I've just watched it performed on T4 and felt the need to register to a forum just to voice my disgust. Every iota of wit, venom and self-pity has been sucked out and replaced with the buffoonish superficial sincerity of a blowhard. The "R'n'B" of 2007 has nothing to do with Motown, just as this cover owes more to Blue than The Temptations. As I recall the Smiths original (though I think I've listened to more than one recording) had about 13 guitar tracks creating the symphonic depth and texture that made the Hated Salford Ensemble so affecting. This Ronson character reduces the song to facile hip-hop rhythms and faux-classical Saga radio strings. I loathe the Metallica-esque mentality that translating the notes of rock guitar to a classical instrument lends the music any more gravitas. It's a cretinous and flimsy approach to music.
It should never have happened.