Exactly 30 years ago today (February 11) indie legends The Smiths released their second studio LP, 'Meat Is Murder'. It became the band's sole number one album in the UK charts during the band's lifetime, staying on the chart for 13 weeks. Morrissey and Johnny Marr produced the album themselves, assisted by engineer Stephen Street, who they had first worked with on the session for 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now'. The album's sleeve uses a 1967 photograph of Marine Cpl. Michael Wynn in the Vietnam War, though with the wording on his helmet changed from "Make War Not Love" to "Meat Is Murder".
From the classic LP is the opening track 'The Headmaster Ritual', which is said to be a statement against corporal punishment.