The song appears to have been written in early September 1983 or slightly before that.

It was professionally recorded for the first time on 14 September 1983 for the band's second appearance on John Peel's BBC programme (first broadcast on 21 September 1983), with producer Roger Pusey.

The definitive album version was recorded in mid-October 1983 at Pluto Studios in Manchester, with producer John Porter.

single version {3:04}

• "What Difference Does It Make?" single, all formats

• "Louder Than Bombs" album

• Australia "The World Won't Listen" double LP and double cassette

• UK cd-single#2 re-release of "How Soon Is Now?"

• deluxe edition of "The Sound Of The Smiths" [remastered 2008]

John Peel radio session 21 September 1983 {3:03}

• "Hatful Of Hollow" album

This song has been performed live 30 times by the Smiths, perhaps up to 34 times when taking into account the number of unknown setlists from the early Smiths days. It was introduced on the very last date of 1983 and played every night on the British leg of the tour promoting the release of the band's debut album in February/March 1984.

There are no officially released live recordings of the song at this point in time.

No demos or studio outtakes of this song have leaked to the general public at this point in time.