40 years ago today (2/11/85), The Smiths released their second studio album Meat Is Murder. The album had a darker, more political tone compared to their debut, tackling issues like vegetarianism (the title track), corporal punishment (“The Headmaster Ritual”), and working-class struggles (“Rusholme Ruffians”). “How Soon Is Now?” was added to the original American LP as the first song on side two and remains one of the band’s most defining songs courtesy of Johnny Marr’s innovative tremolo work in the song’s intro. Watch The Smiths and Morrissey in all his ’80s glory perform “How Soon Is Now” live on ‘Top of the Pops’ in 1985….
