I regard myself as something of a 'in the know' Morrissey/Smiths fan... and never knew that. I really know nothing - how exciting!

How informative. What a terrific christmas present.

I want it! :(

i find that very interesting because i never knew that and i still always thought of the light as being in somebodys eyes. i get certain images in my mind when i listen to a song and when i hear "there is a light" i imagine im looking into somebodys eyes and i can see a light or something... oh whatever... merry xmas and happy new year.

That shed a lot of light that will finally get out there ;^)

how do i get my hands on this book?

I ordered it from Amazon, should arrive after Xmas - it is in absolutely no bookshops.

- Fallon

What an absolutely wonderful interview. One of the most insightful and enjoyable Smiths discussions I have witnessed in quite some time.

Goddard's insight is truly interesting, and I agree with much of his assessment of The Smiths' legacy, and the role of the band.

I believe that this book can be purchased through Amazon.com UK, but is still unpublished in the U.S.

I definitely have to get my hands on it.

Great stuff. BUT...

Is this chap saying he thought TIALTNGO was literally about a light which never went out??! I rather thought everyone would take it to mean something more poetic than that. I doubt it would be such a fan favourite if people thought it was about long-lasting lightbulbs.

But anyway - fine work Mr Goddard!

Simon Goddard's book is a great collection of rare recordings details, trivia and anecdotes, BUT his own descriptions of the music are occasionally hilariously bad. See what Dickon Edwards writes in his blog:

http://www.livejournal.com/talkread.bml?journal=dickon_edwards&itemid=20968

this is interesting information, but i sincerely wish that someone less obnoxious had the interest to compile it. i'd love to read more but i don't think i could handle an entire book written by someone who uses "pretty shit" as a complimentary term (several times, too.).

ordinarily it seems self righteous and a bit pathetic to critique the musical tastes of others, but his comparisons to the smiths are insulting. i really don't see any likeness between the smiths and nirvana, to compare their first record to the strokes is downright cruel, and am i the only one who is sick of hearing about oasis?

the obvious animosity towards morrissey is funny, though.

when will it be published in the u.s.? amazon.com just says "not yet published", but lets you order it.

In Fresno they started the show with "There is a light..." and Morrissey actually sings the line.

This book is about songs written by Morrissey & Marr. They don't colaborate at all. How good can it be then? Not as good as it sholud be.

Rourke and Joyce were excellent musicians and of course they knew how to match after a non stop playing, recording and touring. But their insight on the songs will always be limited. It was M & M who ruled.

I don't want anyone to explain me what There's A Light or I Won't Share you are about. I WON?T BUY IT.

Manuel

To everyone having doubts about the Goddard-book, please don't! This is a truly insightful book and absolutely unmissable (is that a word?) to true Moz/Smiths fans.
Far more insightful than Johnny Rogan's books, concerning the songs anyway. This book is an absolute goldmine!

I was indeed lucky enough to recieve STSYL for christmas and its a truly fascinating read. Its full of brilliant bits of information just like the one highlighted.

One the subject of "There Is A Light...", i always did think of the light as being love for somebody, and the love will never die.

I strongly recommend the book to all music lovers, as it gives an excellent insight as to how the songs that saved your life were created.

Well you can't please all the people all the time but I'd agree with the majority here who give STSYL a big thumbs-up.

There's info in there that's never been revealed before - lost lyrics, recording info, technical stuff, some REAL trivia - a lot of the anecdotes are quite funny and even if he gets a bit carried away (surely nobody can like "Death Of A Disco Dancer" THAT much?) Goddard obviously loves the Smiths to pieces and his passion validates that of the reader. Better a book like this be written by a proper fan, which he obviously is, than some cynical journo on the make. And it sounds like those people who are slagging it off are just a bit pissed off that they never knew all this stuff until now.

I would love to read this book. I didn't even know that the first smiths record had been produced by someone else and I take it sounds radically different from the version we've always heard. It would be awesome if Warner Bros. would release them in a 2CD package. I was wondering also if anyone connected to this site has any info on where to send Morrissey mail? I'd love to send him a xmas card. I know so many people have said this but I love him, there's no one else like the MOZ on this ridiculous planet.

NYC Rocker

I always, when I hear "There is a Light...." read that repeating line towards the end as some sort of ecstatic, religious-like vision, being that there's death involved in the lyrics, that's how associate that line, I never thought or to this day think it means a light in a window like some people having been posting.

I'm quite surprised that nobody has come up with this so far - but I think one of the subtle meanings of a "light that never goes out" is a religious one.

In Catholic tradition, a candle is placed on the grave of a beloved one on All Saints or All Souls Day. This candle is supposed to "never go out" and thus symbolize the entering of the soul into eternity. Given Moz's Irish background I am pretty sure he was aware of this symbolism and used it deliberately in this song.

Surely the "light" in a metaphorical sense such as the light in someone's eyes (as refered to in the original version) or the light of love are also meanings that Morrissey wanted to put into this line. But given that the line comes up only at the very end of the song, when the morbid phantasies of the singer have become apparent, I believe the interpretation above also comes into play...

Well, these are my two Euro-Cents....

...And it is an absolutely astonishing read. I followed The Smiths from start to finish and have always despaired at the anal nonsense that's sprung up around the band's legend, but this book is the real thing. Reading about tracks like "A Matter of Opinion" and the several unreleased instrumentals is fascinating stuff. Has anyone here actually heard "Matter of Opinion"?...or the bossa nova version of "Golden Lights"?...or "I Want a Boy For My Birthday"? Anyway, get this book. You won't be able to put it down. (No mention of The Smiths recording Elvis's "A Fool Such As I" though. Surely whoever first said they recorded it wasn't telling porkies?!)

Andreas Stavros