In 2006, Arthur's song "In the Sun" was covered by Michael Stipe (of R.E.M.) and Coldplay singer Chris Martin. Released for a Hurricane Katrina Relief program, the EP includes six versions of the cover, one of which has Arthur himself singing with Stipe.
Arthur established his own record label, Lonely Astronaut Records, in 2006, and released two studio albums, Let's Just Be (2007) and Temporary People (2008) with backing band The Lonely Astronauts. Arthur subsequently returned to performing and recording as a solo artist, releasing The Graduation Ceremony in 2011 and the double album, Redemption City in 2012.
Arthur is also an acclaimed painter and designer. His artwork has graced the sleeves of his entire discography; the sleeve design for his 1999 album entitled Vacancy was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
Joseph Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where theres music and theres people
Who are young and alive
Driving in your car
I never, never want to go home
Because I havent got one anymore
Take me out tonight
Because I want to see people
And I want to see light
Driving in your car
Oh, please dont drop me home
Because its not my home, its their home
And Im 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
Oh, take me anywhere
I dont care, I dont care, I dont 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 couldnt ask
Take me out tonight
Oh, take me anywhere
I dont care, I dont care, I dont care
Driving in your car
I never, never want to go home
Because I havent got one
I havent got one
Oh, oh, oh, 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, so what
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine
Oh, there is a light, never goes out
There is a light, never goes out
The lyrics to Joseph Arthur's cover of The Smiths' "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," tell the story of a longing for escape and companionship. The singer yearns to be taken out of their current reality, marked by a lack of home and a sense of not belonging, to a place where there is light and life. This desire for escape is emphasized in the second verse with the line, "I never, never want to go home/Because I haven't got one anymore." The singer finds comfort in the idea of dying with the person they are singing to, even if it means being hit by a bus or a truck. The heavenly nature of this death is reinforced in the repeated line, "There is a light that never goes out."
The third verse describes a moment of anticipation as the singer and the person driving them are in a darkened underpass. The singer expresses fear and an inability to express their desires. The repetition of the chorus throughout the song emphasizes the intensity of the desire for connection and escape.
The lyrics of "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" have been interpreted as an expression of Morrissey's own feelings of isolation and desire for escape. In this cover, Joseph Arthur brings his own interpretation and emotions to the song, while still honoring the original message and intensity.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me out tonight
I want to go out tonight
Where theres music and theres people
I want to go where there are people and music
Who are young and alive
I want to be with people who are full of life and energy
Driving in your car
We are in your car
I never, never want to go home
I don't want to go home
Because I havent got one anymore
I don't have a home anymore
Because I want to see people
I want to see people
And I want to see light
I want to see bright lights
Oh, please dont drop me home
Please don't take me home
Because its not my home, its their home
I don't belong there, it's their home
And Im welcome no more
I am not welcome there anymore
And if a double-decker bus
If a double-decker bus
Crashes into us
Hits us
To die by your side
To die with you
Is such a heavenly way to die
It would be a great way to die
And if a ten-ton truck
If a ten-ton truck
Kills the both of us
Kills us both
Well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine
It would be my pleasure and privilege
Oh, take me anywhere
Take me anywhere
I dont care, I dont care, I dont care
I don't care where we go
And in the darkened underpass
In the dark underpass
I thought, oh God, my chance has come at last
I thought this might be my chance
But then a strange fear gripped me and I just couldnt ask
I was too afraid to ask
I havent got one
I don't have a home
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
And if a double-decker bus
If a double-decker bus
Crashes into us
Hits us
To die by your side
To die with you
Is such a heavenly way to die
It would be a great way to die
And if a ten-ton truck
If a ten-ton truck
Kills the both of us, so what
If both of us die, it doesn't matter
Oh, there is a light, never goes out
There is a light that never goes out
There is a light, never goes out
There is a light that never goes out
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
Azzy
Amazing cover. I don't think I've heard many songs reinterpreted this well.
Julia Wojcik
LOOOVE this one..has for years..thank you 💖
Nathan Taylor
It's a cover of The Smith's original. Morrissey still closes solo shows with it. The original is great too.
loi2121
Oh, wow. Another BRILLIANT song by JA
loi2121
Thanks for the clarification. Didn't know it was a cover. Love this though
Kristopher Medlin
@loi2121 Its a great cover but this isn't Joseph Arthur's song if thats what you ment
John Viet-Triet Nguyen
This song is not available anywhere!