the smiths- what do you see in him?

[Alargh]

good question morrissey but don't worry, you're not the only one who don't understand what lots of beautiful girls see in their dickhead boyfriends......

[1912jackdawson1912]

oh my god this is hysterical

still good tho

[Sue71]

Who the H is singing this? Is it Morrissey before his voice broke? Eek!

[UnderTheAffluence]

@Sue71 It's Morrissey singing with very little practice, that's all.

[gemeos1235]

When I hear this music.... Urghhhhhhhhhhhh! This music tells everything

[davidLaMonaca]

see complete lyrics and comments on worldofmorrissey(dot)com

[nunzioforpresident]

0:25 that must be a very old picture ,never seen it

[francissweston]

Great pictures!

[MrKarpote]

This song is very good, but the ending just makes me feel like floating!  John Maher-genius!

[Acatzin116]

i can see how some people think he says HER but he does says HIM.. but he says it like.. HEM lol



[Wayhighup]

Yes, Naffychav! LONG LIVE MORRISSEY!

LONG LIVE MOZZA+~~~'~,~'~,~<@

LOVE YOU!

[Mrgettygirl]

I remember lying on my bed in anger at my long time crush. I kept repeating this track over and over. Trying to understand why he's better than me... Thank you Morrissey for your musical taunting words.

"She will leave you and i will be glad"

[andrewkenworthy]

@Mrgettygirl

hi names mark..irish guy living in finland,,just read your comment..i love someone to the point of driving myself insane, still want to seem them more than anyone will ever understand, she never really liked me just used me,which was beautiful and fulfulling at the time,when she went back to her man, i was as empty as old beer barrel, now its three years later, stuff has been said and regrets i have, and it hurts me when i go to bed to know shes not in mine but his..thats life.

[sallymick27]

The Original bootleg "Wilde About Morrissey" labelled this song "What Do You See In Him"

[wilbhaas]

gay or not i'll stick to it ;)

[atramentowy]

From James Maker, friend of Moz in Smiths' early days: "(...) The title of What Do You See In Her? was changed to Wonderful Woman for this very reason because of a concern that the group might be construed as gay." So Moz wrote "what do you see in her"(doesn't mean HE is the protagonist), then sang inarticulately live (it can be interpreted as both him/her)and then changed the words completely to fit the WOMAN theme. So perhaps the ambiguity of his lyrics wasn't set on from the band's beginning.

[junglecan]

For those two reasons, it is in my personal opinion that this song is unlikely to be about homosexuality of any sort

[junglecan]

For those two reasons, it is in my personal opinion that this song is unlikely to be about homosexuality of any sort

[junglecan]

Because he can't personally see any redeeming features. If however we are to assume homosexual connotations and implications, you have to wonder why Morrissey would be asking a person who is clearly heterosexual what he sees in her? Morrissey would of course be aware that the guy is straight and would therefore not need to ask such a question. In what way would it benefit him to go after a man who likes the company of women?

[junglecan]

Hypothetically, If the title was 'what do you see in her?' which it is not, this does not imply homosexuality. The lyrics could easily be interpreted as a man who is simply concerned about his friends well being and doesn't particularly like his friend's current girlfriend and for that reason is asking what he sees in her. .

[MirageMC]

What do you see in him? and what do you see in me? Aww I'll never understand bisexuality. Thanks to Morrissey I have a melody to cry with.

[lifeingreyscale2410]

the smiths. an example of music's absolute peak point. all downhill from then on.

[eldragonshiryu75]

Great song. I was looking for Wonderful Woman, but I found this. I had read it before somewhere a long time ago that this was the original song and then later changed to what we all know was recorded for the studio Wonderful Woman but I had never actually heard the original version....Its really good!

[youyouyouwhy]

you have to remember that record labels also have control of what gets projected..... kurt kobains original lyrics on some of his songs got morphed, the one that describes his open relationship with ms. love....lounge act.

[jaketrout33]

any true The Smiths fan knows full well that it was 'What do you see in Him' before it was Wonderful Woman. All of this bickering on here is clearly from people that don't know their Smiths history...

[spacedebris666]

'him' or 'her', I prefer this version to 'wonderful woman', thanks for posting.

[thegabeable]

hmmm well the lyrics are definatley different then on Wonderful Woman - this must be a demo that was released somehow

[bazmchat]

Very much a "work in progress" Glad they tidied it up for release! :)

Nevertheless, thanks to Kissmyshades for posting. A fascinating listen!

[daivietjohn]

I need not state my Smiths credentials, but I hear "her". Brilliant, either way

[fun2010K]

LOL. excellent

[lewys93]

Beautiful... It sounds so eerie and haunting in this low-quality recording.

[MrDilworth2]

This is a really nicely put together set of images, love the Taste of Honey bits! (btw this is a different version to the more popular b-side version; hence the him/her issue???)

