THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

222-The Smiths-There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.

1. 1986-The song was not released as a single until 1992, when reaching Number 25.
2. 
   Best Bit-At 1.03. In the British television sitcom Gavin & Stacey, ‘Doris,’ the elderly actress played by the Welsh born Margaret John, (1926-2011) in a memorable scene at a barbecue entertains the gathering with a rendition of this song, making her in my opinion the coolest octogenarian in the world ever.
3. 
   The Smiths (see also best songs 673-167 and 42) were formed in Manchester, England, in 1982, by Steven Morrissey, (vocals) and Johnny Marr, (guitars and keyboards) who had first met in 1978 at a Patti Smith concert at Manchester’s Apollo Theatre, they were joined later on the same year by Andy Rourke, (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums.) The band were active through until 1987, with five other official members coming and going in that time period. It was Morrissey (see also best songs 940 and 72) who chose the bands name, saying,’it was the most ordinary name, and I thought it was time that the ordinary folk of the world showed their faces.’ The Smiths split in 1987 with Morrissey and Marr each taking 40% of The Smiths recording and performance royalties, with Joyce and Rourke each receiving 10%. Joyce and Rourke both thought that they were entitled to 25% each, and took their case to court, with Rourke who was in debt at the time settling for £83,000, and 10% of royalties, while Joyce continued with his action, eventually receiving around £1 million in back royalties, and 25% henceforth.
4. 
   ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’ was co-written by Morrissey (lyrics) and Johnny Marr, (music) with the pair also credited as the tracks producers. The song first appeared on The Smiths third studio Album ‘The Queen is Dead’ from 1986, but wasn’t released as a single until 1992, when it was chosen to promote the release of ‘Best 2,’ a compilation of some of the bands back catalogue, five years after they had parted ways.
5. 
   Once again the unique lyrics, and storytelling of Morrissey shine through, as he lays bare his innermost thoughts. In ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,’ Morrissey is the passenger in a car being driven by the person he loves and greatly admires. As the pair take their journey Morrissey begs the driver not to take him home, since he isn’t welcome at home anymore, which makes him feel depressed. He begs the driver to take him somewhere exciting, as Morrissey is so in love with the driver at that moment. He exclaims that even if a double-decker bus was to crash into them, and kill them, it would be a privilege to die at their side. It has long been speculated that Morrissey is gay, and maybe it was the revealing of this at home, which led to him not being welcome there anymore.
6. 
   Johnny Marr has revealed that he got the idea for the songs intro after hearing The Rolling Stones cover version of the song ‘Hitch Hike’ by Marvin Gaye, The Velvet Underground also pinched the The Stones intro for their 1967 song ‘There She Goes Again.’ Marr has said,’I didn’t realise that ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’ was going to be an anthem, but when we first played it I thought it was the best song I’d ever heard.’ He has also said,’Someone told me that if you listen with the volume really, really up you can hear me shout ‘That was amazing’ right at the end.’
7. 
   ‘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 ills the both of us, to die by your side, well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine.’