be presented, free of labels and without giving a damn about what other people think.
Musically speaking, for a band it its early years (which didn't last long, sadly) they had one of the most perfect singles of all time: catchy with its sound and
chorus, and wildly and unusually poetic for any possible era due to Morrissey's countless literary references and putting back to form old-fashioned terms (also happens
in many other songs as well). As an invitation card to future fans, it's a perfect way to understand the group and what they would become in that glorious decade. A
highly unusual sensation that only happens in 20, 25 years with luck. 8/10.
