The Smiths — There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Album: The Queen Is DeadAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2310
Length: 3:54
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Take me out tonight
Where there's music and there's people
Who are young and alive
Driving in your car
I never, never want to go home
Because I haven't got one
Anymore
Take me out tonight
Because I want to see people
And I want to see lights
Driving in your car
Oh please, don't drop me home
Because it's not my home, it's their home
And I'm welcome no more
And if a double-decker bus
Crashes into us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine
Take me out tonight
Take me anywhere, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
And in the darkened underpass
I thought: 'Oh God, my chance has come at last!'
But then a strange fear gripped me
And I just couldn't ask
Take me out tonight
Oh take me anywhere, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
Driving in your car
I never, never want to go home
Because I haven't got one
Oh I haven't got one
And if a double-decker bus
Crashes into us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine
There is a light and it never goes out..
Where there's music and there's people
Who are young and alive
Driving in your car
I never, never want to go home
Because I haven't got one
Anymore
Take me out tonight
Because I want to see people
And I want to see lights
Driving in your car
Oh please, don't drop me home
Because it's not my home, it's their home
And I'm welcome no more
And if a double-decker bus
Crashes into us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine
Take me out tonight
Take me anywhere, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
And in the darkened underpass
I thought: 'Oh God, my chance has come at last!'
But then a strange fear gripped me
And I just couldn't ask
Take me out tonight
Oh take me anywhere, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
Driving in your car
I never, never want to go home
Because I haven't got one
Oh I haven't got one
And if a double-decker bus
Crashes into us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine
There is a light and it never goes out..
Comments (465)add comment
Heavenly!
I don't know how I missed this when it was fresh in 1986, but I can't get enough of it now.
When I first heard this song , I thought the lyric was, "If a ten ton shark, kills the both of us."
Still works.
Still works.
siriuss wrote:
Back to XM Land with you. There you go now.
atrociously bad. 
it has been like this all day.. even with the PSD. Total garbage day !
it has been like this all day.. even with the PSD. Total garbage day !Back to XM Land with you. There you go now.
The cover goes with this song. Next up - Black Sabbath.
fredriley wrote:
I don't know about "lovingly" - Moz's name is dirt over here on account of his open support for far Right political groupings, and his barking reactionary English nationalism (rather amusing for a guy who lives in the US). I don't know what a "pill" is in your context, but many of us consider him to be a total pillock (a good Yorkshire insult, that).
He was a great songsmith with the Smiths but without Andrew Marr he's a grumpy miserable reactionary old git. He has a devoted following amongst white middle-class middle-aged men, for some unknown reason, who see him as a messiah.
Morrisy is one of those people would crawl back under a rock, just find him a bore
I don't know about "lovingly" - Moz's name is dirt over here on account of his open support for far Right political groupings, and his barking reactionary English nationalism (rather amusing for a guy who lives in the US). I don't know what a "pill" is in your context, but many of us consider him to be a total pillock (a good Yorkshire insult, that).
He was a great songsmith with the Smiths but without Andrew Marr he's a grumpy miserable reactionary old git. He has a devoted following amongst white middle-class middle-aged men, for some unknown reason, who see him as a messiah.
Wolford wrote:
I don't know about "lovingly" - Moz's name is dirt over here on account of his open support for far Right political groupings, and his barking reactionary English nationalism (rather amusing for a guy who lives in the US). I don't know what a "pill" is in your context, but many of us consider him to be a total pillock (a good Yorkshire insult, that).
He was a great songsmith with the Smiths but without Andrew Marr he's a grumpy miserable reactionary old git. He has a devoted following amongst white middle-class middle-aged men, for some unknown reason, who see him as a messiah.
Sure, Moz (as the Brits lovingly call him) is a total pill
I don't know about "lovingly" - Moz's name is dirt over here on account of his open support for far Right political groupings, and his barking reactionary English nationalism (rather amusing for a guy who lives in the US). I don't know what a "pill" is in your context, but many of us consider him to be a total pillock (a good Yorkshire insult, that).
He was a great songsmith with the Smiths but without Andrew Marr he's a grumpy miserable reactionary old git. He has a devoted following amongst white middle-class middle-aged men, for some unknown reason, who see him as a messiah.
siriuss wrote:
Maybe you should try going back to bed, and waking up on the other side this time.
atrociously bad. it has been like this all day.. even with the PSD. Total garbage day !
it has been like this all day.. even with the PSD. Total garbage day !Maybe you should try going back to bed, and waking up on the other side this time.
atrociously bad. it has been like this all day.. even with the PSD. Total garbage day !
it has been like this all day.. even with the PSD. Total garbage day !It's the voice that I like most.
