Favorite "Night" Songs #6 - "Because the Night"
@teamfreak16 (43418)
Denver, Colorado
July 30, 2017 11:48am CST
There's an interesting story behind #6 in my Favorite "Night" Songs series, which is basically songs with "night" in the title. The sixth spot in this countdown belongs to "Because the Night" by the Patti Smith Group.
Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith are listed as co-writers of "Because the Night," yet there was no collaboration between the two. Springsteen had recorded the song during sessions for his Darkness on the Edge of Town album, but didn't like it. The Patti Smith Group was recording their album, Easter, next door. Producer/engineer Jimmy Iovine, who was working on both albums, gave Smith a copy of the song. Smith reworked the lyrics and recorded it for Easter. Springsteen performs it live using his own lyrics. However, the version on his compilation album, The Promise, uses Springsteen's original music, but with Smith's lyrics.
Smith's version stalled at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100, but is certified gold in Italy and silver in the UK .
"Because the Night" has been covered numerous times, notably by 10,000 Maniacs, Garbage with Screaming Females, Sonic Youth, and Kim Wilde.
This is about as radio friendly as Smith could get. It pretty much sounds like Springsteen, only with Patti Smith on vocals. All I know is that it was one non-collaboration that worked out pretty good.
(Info verified by Wikipedia)
Take me now baby here as I am Hold me close, try and understand Desire is hunger is the fire I breathe Love is a banquet on which we feed Come on now try and...
9 people like this
7 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
30 Jul 17
Dear Patti..love her.
And this song is so her.
And this song is so her.3 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Jul 17
It's definitely one of her best. Such a great lyricist.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (36031)
•
31 Jul 17
Who knew a throwaway Bruce song would be a hit for someone else. Of course he did the same thing for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. Very generous guy the "Boss."
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
31 Jul 17
It's like when Prince wrote "Manic Monday" and sent it to The Bangles.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (36031)
•
31 Jul 17
@teamfreak16 I didn't know that. I think it probably was a wise move on Prince's part
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Jul 17
She is awesome. She wrote a few songs with Blue Oyster Cult as well.
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
30 Jul 17
When Springsteen was first played in the UK, accompanied by all the 'Future of Rock and Roll' hype, I couldn't stand 'Born To Run (and still can't). The single wasn't a hit but its parent album did well. He didn't actually have a British hit single until 'The River' but in the intervening years I found that I at least liked his songs when sung by other people: 'Sandy' by the Hollies (great but only a radio hit), 'Fire' by the Pointer Sisters (top 40) and this one (top 5, if I remember).
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Jul 17
Don't forget Frankie Goes to Hollywood's cover of "Born to Run!"
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118125)
• Anniston, Alabama
30 Jul 17
Oh I love this song, I did not know Bruce did this one too.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Jul 17
This was Patti's one hit. I had it on 45.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Jul 17
I had Easter on cassette. A really good album.
1 person likes this
