29 Best Songs About Night
It's no wonder why there are so many songs about the night. The moon and stars are shining, people are dancing, and couples enjoy spending some quality time together after a long day. The following top songs about the night will remind you of its magic and allure.
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1 “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC
Song year: 1980
How could I write a list of the best songs about a night without including this AC/DC fan favorite? This is one of those songs that doesn't seem to age that people young and old can belt out and dance to.
It's pretty clear what this song is about when you hear the lyrics, but depending on your age when you first heard it, the words may have gone over your head.
2 “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest
Song year: 1973
If you're having a bad day, listen to this song to enjoy your night. This feel-good rock song about dancing in the shining moonlight may be a one-hit-wonder, but it's still popular today.
Many top films feature this happy song, and fans continue to insist that Marvel uses this song in Guardians of the Galaxy.
3 “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” by The Four Seasons
Song year: 1975
Another feel-good popular 70s song, “December 1963,” describes the feeling of a guy seeing a beautiful girl for the first time. Although the lyrics are innocent, the lead singer later admitted that the song is about losing your virginity.
The Four Seasons' pop/disco hit would hit #1 charts in 1976. People of all ages still know this song, even today.
4 “One More Night” by Maroon 5
Song year: 2012
This reggae-inspired pop melody by Maroon 5 expresses the push and pull you feel when your heart and mind disagree. On the one hand, you know the two of you never seem to get along, but on the other hand, you want them to stay just one more night.
Even though it wasn't Maroon 5's most popular song, it did reach #42 on the Billboard top 100 in 2012.
5 “Oh What A Night” by The Dells
Song year: 1959
“Oh, What A Night,” originally titled “Oh What A Nite,” was the first song recorded by The Dells. Some female friends threw a party in Dells' honor, inspiring him to write this song with his doo-wop group.
They would later refashion this song into a soul song in '69, causing it to reach #10 on the Billboard Top 100 and #1 Best Selling Soul Singles chart.
6 “Saturday Nights” by Kane Brown and Khalid
Song year: 2018
Khalid became wildly popular with his first album release in 2017, followed by this hit song in 2018. It's a dark song that shares the real-life troubles of a girl with a toxic mother, an absent father, and working at a job she hates to make ends meet.
The guy loves her so much, claiming he knows her better and loves her more than her family. Overall, the song describes scenes of what life looks like for her on Saturday nights.
7 “In the Night” by The Weeknd
Song year: 2015
The Weeknd seems to have a way to create unique songs that encompass deep meanings, singable lyrics, and a catchy beat. “In the Night” is a song with an upbeat sound that seems like a light-hearted song when you first listen to it.
Despite its cheerful tune, it's actually a story about abuse. It's about an exotic dancer who's numb, codependent, and struggling as an adult due to sexual abuse as a child.
8 “I Love a Rainy Night” by Eddie Rabbitt
Song year: 1980
There's something so calming about listening to heavy rainfall on a gloomy night. Nobody understands the love of rain like Eddie Rabbit, as proven in his song “I Love a Rainy Night.”
The song is all about the simple pleasure of listening to the rain and thunder, watching lightning, and feeling as if the rain washes worries away.
9 “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins
Song year: 1981
Many songs about the night would be a #1 hit for a band or an artist, and “In the Air Tonight” is one of them. In 2017, Phil Collins went on Jimmy Fallon to share the true meaning behind this famous song.
Despite theories that Collins watched a man drown, that isn't the case. Collins stated he struggled during and after his divorce from his wife when he wrote the dark and haunting song.
10 “Heartache Tonight” by The Eagles
Song year: 1979
“Heartache Tonight” is less about a devastating heartbreak and more about a good night with music, dancing, and (presumably) alcohol. Sometimes it seems like the night is too good and getting too wild for it not to end with someone hurt.
This upbeat rock song by The Eagles would reach the top of the charts after its release. Although it performed so well, the band members' lyrics and music seemed to flow as they created this masterpiece.