What a tune! Cheers me up no end.
Can't stand his monotonous voice!!!
A big fat 10 too - I love them
Brilliant.
DaMoGan wrote:
I read your typo as "Surfing roadtrips to Hollywod and Vegas" and I was greatly confused...
I read your typo as "Surfing roadtrips to Hollywod and Vegas" and I was greatly confused...
That's funny! I was reading it just now too and was like "surfing in Hollywood and Vegas?"
It was actually DURING our road trip, the one partially inspired by the movie Swingers, hence the Vegas and Hollywood visits. Just don't tell Bud I can stand the Smiths nearly 2 decades later ;-)
Long Live RP!!
Bill reading the comments again. Great 80's band!
Bloody hell, I cannot stand his whinging voice.
Proclivities wrote:
At least of all the criticisms of them here, no one has called them "derivative" or accused them of ripping off Pink Floyd, The Beatles, or Led Zeppelin.
Good point, well made!
I'm cracking up !
.
Rotterdam wrote:
To quote the infamous Stingray "You're from Rotterdam, you're forgiven".
Gosh, I never noticed how dumb these lyrics were, before.
And how this guy cannot sing on tune.
Ick.
And how this guy cannot sing on tune.
Ick.
To quote the infamous Stingray "You're from Rotterdam, you're forgiven".
A big fat 10!
tgrier wrote:
There was no other band like them; they sounded like no single band or artist before them. At least of all the criticisms of them here, no one has called them "derivative" or accused them of ripping off Pink Floyd, The Beatles, or Led Zeppelin.
To think this was 1986. Amazing. Fresh.
There was no other band like them; they sounded like no single band or artist before them. At least of all the criticisms of them here, no one has called them "derivative" or accused them of ripping off Pink Floyd, The Beatles, or Led Zeppelin.
lizardking wrote:
I read your typo as "Surfing roadtrips to Hollywod and Vegas" and I was greatly confused...
Suring roadtrips to Hollywood and Vegas, my buddies Jake and Bud and I traded off driving duties AND CD duties. Bud tortured us with Dr. Octogon/Kool Keith/Dr. Dooom/Black Elvis and Smiths/Morrisey. We compromised with the Beastie Boys. Nearly 20 years later, and I'll finally rate this a 6.
I read your typo as "Surfing roadtrips to Hollywod and Vegas" and I was greatly confused...
This is simply as lovely as ever.
melzabutch wrote:
Totally agree.
Totally agree.
During roadtrips to Hollywood and Vegas, my buddies Jake and Bud and I traded off driving duties AND CD duties. Bud tortured us with Dr. Octogon/Kool Keith/Dr. Dooom/Black Elvis and Smiths/Morrisey. We compromised with the Beastie Boys. Nearly 20 years later, and I'll finally rate this a 6.
OK, just went from 8 to 9! What a great song.
'And if a double-decker bus, crashes into us
To die by your side, is such a heavenly way to die'
'And if a double-decker bus, crashes into us
To die by your side, is such a heavenly way to die'
michel_zws wrote:
Me too. The Smiths, along with Kate Bush, were a kind of audio gateway drug. For me, my first taste of something a bit different than top 40 — there were other kinds of music out there. The Smiths always bring me to that sad, strange, beautiful place.
one of my first entries in the not-really billboard kind of style pop music - still goose bumps. nice RP!
Me too. The Smiths, along with Kate Bush, were a kind of audio gateway drug. For me, my first taste of something a bit different than top 40 — there were other kinds of music out there. The Smiths always bring me to that sad, strange, beautiful place.
justin4kick wrote:
My 10 is still there.
Mine too
My 10 is still there.
Mine too
springof63 wrote:
Ah, interesting!
Any Smiths is PSD, for me, which for me is to let my iTunes shuffle me up something from my library. (Today i got 'Cold Day in the Sun' - Foo Fighters, just in case you were wondering!). Cheers
Ah, interesting!
melzabutch wrote:
I disagree...... love this!
I disagree...... love this!
His voice is like butter.