[drbrandovalentine]

Right,Right you know ur stuff kissmyshades!!

[SubconsciousDweller]

omg! Im sorry he sound fucking annoying in this song!!! and I love the Smiths!! go figure!

[emperorpsivamp]

intense !!!

[emperorpsivamp]

moz !!!

[MagusMistake]

He will plague you, and I will be glad.

[nitter123]

Although the lyrics to this version makes more sense, i think its too simple for Morrissey to write. Wonderful Woman actually sounds like he wrote it. "Lets go and trip a dwarf" Only Morrissey.

[glamorousindie13]

Fantastic song.

[toweronepower]

is this genuine? probably i know but he sounds so kermit-esque in this.

[Applemask]

@toweronepower He did in those days.

[ThatsaCryinShame]

@toweronepower ray romano-esque

[RyanDawley]

sounds like it was dubbed off the worst 8trak player, thanks for trying

[avatar2k6]

does anyone know how to get a hold of these bootleg versions,cos im stuggling to find versions of this for download or for vinyl?

[WorldOfJulee]

I think they're on 'The Smiths Rarities'

You probably will find it in CD Stores.

[avatar2k6]

so why did moz re-write the lyrics to this song again?

[1337cg]

cause they are gay?

[stormeroffer]

really people... anyone who gets it knows that this was the orig. before it became wonderful woman. the real issue that is not being touched is the implications. i feel as though he just transpired his thoughts from what do you see in him (being dissplacent towards the boy)to the girl( ie wonderful woman) a juxtaposition so rarely found in 2 different lyrically composed songs. the real question are there others of this type we don't know about? long live morrissey and marr. cheers

[1337cg]

or he never found his voice.

and the audio gets better a minute through, just a lot of background noise.

[jcooke222]

@avatar2k6 It's live, i've got the bootleg.

[avatar2k6]

this is not called 'what do you see in him', its the song 'wonderful woman' by the smiths. A b-side from the this charming man single.

[Christopherblack30]

@avatar2k6 Can't you hear the alternative lyrics? Or do you have a hearing impairment

[kissmyshades]

with THESE lyrics yes, the song is called "What Do You See In Him." The only similarities between the two are the vocal melody and the music.

[xtfxtf1]

@kissmyshades They are quite important simularities!



[xFLUXLANDx]

@avatar2k6 how does it feel to get lectured when you came in here thinking you were dishing out the lessons... that will teach ya!!

[juttkeys]

@avatar2k6  I suggest before you post comment you become more learned :)

'What do you see in him' was the correct title for the first few gigs

[Sakhalinskii]

This is kinda brutal.

[tinyrebellion]

morrissey may be saying "her" not "him" but to me this expresses feelings on losing a dear friend to their new "love", if it is "her". If morrissey is gay (which he isnt-asexual) he wouldn't be that crass when coming out

[asianadore]

clearly says: she will leave you and I will be glad

[lionelstarch]

What do you see in him? WTF? Did you actually LISTEN to the words, kissmyshades?

The lyric is: 'Oh the nights are too long, when a question prolongs... I try, but I will never understand: What do you see in HER?' And the refrain is 'She will leave you and I will be glad...' Morrissey's most overtly gay lyric. This recording comes from a gig at the Hacienda, Manchester very early in 1983. I like the Smiths. I am not dissing Mozza here. But sheesh, listen to it if you're going to post it.

[kissmyshades]

It IS: what do you see in HIM? I know, because: 1. I HAVE listened to the words. 2. I own the entire Smiths discography compiled in the book Songs That Saved Your Life where the song it's clearly documented as "what do you see in HIM?" and #3. I've LISTENED to the words.

I've never read anywhere where the song was listed, noted or documented as what do you see in "her."

[kissmyshades]

Besides, why would Morrissey write such an obviously "gay" lyric? He would never compromise his mystique of beng anything but ambiguous when it comes to his sexuality especially not in his lyrics.

[lionelstarch]

A very good question. To my knowledge this is the only Smiths song that was rewritten by Morrissey somewhere inbetween being performed at a very early gig and then released on vinyl. Why? The question has bedevellied Smith fans for twenty six years. The answer may well be that - exactly as you say - Morrissey pulled back from 'compromising his mystique' and turned it into a love song for a woman instead.

[lionelstarch]

I mean, of course, 'bedeviled'.

[amyjohnson11]

Kissmyshades - according to James Maker (one of Morrissey's closest friends and high-heeled dancer at a couple of very early Smiths gigs), the title of "What Do You See In Her?" was changed to "Wonderful Woman" when Morrissey re-wrote the song, because Andy and Mike were uncomfortable with the homo-eroticism in Moz' lyrics. Also - if you listen to 'Handsome Devil' from the same era, I'm not sure "Who will swallow whom?" can be called ambiguous, really.

