The Smiths: Panic (Live Version)

Contrary to the majority of the few The Smiths' clips available this one allows viewers to see the band on a live performance rather than the usual avant-garde imagery made by the great Derek Jarman (who also directed this video and the black-and-white version of the same song). As always, it always to see Morrissey's performance full of heart and soul, but's interesting to see drummer Mike Joyce in full evidence for a great part of the clip (live performance sound so different, and his drums are an integral part of the act), and a quite reduced focus of guitarrist Johnny Marr (he usually steals the show when Morrissey isn't singing and dancing). However, the main attraction comes from a random kid who was invited to the stage to perform the backing vocal part towards the ending (in the original recording is a girl), and the kid is so excited to be there that he misses his cue while admiring Marr. It's quite fun, and more random than the kid is seeing the crowd, with some more enthusiastic souls trying to imitate Morrissey's dance moves - they're all awfully close to the stage yet no one jumps there (gotta admire that). Usually I don't like performance clips because they don't bring much interest in visual terms just the sound matters, but this one was quite special and "Panic" was one of Smiths greatest moments. 7/10.