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About

Genius Annotation

“Hand in Glove” was released in May 1983 as The Smiths' first single.

The song was later featured on the band’s first album, The Smiths, and also on their two compilation albums: Hatful Of Hollow and Louder Than Bombs.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did The Smiths say about "Hand in Glove"?
Genius Answer

Marr told Simon Goddard that he assumed Morrissey wrote this song about their friendship: “purely because we were the only people hanging out with each other at the time.”

What has Morrissey said about this song?
Genius Answer

Morrissey explained to Star Hits Magazine:

I just wanted to use the theme of complete loneliness. It was important to me that there’d be something searingly poetic in it, in a lyrical sense, and yet jubilant at the same time.“ Guitarist, Johnny Marr, told the biographer, Simon Goddard, that he assumed Morrissey wrote this song about their friendship, "purely because we were the only people hanging out with each other at the time

Did they like the song?
Genius Answer

Morrissey was proud of the song, explaining:

I think the record is so absolutely perfect in every respect that if it just dribbles away I shall be ill, probably for ever.

What's with the artwork?
Credits
Produced By
Remixed by
Lacquer Cut By
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Single Photography
Music by
Words by
Single Lacquer Cut By
Harmonica
Vocals
Recorded At
Strawberry Studios, Stockport, England
Release Date
May 13, 1983
Songs That Interpolate Hand in Glove
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