With a catalog as stellar as the Smiths, it's tough to state a particular song as being the band's best, but Simon Goddard, author of the 2003 book 'The Smiths: Songs That Saved Your Life,' wrote that "in a straw poll among Smiths fans today, 'There Is a Light That Never Goes Out' would more than likely still come out victorious." There have been a few bands brave enough to take a stab at the classic, including the Lucksmiths, the Magic Numbers, the Divine Comedy and Death Cab For Cutie. Of that lot, I can recommend the Divine Comedy's take. I believe only Neil Finn's live version -- taken from the 2001 album '7 Worlds Collide' -- is in the same league as the original song from the Smiths' 1986 album 'The Queen Is Dead.'This is as good a time as any to add the caveat that Finn had a lot of help with the song. So much so, in fact, it's almost cheating to call it a cover. You see, Johnny Marr, guitarist for the Smiths, performed with Finn during the show recorded at the St. James Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand. Other notable friends on stage for the song include Lisa Germano on violin and Phil Selway of Radiohead behind the kit. Here is the original song (ripped from my vinyl), as well as the only cover that has nailed it. Also, check out a couple of videos I dug up for the occasion. More on Mr. Finn next time. Enjoy.
The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (mp3)
Neil Finn - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (mp3)
More Cover Me Impressed:
Halloween Edition
"Porpoise Song"
"Prairie Rose"
"Come On Eileen"
"Walking On Thin Ice"
Jason Falkner Edition
"True Love Will Find You In The End"
"This Will Be Our Year"
"You're My Favorite Waste of Time"
"Nightime/Thirteen"
"The End Of The World"
"(Don't Go Back To)Rockville"
"God Only Knows"
"And Your Bird Can Sing"
"So Sad About Us"
"Everywhere"
"Walking The Cow"
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