The Smiths - This Charming Man [Top Of The Pops, 24 November 1983] video free download

The Smiths' first appearance on Top Of The Pops, recorded on 24 November 1983 when This Charming Man had just entered the top 30.

"At the time, there'd been this question of whether it was cool to go on Top of the Pops, probably from the Clash refusing to do it. But we were a new generation and it felt like there were new rules. It's paradoxical, but a connoisseur's approach to retro music was modern. We were into Phil Spector and the girl groups but wanted a modern currency, which set us apart from the bands using electronics. Plus, when the members of the Smiths were children, Top of the Pops was one of the most important days of the week. Suddenly we found ourselves on it. Previously, we'd been synonymous with the John Peel show, and suddenly that culture was on Top of the Pops -- John Peel started to present it, and it was a new phase: post-punk going mainstream.

Marilyn was on just before us and he was a beautiful creature, but to be confronted with the kind of language Morrissey used in the song after Paul Young and a Tina Turner video must have been very arresting. Interesting and subversive ideas can get through if you wrap them up in a great pop tune." - Johnny Marr, The Guardian, June 2011

Taken mainly from the 2DVD TV Anthology set, the audio has been upgraded, using the remastered version of the track from 'The Smiths Complete' set. However, the original audio has not been completely replaced to retain the crowd noise that is usually heard on the show.