Hearing the Manic's cover version of 'This is The Day' reminded me of the original. I was introduced to The The in the early 80s, just after I left university. I was working at March Racing and we had a student called Tom on a work placement. I think he lodged in the same digs as me. I had just bought my first Hifi, and Tom had some cool LPs.
The The (or Matt Johnson) made a lasting impression. I have listened to their albums on and off ever since.
Here's their version, complete with cheesy 80s video, Matt Johnson with hair(!), drum machine etc:
The videos got a lot better as the year's went by.
Here's an acoustic version
Uncertain Smile live at the Albert Hall with Johnny Marr, David Palmer, James Eller