Photo: Morrissey and Rick Astley backstage at the BBC’s ‘Top of the Pops’ in 1989

Apropos of… well, we’re not sure… Morrissey fan site True To You today posted this 21-year-old photo of Moz (smiling, no less) and future Internet meme/then-pop-star Rick Astley backstage at BBC’s “Top of the Pops,” where the two appeared following the February 1989 release of their “The Last of the Famous International Playboys” and “Hold Me In Your Arms” singles, respectively. Anyway, this one’s too much of a curiosity not to share.

PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS:

• The Smiths Project: Janice Whaley recording covers of every Smiths song in 2010
• Audio: Demo of The Smiths’ ‘Paint a Vulgar Picture’ off ‘Strangeways’
• Milestones: The Smiths’ ‘Meat is Murder’ released 25 years ago today
• Smiths Indeed fanzine (1986-1989) to be reprinted in limited-edition, 100-set run
• ‘An Open Letter to Morrissey’: Publisher Faber & Faber pleads for Moz’s memoirs
• Alternate take of The Smiths’ ‘Girl Afraid’ surfaces on ‘Hatful of Hollow’ cassette
• Morrissey calls last 3 albums his ‘life’s peaks,’ apologizes for ‘Swords’

Tags: BBC Hold Me In Your Arms Morrissey Rick Astley The Last of the Famous International Playboys Top of the Pops