What makes There Is a Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths notable?

The album has been critically acclaimed, often cited as one of the defining works of alternative rock, influencing countless bands within the indie and post-punk scenes. Its title track remains one of The Smiths' most enduring anthems, celebrated for its haunting lyrics and melodic richness. Released in 1992, 'There Is a Light That Never Goes Out' comes at a pivotal moment in The Smiths' career, following their breakup in 1987. This compilation album captures the essence of their influential sound while introducing live recordings that showcase their dynamic presence on stage.

How many songs are on There Is a Light That Never Goes Out?

There Is a Light That Never Goes Out has 4 tracks, running approximately 16 minutes.

There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

The Smiths · 1992

16 min · 4 tracks · indie rock

Melancholic melodies intertwine with sharp lyrics, delivering a poignant exploration of longing and existential despair.

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Top tracks — play these first

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There Is a Light That Never Goes Out — This iconic track encapsulates the band's signature blend of melancholy and romantic longing, showcasing Morrissey's lyrical prowess against a lush instrumental backdrop.
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Hand in Glove (live) — The live rendition of this early hit energizes the original's themes of love and desire, revealing the band's raw stage presence and chemistry.
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Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (live) — This performance highlights the band’s playful yet critical take on societal norms, with sharp wit embedded in Morrissey’s delivery that resonates with audiences.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The record captures The Smiths' signature sound while blending studio polish with live energy, reflecting their influence in indie rock.

What we noticed

The title track features a lush arrangement with layered guitars and orchestral strings, creating a rich sonic backdrop for the melancholic lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 There Is a Light That Never Goes Out 4:03
2 Hand in Glove (live) 2:46
3 Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (live) 5:02
4 Money Changes Everything 4:37

What to play next

Listen next

I Suffer

1993

Go back to

Live in Madrid

1991

Full The Smiths discography Where to start with The Smiths Artists like The Smiths

indie rock new wave post-punk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata