The Smiths “This Charming Man” released 40 years ago today, October 31st, 1983. Today is also Johnny Marr’s 60th birthday (b. John Maher, 1963). 12″ single released on Rough Trade. “This Charming Man” was The Smiths second single; it went to #25 on the main UK singles chart and to #1 on their Indie chart in ’83. Upon its reissue in ’92, it hit #8 on the main UK chart. This is the US version: on Side A appears “This Charming Man (New York) Vocal” (Remixed by François Kevorkian) and on Side B is a rather spaghetti-western leaning intro’d instrumental version “This Charming Man (New York) Instrumental” (Remixed by François Kevorkian) which also has overtones of David Bowie’s “Modern Love” (also released in ’83). Kevorkian, aka François K, is “a French-born, U.S.-based DJ, producer, remixer and label owner who started his career DJing in clubs such as the Paradise Garage and Studio 54. Kevorkian has produced and remixed work by a diverse range of musicians including the Smiths, Adam Ant, Kraftwerk, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode and U2, and is considered one of the forefathers of house music.” (Wiki). “This Charming Man” is bouncy, upbeat jangly indie-rock – one of my top Smith singles – with typically poetic, a bit depressing and a bit hilarious Morrissey lyrics which are endlessly quotable in everyday situations: “I would go out tonight, but I haven’t got a stitch to wear” is something I love to mutter to myself as I gaze into my closet (well, that’s not entirely true – I rarely go out for going out’s sake and when I do, I generally don’t really care what I wear).