There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (4:02)

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There Is a Light That Never Goes Out is a song by The Smiths, written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr. It was originally featured on their 1986 album The Queen Is Dead, but despite its popularity it was not released as a single until 1992, after The Smiths split up. Morrissey re-released the song as a double A-side live single (with his cover of Patti Smith’s

Redondo Beach) in 2005, which reached #11 in the UK singles chart. The song has been voted highly in numerous “best ever” song lists.

The song lyrically utilises a first-person narrative concerning yearning, anxiety, and implied romance. Morrissey assumes the role of a person who has, one could infer from the lyrics, been kicked out of home, so seeks solace and company in the form of the person the song addresses - the car’s driver.

Musically, the song begins with a staccato bridge similar to that heard on Hitch Hike by Marvin Gaye and There She Goes Again by The Velvet Underground, which recurs as a musical motif throughout the song. With synthesized strings, a balladesque arrangement and yearning lyrics, many listeners have viewed “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” as a straightforward love song despite some ambiguity in the lyrics themselves.

Lyrics
Many of Morrissey’s lyrics are borrowed from other sources. In particular, the title of this song has been a source of wonder. One credible suggestion has been that the title is a paraphrase of what Hugh Latimer said to Nicholas Ridley as they were about to be burned at the stake as heretics during the reign of “Bloody Mary,” Queen Mary I of England:

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80s, indie, alternative, british, the smiths
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Arguably one of the best songs ever written.

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The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
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marieritchie wrote:
yesterday evening

<3

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_Riley_ wrote:
Sunday evening

To die by your side, such a heavenly way to die <3

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Jaketallica wrote:
Sunday evening

to me it sounds like the driver may be a father or mother of the narrator, post divorce, and the parent at the "house" has got with someone else, or something.

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jodyisanidiot wrote:
Sunday afternoon

lesbian song :)

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jcblck wrote:
Friday evening

i'll never get sick of this song, no matter how much i listen to it...

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Westie_X wrote:
Friday afternoon

One of the best Smiths songs and simply one of the best songs ever.

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ppifpafpuff wrote:
Friday morning

There is a light that never goes out Loberdo :D

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tahtatekerlek wrote:
Friday morning

Take me out tonight Khazalll. Zeliha style :) Private joke man.

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Musiclov86 wrote:
Wednesday evening

"To die by your side..." ::Swoon!!!!!!!!!!!::

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funkyhighrisers wrote:
last week

my friends dad was a musician and he introduced this song to me. Its still one of my favorite songs.<3

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silverioc wrote:
last week

One of The Smiths best songs!

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EvilCat312 wrote:
last week

wow such a great song!

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momma__mad wrote:
last week

This is definitely one of those groups who I owe nothing but a lifetime of thanks and praise. <3333

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davidbowiegirl wrote:
last month

Great song <3

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jcblck wrote:
last month

my favourite song of all time.

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godonnygo wrote:
last month

A little overrated, but still a good song. I love the coda, where the strings are in the background and Morrissey's vocals are at their best.

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priscila_m wrote:
last month

Best Smiths song ever (:

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igetnorespect wrote:
last month

One of their best tunes ever! Brilliantly done! His lyrics makes me laugh!!!

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dontmakemeatrgt wrote:
last month

how sings "i dont care i dont care i dont caree", is so perfect. better late than never though, eh ?(in regards to the 500 days of summer folk)

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rogums wrote:
last month

The Sun has just gone down..but the Smiths are on

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