[Mozzerella100]

@kissmyshades you think that? even after dear god please help me?

thanks for uploading this; this is great. viva moz

[ellycat]

Oh, the nights are too long When the questions are long I tried, but I will never understand What Do You See In Him ? What Do You See In Him ? Oh ...She's the lifeblood of me As you walk hand in hand And I try, and I try, and I try But I will never understand Oh, What Do You See In Him ? I ask myself :- What Do You See In Him ? Oh ...But she will plague you and I will be glad Yes, she will plague you and I will be glad THE LYRICS :)

[jcooke222]

It's when a question prolongs isn't it? Not When the questions are long.

[ellycat]

These are the lyrics from the book that the author of this vid has talked about, so I'm not too sure.

[jcooke222]

@ellycat Hmmm, proper sounds like prolongs to me lol He has one of those voices where with some words it's really hard to tell, especially on this track.

[ellycat]

Yes, definitely, and it sounds like "What Do You See In Her", too, lol.

[Kiko3232]

You're totally right.

And at the end of the song is "she will plague you" and "he will leave you".

Regards...

[41htdex]

This reminds me of a cool song called dime a dozen guy by Marshall Crenshaw

[nathanch90]

The lyric is actually, 'But she will plague you and I will be glad'

[thepiratesghost]

@lionelstarch

Correction: Same tune with 2 different lyrical tracks, Wonderful woman/What do you see in him.

[heyitssomeguy]

@lionelstarch it sounds to me like he is singing both lyrics. First time around it always sounds like "what do you see in her", but the next it sounds like "what do you see in him". And then in the breakdown, it sounds like the first time he says "she will leave" and the next time he says "he will leave".

Doesn't it make the most sense that Morrissey would make the lyrics appropriate for all genders/orientations?

[1961webby]

@lionelstarch your bang on the money mate, th e other geezer must be deaf, and i am old enough to have seen them in Uni gigs (and did)

[1961webby]

@lionelstarch you cant open some peoples eyes mate, its Her . its always her

[chileiceman]

wow Moz sounds kind of strange here

[gothenburgmark]

I had this song on my rare Smiths "this charming man" cd. One with multiple versions of this charming man. Great song.

[idratherlistentobowi]

its on there?

i have the c.d., and it's not on there

[jcooke222]

This is off The Butterfly Collector as says the pic in the vid..

[naffychav]

long live Morrissey

[morrisseyfan2007]

It was on the troy tate album (the aborted first album)

[celtic097]

It was already called 'Wonderful Woman' on the Troy Tate Album.

[celtic097]

It also doesn't include the line "She will leave you and I will be glad' like this one.

[EmonTyrgar]

sounds like another one to me

just don't comment when you're drunk

[WafflNChewyNannas]

Nice!!

[silentlandscapes]

is it possible??a Smiths song i have never heard before!

[huluvzcousinbenson]

that base sounds so mean...love both versions but i do slighly prefer this version, adore the smiths. there music was so relevant back then and in most cases still is

[NineInchLashes]

This is amazing ... there any way to get hold of this song??

[SimMaster]

it turned into a song called Wonderful Woman, which is the B-Side of This Charming Man and it's also on The Sound of The Smiths

[Jackerzz2]

Anywhere to get hold of this version? With these lyrics?

[threeelevensalsa]

I love the smiths. Morrissey is so truthful about his lyrics. Just listening to this song gives me so many emotions.

[losinghell]

I try but I will never understand...

:(

wish I lived in the smiths epoque

[losinghell]

much better than wonderful woman!!!!

why didnt they record this song??

:(

[fernandostanlei]

Si esta grabada en el lado B de el disco de this charming man,

[areyoustarting]

i love this song :)

[FISTSCARBREAK]

♥ aaaaaahhhhh .. the smiths

[WorldOfJulee]

When he sings 'a da da a da da...' it sounds to me that he sings 'I love ya I love ya ..' :D wonderful

[sallyheartjack]

it sounds like morrissey doing a kidding around soundcheck unaware that they are recording.

[Brettmorrisseysuede]

i def think its mozz.

[wasagoodkid]

is this Morrissey singing? it sounds to me like someone impersonating him? not great sounding really imo, just wondered, what does anyone else think?

[kissmyshades]

it's morrissey for sure. the song is listed in their discography under "other smiths songs." lol.

[NicktheBarber31]

so it's just a bootleg? this is my new favorite song by them

[Reint25]

This was very early. This was I believe of their third gig ever. So I guess Marr didn't tune his guitar up yet, something that would fit Morrissey's voice a lot.

[JwahAmore31]

@wasagoodkid Well, it's him, for certain. I reckon this 'mysterious' voice he uses here is PERFECT for the tune.

[dfresh0114]

top photos!