To think this was 1986. Amazing. Fresh.
amystone wrote:
There is. I'm not a fan at all of his voice, but I can appreciate the skill and craft of the music making. Smiths songs never really get above a 7 for me, but never go below 5 either.
Ah the Smiths. Love or hate .. Never any middle ground with Manchester's favorite (favourite?) sons! Count me in the love column.
There is. I'm not a fan at all of his voice, but I can appreciate the skill and craft of the music making. Smiths songs never really get above a 7 for me, but never go below 5 either.
still love it
MrsTom wrote:
You? Or your rating?
Dropping from 2 to 1
You? Or your rating?
CHuLoYo wrote:
My 10 is still there.
jessesteinen wrote:
Straight 10. Can't believe I never rated this before. Just a bit of loving up against all the hating ;)
I think there is a bug or something similar because I lost a lot of votes that I'm sure I was voted beforeMy 10 is still there.
jessesteinen wrote:
I think there is a bug or something similar because I lost a lot of votes that I'm sure I was voted before
Straight 10. Can't believe I never rated this before. Just a bit of loving up against all the hating ;)
I think there is a bug or something similar because I lost a lot of votes that I'm sure I was voted before
Straight 10. Can't believe I never rated this before. Just a bit of loving up against all the hating ;)
Dropping from 2 to 1
I know there are haters and I know that there is nothing more subjective than music, but in this particular instance, the haters are wrong.
This is simply as lovely as ever.
This is simply as lovely as ever.
the Smiths
Morrissey and Marr
two of the best ever
Morrissey and Marr
two of the best ever
Sure, Moz (as the Brits lovingly call him) is a total pill, and Johnny Marr, while having had a few flashes of brilliance post-Smiths, is a great guitarist who has never found as good a sparring partner as his old team mate. But when you sum total the singles and the first three LPs ('Strangeways' was the sound of a band falling apart) The Smiths were without peer for a few shining Eighties years. The verdict came in many years ago: There Is A Light That Never Goes Out is a master class in song craft.
Ah the Smiths. Love or hate .. Never any middle ground with Manchester's favorite (favourite?) sons! Count me in the love column.
one of my first entries in the not-really billboard kind of style pop music - still goose bumps. nice RP!
Any Smiths is PSD, for me, which for me is to let my iTunes shuffle me up something from my library. (Today i got 'Cold Day in the Sun' - Foo Fighters, just in case you were wondering!). Cheers
Amazing song! Way long ago put myself through college in the 80's, School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, and had a fantastic world opened before me. The Smiths were the soundtrack to levels of awareness that some people will never be ready for, or able (or willing) to experience
I repeat...
msymmes wrote:
msymmes wrote:
And if a double-decker bus crashes into us... or if a ten ton truck ...
PEOPLE ! Have a sense of humour !
PEOPLE ! Have a sense of humour !
Horrible, whiny, puling, maudlin drivel.
This is Morrissey's idea of courtship: "If a 10-ton bus, should kill the both of us, what a wonderful way to die" or somesuch nonsense. Get this git some Prozac (or the aforementioned bus.)
Ugh.
This is Morrissey's idea of courtship: "If a 10-ton bus, should kill the both of us, what a wonderful way to die" or somesuch nonsense. Get this git some Prozac (or the aforementioned bus.)
Ugh.
MrsTom wrote:
Plus 10
They were awful when I first had the misfortune to hear them in my youth. I can confirm that even through the dim lenses of nostalgia they are still sh*t. In my opinion of course.
Plus 10
Awful. Just awful.
PSD for me any/every time.
7.1 - such a low rating for such a masterpiece.
There's nothing lower than 1. Shame we can't use negatives.
gosh, does this song blow
Fantasic song and memories too
They were awful when I first had the misfortune to hear them in my youth. I can confirm that even through the dim lenses of nostalgia they are still sh*t. In my opinion of course.
Another awesome song selection. This station is incredible.
bad poetry springs from genuine feeling
And if a double-decker bus crashes into us... or if a ten ton truck ...
PEOPLE ! Have a sense of humour !
PEOPLE ! Have a sense of humour !
Similar era but if you swap Michael Stipe in the vocal, the music could easily be a REM track.
10 is simply not enough for this. Oh for one more piece of Mozza and Marr brilliance...
Amazes me how many listeners don't 'get' The Smiths here.
Love this. Especially following Talk Talk. Both take me right back to great places.
