What Difference Does It Make? / Back to the Old House

by The Smiths

What Difference Does It Make? / Back to the Old House cover art
  • Type: Single
  • Released: 20 January 1984
  • Label: Rough Trade
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 6:20
  • Community rating: 4.25/5 from 4 ratings

Artists on this release: John Porter, Johnny Marr, Mike Joyce, Andy Rourke

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Propelled by Johnny Marr's heavy, classic rock-inspired guitar riff, which he famously resented for being too simplistic and conventional. The single sleeve originally featured a still of actor Terence Stamp from the film 'The Collector'. When Stamp initially objected to the use of his image, the band quickly reshot an exact recreation using Morrissey before Stamp relented, resulting in two rare cover variations.

Genres

Descriptors: melodic, rhythmic, alienation, lgbtq

Tracklist

  1. What Difference Does It Make? (3:20)
  2. Back To The Old House (3:00)

Credits

  • The Smiths - primary artist
  • Andy Rourke - bass guitar
  • Mike Joyce - drums
  • Johnny Marr - guitar, music by, written-by
  • John Dent - lacquer cut by
  • Terence Stamp - model [cover star]
  • Morrissey - voice, sleeve, words by, written-by

More from The Smiths: full discography