The Boy with the Thorn in His Side by The Smiths

Album: The Queen Is Dead (1985)

Charted: 23

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Songfacts®:

Morrissey in an interview with the actress Margi Clarke: "The thorn is the music industry and all these people who never believe what I said, tried to get rid of me, never played the records, so I think we've reached the stage where if they don't believe me now, will they ever believe me."
This was the first Smiths single to be accompanied by a promotional video.
The man on the cover of the single release is a photo of Truman Capote taken by Cecil Beaton in 1949 when the American author was in his 20s. According to Morrissey, when he put him on the cover a bandmate said, "is that Ernie Wise?" >>
Suggestion credit:
Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for above 3
Being revolutionaries, The Smiths refused to make videos, but they eventually succumbed (appeasing their label, Rough Trade) to a performance promo for this song. Johnny Marr told Q magazine, "We said, if we're going to capitalize we will, under duress, allow you to interrupt this space we're in but we refuse to move more than one foot away from where we are right now, and hurry up."

"We were punk rock in lots of ways. The video is utterly crap. We were young and wilfull and unique and single-minded. Even when we were wrong."

Comments: 5

Neil from Birmingham, UkI always thought the thorn in the side was a metaphor for the burden of being gay in an unsympathetic world. 'When you want to live, how do you start? Where do you go? Who do you need to know?' Always thought that referred to not knowing how to even begin a gay life. I guess you take what you want.
Myla from San Diego, CaThis reminds me of when I was taking a guitar class in high school with a bunch of head bangers who wore Ozzy Osbourne and Iron Maiden T-shirts, and our guitar teacher asked us to bring samples of songs with great guitar in it. So I brought in this song and Big Country's cover of "Prairie Rose." When I looked back at that experience, I didn't know I was that brave to let a bunch of heavy metalers listen to those songs! Ha ha! I was one of three girls in that class! Johnny Marr's melodic guitar with Morrissey's swooning voice was a perfect pairing for great music. I never get tired of hearing this song!
Pete from London, United KingdomThis song was also covered by Jeff Buckley
Alanna from Bath, Englandthis song was covered by Scottish indie band Belle and Sebastian
Danny Quinn from London, United Stateswhat a song a true great

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