Love this. Especially following Talk Talk. Both take me right back to great places.
jmkate wrote:
lol, I am right with you. I was part of those days in Central Florida, a late night at the clubs and short road trip to New Smyrna Beach to watch the sun come up. Of course, now the only water I get to see is the Big Muddy Mississippi here in St Louis. Plus, for me, the kid has graduated college. I see quite a few who no longer care for this, but my associations with the Smiths are pleasant and enjoyable.
This is one of these songs that yanks me back to days of dark clubs full of angst and somewhat hazardous dancing. In Central Florida a local club night is still occasionally arranged for those of us who remember this music with appreciation. The dancing is still a bit dangerous, but there is more talk of babysitters, as opposed to angst...
lol, I am right with you. I was part of those days in Central Florida, a late night at the clubs and short road trip to New Smyrna Beach to watch the sun come up. Of course, now the only water I get to see is the Big Muddy Mississippi here in St Louis. Plus, for me, the kid has graduated college. I see quite a few who no longer care for this, but my associations with the Smiths are pleasant and enjoyable.
Tuneless droning by singer. PSD +1. Good musicians in the rest of the band though.
“Self indulgent, and plain annoying” and “It reads like a 12 yr old girl's diary entry.” "Awful, just dreadful" and “I won't even dignify its existence by explaining why”
I’m talking about the people posting not the song by the way!
Gosh, I never noticed how dumb these lyrics were, before.
And how this guy cannot sing on tune.
Ick.
And how this guy cannot sing on tune.
Ick.
joelbb wrote:
Agree.
Awful, just dreadful.
Agree.
Andrew_C wrote:
Do you intend to slit your wrists with a tranquilizer gun?
Arrghhh... Pass me the tranquilizer gun!
Music to slit your wrists to.
Music to slit your wrists to.
Do you intend to slit your wrists with a tranquilizer gun?
Need more Smiths on RP!
rating: PSD
I hate this song. I won't even dignify its existence by explaining why. All it gets is this comment. Period.
I mean it.
I mean it.
Self indulgent, and plain annoying. Though it does have a pleasant tune.
govna wrote:
It reads like a 12 yr old girl's diary entry.
It is.
It reads like a 12 yr old girl's diary entry.
It is.
This is one of these songs that yanks me back to days of dark clubs full of angst and somewhat hazardous dancing. In Central Florida a local club night is still occasionally arranged for those of us who remember this music with appreciation. The dancing is still a bit dangerous, but there is more talk of babysitters, as opposed to angst...
I agree completely - he should just end it and put us all out of his misery.
posworld wrote:
That made me laugh out loud.
So happy and light hearted!
That made me laugh out loud.
junebaby65 wrote:
It reads like a 12 yr old girl's diary entry.
These lyrics crack me up.
It reads like a 12 yr old girl's diary entry.
Awful, just dreadful.
(former member) wrote:
This is such a great classic... the whole album is fantastic...
This is such a great classic... the whole album is fantastic...
this sooniside junk is not good, kill yourself on someone else's time....
Arrghhh... Pass me the tranquilizer gun!
Music to slit your wrists to.
Music to slit your wrists to.
Yes, I remember those days with fondness.... the Smiths were a big part of my late teens, early twenties......1986.....sigh.....
hayduke2 wrote:
hayduke2 wrote:
'86, Perfect music for a twenty-something art pouf, the Smiths cassette in my walkman while walking through the mostly abandoned blocks of spaces in Soho, in a cold wet fall and checking young Gallery shows. The Gallery people all smoking and wearing indistinguishable fashions, many with the euro accent and an actual interest in their eyes when they speak to you. There is a light that never goes out
These lyrics crack me up.
Quite simply the best song ever made.
'86, Perfect music for a twenty-something art pouf, the Smiths cassette in my walkman while walking through the mostly abandoned blocks of spaces in Soho, in a cold wet fall and checking young Gallery shows. The Gallery people all smoking and wearing indistinguishable fashions, many with the euro accent and an actual interest in their eyes when they speak to you. There is a light that never goes out
sajitjacob wrote:
Agreed. I can tell there's a great song hiding somewhere behind the droning noise in the foreground.
I always thought that the Smiths lovely music and Morrissey's great lyrics were sadly let down by Morrissey's horrible voice which always makes me think that this is what the science teacher in the "wonder years" would sound like if he sang, or perhaps Mr Bean...
