The Smiths – “The Boy with the Thorn in His Side”:
A Thorny Love Letter to the Doubters
The Smiths’ “The Boy with the Thorn in His Side,” released in September 1985, wasn’t their biggest chart hit (it only reached No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart), but it was a massive moment for the band. This song became a powerful declaration of their frustration with the music industry, all while showing off their growing confidence as artists.
A Metaphor for Misunderstanding
Morrissey and Johnny Marr crafted this song using the image of a wounded boy to symbolize the band’s uphill battle for recognition. Morrissey later spilled the beans, explaining that the “thorn” represented the music industry – the critics, the executives, everyone who brushed off The Smiths and wouldn’t play their records. The lyrics are a mix of sadness and defiance: “How can they hear me say those words / And still they don’t believe me?” It’s a plea for validation, but also a bold statement that The Smiths were here to stay, “thorn and all.”
From Single to Album and a First Music Video
The single version, recorded in August 1985, has a raw, stripped-down mix without the synth strings you hear later. That more polished, remixed version found its home on their 1986 masterpiece, The Queen Is Dead, where it reached a much wider audience and earned critical praise.
Fans also love the original 12-inch single’s B-sides, “Rubber Ring” and “Asleep.” They flow seamlessly into one another, creating a haunting, continuous listening experience that’s still cherished today.
Speaking of firsts, “The Boy with the Thorn in His Side” was The Smiths’ first official music video. The band had always resisted them, but this time they caved. Directed by Derek Jarman, the clip features the band miming in a garden, bathed in soft light with some surreal touches – a perfect visual match for the song’s romantic yet defiant mood.
Legacy
It’s no surprise that in a 2003 interview, Morrissey called this his favorite Smiths song. It perfectly captures the band at a crucial point: a bit bruised but unbroken, poetic yet incredibly direct. Over the years, it’s become one of their most beloved tracks, not for its chart position, but for its raw emotional honesty and its timeless message.