Hardly surprising you get a Elvis-y vibe off it since the riff is, completely unashamedly, lifted from His Latest Flame (in fact, on their later tours, they would open the song with a verse of His Latest Flame and then go into Rusholme Ruffians).

These are the songs that saved my life.

A great, upbeat tune from the guys. Nice acoustic, but it's that super catchy bassline that really carries it along. And of course Morrissey, just being Morrissey, doing what he does best.

I lived in Rusholme when I was student in Manchester- great tune

Hi Justin. Dave here, on the sunny Isle of Wight. This track takes me back to My Old School. University, really, as I lived in the Rusholme part of Manchester for all the three years I was studying. Probably best known for its 'curry mile'. Would I want to be a ruffian? Not sure about that; I'll just scoff my biryani. P.S. my song ref My Old School is by Steely Dan.

Meat Is Murder is a great album. Not a bad song. The title track is a little demanding and Morrissey going very deep on vegetarianism. Apart from that the music is outstanding. This album shows the best of Andy Rouke And Mike Joyce, the rhythm section really is amazing on this album.

Back in the days when Morrissey was still liberally lifting from his influences, these lyrics are mostly cribbed from northern English comedian Victoria Wood's comic song "Fourteen Again"... she was originally from the outskirts of Manchester herself, and didn't take offence to the "homage"... she was once asked if she and Morrissey were an "item", and she said "Yes we are, we just haven't met yet" 🤣 "I want to be fourteen again Tattoo my self with a fountain pen Free rides on the waltzer off the fairground men For a promise of a snog, the last night of the fair French kissing as the kiosks shut Behind the generators with your coconut The coloured lights reflected in the Brylcreem on his hair..."

Top quality Smiths from their finest long player. It doesn't matter one jot that the guitar riff is a direct steal from Elvis's 'His Latest Flame'. It's hard to imagine the eighties without these guys!

The "Latest Flame" riff is used because it portrays the rock n roll that was played at local fairs (including the fair in Platt Fields Park - in Rusholme). This was the 60s/70s when there was no streaming / MTV / internet..... so hearing this music at the fairs was one of the rare occasions you heard music communally with friends....

“Scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen. This means you really love me”

Oh, no one's said it yet! That sound is the fairground rides shutting down! Last night at the fair. This song is all about teen angst and desire when the circus comes to town. The chance to find love, and the more likely heartbreak when it all goes wrong. And of course the seedy element who just might shiv you behind the ride for pocket change.

I've never heard this one before - but enjoyed it, what's not to enjoy, it's the Smiths!!! That lyric toward the end about hair grease and speedways - is probably another Elivis reference as he did a movie called Speedway in 1968. It even sounds like Morrisey does a very brief Elvis impersonation. I did see the comments confirming the Elvis inspiration. I'm excited to hear more of this record - I've kind of only heard "the hits." When we ere in high school my best friend and I used to play a game called, "what music did I listen to while getting dressed this morning.," as if music influenced our choices. The Smiths are a great way to wake and have your morning tea. Thanks for the great reaction!

Rusholme is locally pronounced as “Rush’m” and is a borough in Manchester. Home to the ‘Curry Mile’, a long string of cafés, restaurants and Take-Aways along Wilmslow Road famed for their curry dishes.

Such a great song of a great album. Head Master Ritual is my favorite song on the album, but all songs are great.

My favourite Smiths Album. Oh and their 80’s compilation Louder Than Bombs

Marie's the name...... You love the bass, just wait for Barbarism. This is a great album, sometimes my favourite Smiths LP.

I lived in Rusholme for about a year when I was at university in Manchester, 20 years ago. It is 'The Curry Mile'. Like 100 curry houses on both sides of the road. Good stuff.

Thanks for the reaction, please do more Smiths! Love from Australia!

What She Said is sublime! Love this album ❣

5:36 Standout part of this song has to be "The grease in the hair of a speedway operator...". :0)

Watch out for a tattooed boy from Birkenhead!

The best thing about the The Smiths is the cheery music and the usually less than cheery lyrics.

Jp we need more Nick Cave and Tom Waits reactions!!

One of their simpler songs off the album, I prefer many other tracks but this is perfect to set the scene for the album. Also has of course a great bassline. Solid

TUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNE Marie is her name.

Hey, you should react to what I think is the most under rated song by the Smiths, You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby

"Rusholme Ruffians" has a rockabilly feel to it but is a bit linear to my taste. Nice but far from being an essential track on the album. That said, I much prefer this track to the next one ("I Want the One I Can't Have"), in which Morrisey's vocals are frankly borderline!

Not too bad, but all the song the same.