Today’s video of the day is The Smiths – "What Difference Does It Make?" released in 1984.
“What Difference Does It Make?” is one of the defining songs of The Smiths. Released in January 1984, it became their third single and a breakthrough chart success. Written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr, the track captures the band’s early energy and lyrical bite. The song appears on their debut album, The Smiths, released later in 1984. A different version, recorded for BBC Radio 1’s John Peel Show, is also featured on Hatful of Hollow. This alternate recording is often praised for its raw intensity and stripped-down sound.
“What Difference Does It Make?” reached No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart, giving the group one of their first major hits. Its success helped solidify The Smiths’ place in the alternative rock scene of the 1980s. Interestingly, the single was released without a promotional video. Morrissey stated in 1984 that he believed music videos would fade quickly and wanted to “herald their death.” Despite this, the track remains one of their most recognized early works.
The single’s cover also drew attention. It featured a photograph of actor Terence Stamp from the 1965 film The Collector. Initially, Stamp denied its use, leading to temporary pressings that showed Morrissey holding a glass of milk in a re-enacted scene. Eventually, Stamp approved the image, and the original cover was restored. This song connects strongly to The Smiths’ lyrical themes of alienation and wit. Its title is borrowed from Jack Kerouac’s novel The Dharma Bums, where the phrase is repeated by the character Ray Smith. Another phrase from the book, “Pretty girls make graves,” inspired a different track on The Smiths. In the wider scope of their catalog, the song stands as a bridge between their raw debut and later polished works like Meat Is Murder and The Queen Is Dead. It helped define the band’s style of jangly guitar melodies paired with sharp, literate lyrics. “What Difference Does It Make?” remains an essential song in The Smiths’ legacy, capturing their early defiance and lasting cultural impact.
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