There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

About this song

The song was the second single from The Smiths' 1986 album The Queen Is Dead, and it was re-released as a single six years after the album came out. It topped John Peel's Festive Fifty poll on BBC Radio One in 1986 and reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. It has been referenced in the novel Trainspotting, the film (500) Days of Summer and the TV series Orange is the New Black, and it has been covered by artists including Noel Gallagher and Miley Cyrus.

What it's about

The song means different things to different listeners, with some hearing it as a depressive anthem and others as a hopeful expression of love. Its meaning is left open, giving each listener a personal connection to it.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 1 other song, like “worker automation is cool by comfort._ (LA)”.
• Covered 28 times, including “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out by Angie Hart”.
• Written and produced by Morrissey and Johnny Marr.
• Recorded at RAK Studios and Jacobs Studios.