The Smiths “Hand in Glove” b/w “Handsome Devil” 1983. Rough Trade Records. The Smiths first single reached #3 on the UK indie chart and appears, remixed, on their 1984 album The Smiths. The single’s cover artwork is a photograph of George O’Mara by Jim French, specifically chosen by Morrissey to spur a reaction of outrage by consumers, while also conveying the confrontational loneliness of the single.

Hand in glove
the sun shines out of our behinds

Yes, we may be hidden by “rags”

but we have something they’ll never have

And if the people stare
then, the people stare
oh I really don’t know
and I really don’t care

Both Morrissey and Marr have commented in interviews that the lyrics to “Hand in Glove” are their favorite of all Smiths’ songs.

Runoff groove etchings: Side A – “Kiss my shades” Side B – “Kiss my shades too”