Agreed. I can tell there's a great song hiding somewhere behind the droning noise in the foreground.
horstman wrote:
Nice post :)
My son, who has pillaged my mp3 and CD collection as long as he can remember, came down from his lair tonight and proclaimed " Don't you think the Smiths are boring?". Well, Mr. Morrissey's voice is a droner I replied, but the guitars, when accompanied by said voice, can bring about moments of pure bliss. Upon which he retreated back upstairs for another analysis.
Time will tell.
Nice post :)
Indeed!!!!!
This is such a great classic... the whole album is fantastic...
This is such a great classic... the whole album is fantastic...
My son, who has pillaged my mp3 and CD collection as long as he can remember, came down from his lair tonight and proclaimed " Don't you think the Smiths are boring?". Well, Mr. Morrissey's voice is a droner I replied, but the guitars, when accompanied by said voice, can bring about moments of pure bliss. Upon which he retreated back upstairs for another analysis.
Time will tell.
I always thought that the Smiths lovely music and Morrissey's great lyrics were sadly let down by Morrissey's horrible voice which always makes me think that this is what the science teacher in the "wonder years" would sound like if he sang, or perhaps Mr Bean...
How many times in one song can you not quite sing the same note right?
appy_monkey wrote:
love it!!!
what about the 10 ton truck?
the pleasure, the privilege is mine.
what does that light do?
Somebody cue the double-decker bus, stat.
love it!!!
what about the 10 ton truck?
the pleasure, the privilege is mine.
what does that light do?
What a creeper.
So happy and light hearted!
kills the both of us...
Can't deny that only Morrissey can write such direct and unapologetic lyrics. Like the tune...love the version by Neil Finn and Seven Worlds Collide!
Can't deny that only Morrissey can write such direct and unapologetic lyrics. Like the tune...love the version by Neil Finn and Seven Worlds Collide!
I saw Morrissey last year live and although he looked great and can still sing beautifully... he's also still a jerk. 
All you naysayers have obviously never been to the depths...deep thinker that I am...I live his (then) life
madebytim wrote:
I did. With a ten ton truck.
The only thing these guys had going was Johnny Marr, imo.
How can anyone rate this masterpiece 1
I did. With a ten ton truck.
The only thing these guys had going was Johnny Marr, imo.
WOOW IS THIS BAD!
At the time this came out I was going out with a woman 13 years older and considerably better off that this skint student, who used to take me a lot of places in her car, so it rang some bells with me. I like the irony in the lyrics - for all that he's an awful tit, Morrissey is certainly a good songwriter.
Somebody cue the double-decker bus, stat.
Here's real romance for ya. 
BRILLIANT!!....even after all these years.
thank you
Cowboyslikeus wrote:
He must be a cowboy like you
Morrisey rides a cockhorse...
He must be a cowboy like you
makes me want to give up my career in pigs and do something worthwhile like selling ice cream
LOVE LOVE LOVE this song and everything by The Smiths.
fav song ever.
Morrisey rides a cockhorse...
adroc wrote:
SO WHAT? We don't have to sleep with him to enjoy his music.
johnjconn wrote:
Yes you do
It still wouldn't help,even a Jessica Alba- Stacy Kiebler sandwich wouldn't make it palatable.
SO WHAT? We don't have to sleep with him to enjoy his music.
johnjconn wrote:
Yes you do
It still wouldn't help,even a Jessica Alba- Stacy Kiebler sandwich wouldn't make it palatable.
I don't care for this song. I have heard tunes from The Smiths that are great but this .... NADA !
I should be able to voice my dislike for a song without being accused of gay bashing. There are song Queen
The Verve, Elton, Al Stewart Bowie, Ziggy Stardust Remy Zero ect. do, that I love and there are those that I think suck. So sue me !
Stingray wrote:
You are?
Well done for coming out on Radio Paradise young man.
SO GAY!
and soooo bad!
and soooo bad!
You are?
Well done for coming out on Radio Paradise young man.
madebytim wrote:
How can anyone rate this masterpiece 1
People are usually lovers or haters of The Smiths with few in the middle unmoved one way or the other.I must admit there is something about the loathing that many feel for The Smith that makes my love of them even more special. I know that this is perverse but it makes me feel superior that I ‘get it’ and they don’t.
Still a valid, true and beautiful song...
How can anyone rate this masterpiece 1