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"This Charming Man" by The Smiths, released in 1983, is widely interpreted as a song about sexual identity, attraction, and class dynamics, delivered with Morrissey's characteristic ambiguity and wit.
Key Themes:
1. Ambiguity and Sexuality

The song is often read as exploring homoerotic tension or gay attraction. The lyrics tell of a young man who gets a flat tire and is picked up by an older, more sophisticated man in a car—a scenario loaded with suggestive undertones:

"I would go out tonight, but I haven't got a stitch to wear..."
"This man said, 'It's gruesome that someone so handsome should care'"

Morrsey’s refusal to clearly define his sexuality during the band’s heyday only added to the mystique.
2. Class and Style

The lyrics contrast working-class insecurity with upper-class elegance. The narrator is poor and concerned about appearances, while the "charming man" seems self-assured and worldly—perhaps offering a gateway to a different social world or identity.
3. Youth and Insecurity

There’s a vulnerability in the narrator’s voice, reflecting uncertainty about his place in the world and in relationships. The song captures the awkward tension of being young and impressionable, especially when drawn into a more mature or complex situation.
4. Irony and Humor

Typical of Morrissey's lyrics, there’s a layer of dry, English humor and irony—especially in the way the seemingly serious themes are paired with upbeat, jangly guitar work by Johnny Marr.

In essence:
"This Charming Man" is a snapshot of a fleeting, possibly romantic encounter tinged with class tension, sexual ambiguity, and a dash of melodrama. It became one of The Smiths’ defining songs, in part because it’s open to multiple interpretations.