In The Smiths’ “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” the line “There is a light that never goes...” ends with “out.” The enduring image combines romance, danger, and a desire to escape an unhappy home life.
The song was written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr during The Smiths’ late-1985 recording sessions. It appeared on the band’s third album, The Queen Is Dead, in 1986, although it was not released as a UK single until 1992, five years after the group broke up. Marr created the synthesised string arrangement and later added a flute melody.
The song’s narrative has been linked to the 1955 James Dean film Rebel Without a Cause, while another reading focuses on Morrissey’s recurring outsider characters. Marr’s ascending chord sequence was influenced by the Rolling Stones’ version of Marvin Gaye’s “Hitch Hike.” The single reached No. 25 on the UK Singles Chart and became one of The Smiths’ most acclaimed songs.