The Smiths » Tracks » There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

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

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About This Track

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 album The Queen Is Dead, but despite its popularity it was not released as a single until , 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 , 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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Albums featuring this track

  • The Queen Is Dead
    The Smiths Play
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  • Singles
    The Smiths Play
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  • The World Won't Listen
    The Smiths Play
    Buy
  • Thank Your Lucky Stars
    The Smiths Play
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See all 12 albums

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  • tonialouwho

    finally a good song..."Happy Birthday Morrisey" you have such an amazing voice. I'm a memver of Sirus Radio, "1st Wave" which is 80's & 90's New Wave/Alternative/Goth music and they were asking all their friends on Facebook celebrating his music, asking each one of us if we got to choose a lyric from any of Morrisey's songs what one would you choose or is your favorite and I posted "I am Human and I need to be loved like everyone else does"...

    Thursday evening

  • keanequeen

    Mais que perfeita.♥

    14 days ago

  • Vodkabot

    Oddly enough, I knew of the song long before my mother (that found out about the song via 500 Days of Summer) even though The Smiths broke up before I was even born. She thought they were new. Heh...

    17 days ago

  • jettalowlife

    waking up to die in the arms of love, can you love someone you have never known?

    18 days ago

  • prettyuly08

    500 days of summer

    19 days ago

  • pvmnt

    PURE PERFECTION

    19 days ago

  • heaventree22

    ohh memories of high school...

    19 days ago

  • bittersweet1994

    500 days of summer brings me here :D

    20 days ago

  • RiskingItAll

    to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die

    20 days ago

  • Ashlee_Black

    Lol who cares about how you found the song? Can't we just all be happy that people can appreciate good music? [2]

    22 days ago

  • PoisonSakura

    Song of my life.

    24 days ago

  • colouxx

    Lol who cares about how you found the song? Can't we just all be happy that people can appreciate good music?

    24 days ago

  • isalovescott

    and if a double decker bus crashes into us, to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die. ♥

    25 days ago

  • JellyBean1994

    Fucking fantastic song.

    27 days ago

  • Svetita

    I am glad to be living in the world where this song has been written. If there IS a light that never goes out anywhere, I'm pretty sure that's the one.

    28 days ago

  • Last_RichFM

    ...¬¬ if you came here by "500 days of summer", you are a complete wannabe fucktard (44) ...haha, you're so right!

    last month

  • milkchocolate9

    <3

    last month

  • dysthymia666

    I think this could possibly be, (dare I say it,) too good?

    last month

  • gemmarosa

    to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die [4]

    last month

  • theplasticmind

    but then a strange fear gripped me and i just couldn't ask

    last month
See all 1,241 shouts

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