[MissOSA]

Once I listened to this song nightly and understood what love might possibly be. Now, I feel strange half-remembered emotions that I thought were long dead. It reminds me of when I thought I would be loved and the years when I wasn't.

It is beautiful and sorrowful.

[cahwyman]

It brings those long dead memories back to me.  I kinow what you say.

[thischarmingmartin]

Yeah, Morrissey kind of predicted that his fans would feel that way about his music in the song, 'Rubber Ring'.

[SabbyDiamond69]

"Rubber Ring" is amazing...if you've heard the new album, "I'm OK By Myself" displays his true feelings for his fans who think he needs to reunite with The Smiths. I don't think he does. It wouldn't be the same. The shame would literally rot the air.

[talissin]

Beautiful rarity.

[IngSocSSR]

I really like his voice in this one

[eerie87]

Thank you so much for uploading this!

[JuanCarlosVejar]

shit this is so fucking cool !!!!

[neurox6900]

I love both versions!!

[jcooke222]

These lyrics seem a bit more darker than Wonderful Woman. Both versions are fantastic though.

[cahwyman]

Just recently saw the movie that's referenced in the photos. It's called "Taste of Honey" with Dora Bryan. Heard at least two lines that Morrissey mentions in his lyrics.

[fac443]

i'll never understand why this wasnt a single at the time

[reballare]

i like the lyrics for this better than wonderful woman

[asbte]

had never heard this one!

[biarritzsurf]

this is pretty cool, well done!

[NaMrJellyRek]

nice.

yea early version of wonderful woman.

"what to be done with her"

"when she calls me I do not walk I run"

I remember hearing this song (recorded lyrics) and LOVING it when I was in 10th grade. thats 13 years ago. Crazy

[ThisiswhyIlikeyou]

I've never seen a collection of photos with so many smiley morrisseys, nice.

[SWAC424]

This is sick, I had only read of this version until now!

[morrissey1959]

early wonderful woman ?

[sebaof]

thank's por el bootleg::!

[mattcash76]

Thanks a lot!

[Mirlana13]

oh my god I can't stop lovign this man..

[goodAdonis]

oddly enough,i find this awesome.the recording,the singing,everything.

[smithsfan92]

forget the morrissey quiff i want johnny marr's hairstyle in the pic where morrissey has the cowboy hat on

[smithsfan92]

i prefer this to wonderful women. thanks for sharing this kissmyshades. great song

[rwm89]

i believe its taken from a live album that was called handsome devil, it was their third gig as a band. the whole album sounds terrible but its good to hear the early smiths

[julesmattjones]

i love this song. so underated!

[aesthector]

one of the first non-radioplay Smiths songs I heard, it was in a compressed audio format so it sounded even worse!

[dawndelver]

terrible. i like it tho

[dizzywhore1804]

Brilliant to see the changes in his voice over the years. Much as i unquestionabley love Mozza; his voice is pretty weak here.

[dizzywhore1804]

I love the way that I have been given a negative rating simply for DARING to criticise him.

Some people need perspective.

[notapplicable66]

Maybe it's your name they didn't like. lol!!

[amyjohnson11]

well her name comes from a Smiths song so I don't think it would be that reason...

this recording is dreadful

[hueroski]

Thanks for sharing this!!!!

[Morrisseythe23rd]

Ditto.

[notapplicable66]

All I can say is I'm glad he changed it. The version wonderful woman is way better.

[Applemask]

I always thought Wonderful Woman had a pretty good tune that they never really used to its fullest potential.

[foxbasealpha]

I wish Morrissey still sang like that. It's heartbreaking and earnest.

[KarenBerninger]

I love you, steven ;*

[BillieXBudd]

i beleive it goes

"she will plague you and I will be glad"

[shade0045]

Oh, thanks for the correction Billiexbudd. By any chance do you know where I can find the pic on 00:27? For some reason I like that one.

[foxbasealpha]

You can find that photo of the Smiths on the American pressing of the 12" single of 'How Soon Is Now?' Search eBay for it.

[kissmyshades]

the pic at 00:27 was made into a poster.

[d1ablo818]

morrissey at his best!!!

[shade0045]

I love this version the best!!!

"He will leave you...and I will be glad"

is that how it goes?

Wow, how I relate to this song.

Thank you Kissmyshades!!

[Winfield92]

kissmyshades, you are now awesome in my book. thanks for uploading this XD

btw, i &hearts; the guitar line! fuggin' sweet!

[hooligun240]

this was an early demo of wonderful woman

[momomimimomo]

My life in 3 minutes and 26 seconds...

[Stillillgal]

rare! tnx

[cirEgnimrahC]

the butterfly collector??

[kissmyshades]

the version, "what do you see in him" was released on that album titled: the butterfly collector. or that's what i thought i read omewhere online...