Hand in Glove
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Hand In Glove" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by The Smiths | ||
| from the album The Smiths | ||
| Released | 1983 | |
| Genre | Alternative rock | |
| Length | 3:23 | |
| Label | Rough Trade | |
| Writer(s) | Johnny Marr Morrissey |
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| Chart positions | ||
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| The Smiths singles chronology | ||
| "Hand in Glove" (1983) |
"This Charming Man" (1983) |
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"Hand in Glove" was the first single from British band The Smiths, released in 1983. The band were disappointed and somewhat aggrieved at the single's poor performance, prompting lead-singer Morrissey to include it on almost every compilation album since.
The single's B-side, "Handsome Devil", provided the group with their first slice of tabloid controversy in the UK as some newspapers falsely alleged that its lyrics condoned paedophilia.
[edit] Tracklisting
[edit] 7": Rough Trade / RT131 (UK)
- "Hand in Glove"
- "Handsome Devil (live Manchester Hacienda 4/2/83)"
[edit] Sandie Shaw's version
| "Hand In Glove" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by Sandie Shaw | ||
| B-side(s) | "I Don't Owe You Anything" | |
| Released | 1984 | |
| Genre | Alternative Rock | |
| Label | Rough Trade | |
| Writer(s) | Steven Morrissey, Johnny Marr | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| Sandie Shaw singles chronology | ||
| Wish I Was (1983) |
Hand In Glove (1984) |
Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken (1986) |
1960s British girl singer Sandie Shaw had been a huge influence on Morrissey. She had had a string of many hit singles on the Pye label, but had semi-retired from public life in the early 1970s. In the early 1980s Shaw had recorded a song for the B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation)'s "Music Of Quality And Distinction" album and had also released an original album in support of the World Peace Exposition in London. These however were not seen as commercial projects and it was not until she received a letter in August 1983 that she decided to step back into the limelight. The letter was signed "Two incurable Sandie Shaw fans" and told her that "The Sandie Shaw legend cannot be over yet - there is more to be done." It was in fact from Morrissey and Johnny Marr of The Smiths.
At the time Shaw was married to Nik Powell, co-founder of the Virgin Group, who was acquainted with Geoff Travis of Rough Trade Records, to whom The Smiths were signed. Through Powell and Travis, Shaw reluctantly agreed to meet Morrissey and the two became friends, which led to her being asked by the group to record their song "I Don't Owe You Anything," which had been written in mind for her to sing. She also ended up recording two further Smiths tracks - "Hand In Glove" and "Jeane." It was eventually decided to release "Hand In Glove" as a single, with "I Don't Owe You Anything" as the B-side and "Jeane" as a bonus track on the 12" single. On its release the single sold well, shifting 20,000 copies in its first three days of release. It eventually peaked just inside the Top 30 on the UK singles chart, and was accompanied by a legendary Top Of The Pops performance with Shaw writhing on the floor backed by The Smiths all in bare feet (as a tribute to her quirk of performing barefoot during the 1960s. Morrissey himself was seen dancing in the wings during the performance. Shaw, 37 at the time, later stated "I don't intend to age gracefully. I intend to do it quite disgracefully with a lot of kicking my legs in the air!" This marked the beginning of a 1980s comeback for Shaw, which involved three successful University tours and a highly acclaimed album.
| The Smiths |
| Morrissey - Johnny Marr - Andy Rourke - Mike Joyce |
| Craig Gannon - Dale Hibbert |
| Discography |
|---|
| Albums: The Smiths | Meat Is Murder | The Queen Is Dead | Strangeways, Here We Come | Rank (live) |
| Singles: Hand in Glove | This Charming Man | What Difference Does It Make? | Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now | William, It Was Really Nothing | How Soon Is Now? | Shakespeare's Sister | That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore | The Boy with the Thorn in His Side | Bigmouth Strikes Again | Panic | Ask | Shoplifters of the World Unite | Sheila Take a Bow | Girlfriend in a Coma | I Started Something I Couldn't Finish | Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me | There Is a Light That Never Goes Out |
| Band-assembled compilations: Hatful of Hollow | The World Won't Listen | Louder Than Bombs |
| Other compilations: Stop Me |Best...I | ...Best II | Singles | The Very Best of The Smiths |
| Related |
| Rough Trade Records |
