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There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
The Smiths Lyrics


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Take me out tonight
Where there's music and there's people
And they're 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 life
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, la-di-dum
Oh, I haven't got one
Oh, oh

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

Oh, there is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out

Overall Meaning

The Smiths' song, "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," is a testament to the power of love and the all-encompassing feeling of wanting to be with someone no matter what the consequence. The opening lines illustrate the singer's desire to escape their lonely existence and find companionship among other people who are "young and alive." Their longing for togetherness stems from not having a home of their own anymore – an underlying theme of isolation that permeates the song.


The refrain "To die by your side" is somewhat contradictory in that it's a statement of devotion to another person, yet it deals with the idea of dying. The singer, however, would rather die with someone they love than to live without them. The line "the pleasure, the privilege is mine" is a testament to the joy that being with someone who understands and shares your feelings can bring.


The bridge of the song, which takes place in a "darkened underpass," reveals the singer's hesitancy to ask their lover to be with them. This fear illustrates a real struggle that many people face when it comes to expressing their feelings to someone they care for. Despite this, the singer maintains their desire to be with their lover, and the chorus's repetition of "there is a light that never goes out" is a beacon of hope against life's many uncertainties, providing comfort and security.


Line by Line Meaning

Take me out tonight
I want to go out and experience life


Where there's music and there's people
I want to be where there is a lively atmosphere


And they're young and alive
I want to be around people who are full of life


Driving in your car
I want to go on an adventure with you


I never, never want to go home
I don't want to go back to my lonely life


Because I haven't got one
I don't have a home or a place to belong


Anymore
I'm lost and lonely


Oh, please don't drop me home
I don't want to go back to my empty house


Because it's not my home, it's their home
I feel like a stranger in my own home


And I'm welcome no more
No one welcomes me back home anymore


And if a double-decker bus
If something tragic were to happen


Crashes into us
And we were together


To die by your side
It would be a comforting and peaceful way to die


Is such a heavenly way to die
It would be a beautiful way to pass on


And if a ten ton truck
If we were to meet an unfortunate end


Kills the both of us
Together, in each other's company


Well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine
It would be an honor to die with you


Take me anywhere, I don't care
As long as I'm with you, I'm content with wherever we go


And in the darkened underpass
When we're alone in a secluded area


I thought, 'Oh God, my chance has come at last'
I thought that this could be the moment we finally get closer


But then a strange fear gripped me
But my anxiety and fear took over


And I just couldn't ask
And I couldn't bring myself to express my feelings


Oh, there is a light and it never goes out
There's a flicker of hope and love that will never fade away


There is a light and it never goes out
This feeling of hope and love never dies


There is a light and it never goes out
No matter how lost or lonely I feel, this light is always shining


There is a light and it never goes out
Hope and love will always be there, no matter what


There is a light and it never goes out
It's a feeling that never fades


There is a light and it never goes out
This light of hope and love will never diminish


There is a light and it never goes out
It's a reminder that there's always something to hold onto


There is a light and it never goes out
Love can never truly die




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Integrity Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steven Morrissey, Johnny Marr

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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