The definitive book about The Smiths, one of the most beloved, respected, and storied indie rock bands in music history. They were, their fans believe, the best band in the world. Hailing from Manchester, England, The Smiths--Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke, and Mike Joyce--were critical and popular favorites throughout their mid-1980s heyday and beyond. To this day, due to their unforgettable songs and lyrics, they are considered one of the greatest British rock groups of all time--up there with the Beatles, the Stones, the Who, and the Clash. Tony Fletcher paints a vivid portrait of the fascinating personalities within the group: Morrissey, the witty, literate lead singer whose loner personality and complex lyrics made him an icon for teenagers who felt forlorn and forgotten; his songwriting partner Marr, the gregarious guitarist who became a rock god for a generation of indie kids; and the talented, good-looking rhythm section duo of bassist Rourke and drummer Joyce. Despite the band's tragic breakup at the height of their success, A Light That Never Goes Out is a celebration: the saga of four working-class kids from a northern English city who come together despite contrasting personalities, find a musical bond, inspire a fanatical following, and leave a legacy that changed the music world--and the lives of their fans.

Contains songs recorded by The Smiths specially arranged in the original keys. In this songbook, each song includes chord symbols, guitar chord boxes, and complete lyrics.

The Smiths are one of the most important bands to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s. All four of their studio albums reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart, including Meat Is Murder which hit number one.

To their fans the Smiths were much more than just another English rock band. The Smiths supplied the soundtrack to their lives. This book is full of stories about Smiths songs and the people to whom they meant so much. These stories are often moving, poignant, funny or sad, and will have you eagerly searching out Smiths albums.

- The Smiths - Songs That Saved Your Life is now re-issued in a revised and expanded form, to include the fruits of Simon Goddard's most recent research, undertaken since the publication of the first edition in 2002. The new material for this edition includes: - Interview with guitarist Craig Gannon - Interview with John Peel - Interview with producer John Porter - Previously unpublished stills of the band

"Tales of The Smiths was originally serialised as a daily comic strip on the website of www.SoComic.gr "--Title page verso.