MUSIC VIDEOS

Why is The Smiths’ “The Boy With The Thorn in His Side” Morrissey’s Favorite?

Poetic Wax | March 20, 2026

Morrissey once said that “The Boy With The Thorn In His Side” was his favorite song by The Smiths. Today we look into the story behind the song, and why it resonated so deeply with the band’s former frontman. Released as a single in 1985, the track would find a welcome home on The Smiths’ 1986 LP “The Queen is Dead.”

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MORE BY THE SMITHS:
✓ Bigmouth Strikes Again: https://youtu.be/_RTDWQ0jM7o
✓ Suffer Little Children: https://youtu.be/tgrWNyeTfek
✓ Meat Is Murder: https://youtu.be/blxw55-0kWA
🎥 The Smiths in the Poetic Wax Music History Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLylroYWVYWWW8QmFpOLCU5zpqG8uXg8Bp

Get The Queen is Dead on Vinyl 🎧 https://amzn.to/429tPUP

Poetic Wax is hosted by Andy Fenstermaker.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 The Story of The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
1:05 The Meaning Behind Morrissey’s Thorn
2:54 Johnny Marr’s Sparkling Defiance
4:12 A Young Truman Capote
5:21 The Smiths’ B-Sides
6:45 The Legacy of Morrissey’s Favorite Song

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Tagged as andrew fenstermaker, andy fenstermaker, andy rourke, fensepost, indie vinyl collection, johnny marr, mike joyce, poetic wax, record collection, the boy with the thorn in his side, The Smiths, The Smiths documentary, the smiths history, the smiths rubber ring, the smiths the boy with the thorn in his side, vinyl, vinyl collection, vinyl community, vinyl record collection, vinyl records.

Written by Poetic Wax

Comments

This post currently has 14 comments.

@irinamakarova3339

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

Thank you for your videos! I love Morrissey. It's so interesting to learn about his lyrics, greetings from Russia ❤❤❤
@Poppaea-Sabina

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

I love Morrissey but
I'm sure he would reject me and break my heart into pieces. ❤️
@XKXKIXKXK

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

Dig the channel. Great content. And most videos under 10 minutes!!
@thomasfranco5997

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

In the 80's had the best music from the U.K. So many groups were coming from the U.K. at that time. Depeche Mode, The Pet Shop Boys, The Cure, Thompson Twins, New Order, General Public, The Specials, and many others. Loved the music from the U.K. back then.
@french.toastman

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

I might have cared at one time before Morrissey decided to wear his fascism on his chest.
@jamesgibson3242

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

I've been a fan since 1986 and the songs by The Smiths never spoke to me as a dismissed person. I don't think I've ever been dismissed. I just love the music. I am neither doubtful nor dismissed. I just listen to the music and cover The Smiths on guitar.
@BobbyCrushed

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

I think you are talking about the US issue of the 12"? The UK version was just three tracks with Rubber Ring and Asleep segued together on side 2, and those two songs flowed together beautifully, with the recorded voice blending into the wind effect of Asleep. I think I'm right in saying this is the only instance of a Smiths record with two songs blended together with no gap?

I think this – Boy/Rubber/Asleep is the best trio of Smiths songs on one record ever, even better than the William/How Soon/Please Please trio on the 1984 UK William It Was Really Nothing 12".
@thunderbirds9319

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

Cool collection, but this script feels AI generated.
@bobdavis4848

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

Great feature and collection! I cohosted a Smiths special between Johnny Marr's leaving and the official breakup announcement. These days my coworker includes one of my favorites "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" among his most played songs in the store, too.
@MPWEST83

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

I love how you talk about The Smiths. I feel the same about them, and im so jealous of your album collection❤
@SkinnyEatWorld95

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

I was wearing my Smiths shirt when I went into a coma and lost my left arm. You covering this gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Such a great song❤
@tomjamison5934

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

Thanks Andy for another Fantastic video. I was lucky enough to see The Smiths twice in concert. And yes, they always had the Best single and album covers. 🌟
@iblame_astor

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

I always just thought it was about himself like a self portrait almost. The boy with the thorn in his side: some young man with wounds that wont heal.
@stevedotson1001

March 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm

"When you are laughing and dancing, and finally living, hear my voice in your head and think of me kindly." Moz. TY for the vid!