40 years ago today (13 May 1983), The Smiths released their debut single "Hand in Glove" kicking off a short lived but influential run of albums and singles.
While reviewing a 1983 concert by the Smiths and the Go-Betweens at The Venue in London, Barney Hoskyns, writing for the NME, described "Hand in Glove" as "one of the year's few masterpieces, a thing of beauty and a joy forever". In the 1984 edition of The Rock Yearbook, Hoskyns said the song "swept into my heart". Bill Black, writing for Sounds, described it as a "daunting" debut. Writing for Allmusic, Ned Raggett called the song a "stunning, surprising debut" and describes the music as "sparkling," highlighting Marr's "careful overdubbing of acoustic and electric guitars". He also described Rourke's bass and Joyce's drumming as "sparse but effective", and said that Joyce "especially shone".
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, senior editor for Allmusic, said "Hand in Glove"'s lyrics contain "veiled references to homosexuality".
Noel Gallagher selected the song as his fourth Desert Island Disc during his 2015 appearance on the show. He prefaced it with "one of the greatest songs ever written."
[Verse 1]
Hand in glove
The sun shines out of our behinds
No, it's NOT like any other love
This one is different because it's us!
Hand in glove
We can go wherever we please
And everything depends upon
How near you stand to me
[Refrain]
And if the people stare
Then the people stare
Oh, I really don't know
And I really don't care
Kiss my shades...
[Verse 2]
Hand in glove
The Good People laugh
Yes, we may be hidden by "rags"
But we've something they'll never have
Hand in glove
The sun shines out of our behinds
Yes, we may be hidden by "rags"
But we've something they'll never have
[Refrain]
And if the people stare
Then the people stare
Oh, I really don't know
And I really don't care
Kiss my shades...
[Verse 3]
So, hand in glove I stake my claim
I'll fight to the last breath
If they dare touch a hair on your head
I'll fight to the last breath
For the good life is out there somewhere
So stay on my arm, you little charmer
But I know my luck too well
Yes, I know my luck too well
And I'll probably never see you again
I'll probably never see you again
I'll probably never see you again
Oh