Morrissey's wit and Marr's chiming guitars at their combined peak, swinging from biting satire to aching tenderness. Widely held to be their masterpiece and a cornerstone of British indie. Funny, sad and gorgeous. Released in 1986, it's a key entry in The Smiths's run.
On vinyl: Vintage copies and modern reissues both circulate — worth comparing condition and remaster notes before you buy.
Vinyl and CD links go to Amazon search results; listening links open Amazon Music. New to Amazon Music? Start a free trial → As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases and sign-ups.
- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out on Best Songs of the 1980s, Best Indie & Alternative Songs of All Time
We don't reproduce full tracklists — only the songs from this record we've featured in our best-of lists.
More from The Smiths — where to go next
If you have The Queen Is Dead, these are the The Smiths records worth reaching for next.
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1
The Queen Is Dead1986 · you're viewing this oneStart here
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2
The Smiths1984 · Punk & New WaveClassic
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3
Strangeways, Here We Come1987 · Punk & New WaveClassic
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4
Meat Is Murder1985 · Punk & New WaveDeep cut