11 “Midnight City” by M83
Song year: 2011
“Midnight City” by M83 is a song that's unlike any other. The melody combines electronic dance music, alternative, and pop. It has minimal lyrics but describes waiting in the car in the dark.
Singer Anthony Gonzalez stated that this song is all about the simple feeling of enjoying a night's drive through a city with bright lights. It became a huge hit and made charts in multiple countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
12 “I Gotta Feelin'” by Black Eyed Peas
Song year: 2009
There are some nights when you just have a feeling that you're going to have an amazing night and can't wait to experience it. “I Gotta Feelin” is all about that joyful experience of going out and letting loose after a stressful day or week.
This party and dance song would be their top hit on their album, “The E.N.D.” When it first came out, it was somewhat of a college anthem for going out and partying after a week of school.
13 “D.J. Got Us Fallin in Love” by Usher
Song year: 2010
After a few drinks and a D.J. playing music in the club, who knows what will happen? According to Usher, you may even fall in love.
The hit R&B song shares the story of an overworked man who goes to the club to let loose, where he locks eyes with a girl. It doesn't seem as if he's truly falling in love, just enjoying his time with a pretty girl with nothing on his mind but her, music, and alcohol.
14 “Out Last Night” by Kenny Chesney
Song year: 2019
“Out Last Night” is essentially the country music version of the previous song by Usher. Kenny Chesney sings a song about going out, drinking too many beers, and hitting on beautiful women.
Unlike Usher's night, Chesney's night gets a little wilder, with one guy getting in a fight. It's a feel-good country song that's fun to sing and dance to.
15 “Sad Tonight” by Chelsea Cutler
Song year: 2020
Sometimes, you just need a night to feel sad and sit with your emotions rather than going out to distract yourself from them, which is the premise of this song.
Chelsea Cutler has a way of taking sad subjects and turning them into upbeat pop songs; “Sad Tonight” is a perfect example of this. The lyrics explain the feelings of turning down going out with her friends so she can stay in and feel sad instead.
16 “All Night” by Big Boi
Song year: 2017
Big Boi is an American rapper, but his song “All Night” has a poppy tune to it. The song is about wanting to spend all night with a girl he's really into. She's beautiful, funny, and smart, and he wants to treat her like a queen for the night.
Despite having a strong desire to see her, he also wants her to do what she wants to do. This upbeat song would be his highest-charting single.
17 “Sleepless Nights” by Ayokay
Song year: 2019
Nights with no sleep can either be one of the worst nights of your life or the best, depending on the scenario. While “Sleepless Nights” leans more toward the side of sleepless nights being fun, there's heartbreak behind the message.
This dance and electronic song expresses the feeling of missing the sleepless nights spent with the girl he loves. Even though he's no longer with her, the memories of them together are all he can think about at night.
18 “Last Friday Night” by Katy Perry
Song year: 2010
Everyone knows the feeling of wanting to let loose on a Friday after a long workweek. Dancing, drinking, and having a stress-free night out with your friends.
This pop/dance song is all about remembering a wild Friday night. The music video features Perry as a nerdy teenager who goes out and turns out to be the life of the party.
19 “Can't Fight the Moonlight” by Leann Rhymes
Song year: 2000
If you've seen Coyote Ugly, you probably know this song from the movie. This pop song was written and sung by Leann Rhymes for the movie.
This song is about the magical and romantic feelings that arise during nighttime. It's hard not to fall in love with someone between the moonlight and stars gently creating a glow in the dark.
20 “Underneath the Stars” by Mariah Carey
Song year: 1995
Mariah Carey and her collaborator wrote this summer love song, and she said it's her favorite song on the album. Sadly, it didn't seem as if her fans felt the same way about this single.
She sang this Daydream single during her world tour in 1996 and once again in 2020. However, due to its poor reception from the public, she has rarely sung it over the years.
21 “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” by Cutting Crew
Song year: 1986
This wildly popular song by the Cutting Crew would be their biggest hit and make charts in several countries, including the United States. Lead singer Nick Van Eede wrote and recorded it within three days despite its popularity.
Eede wrote this song based on a real relationship he had. After a year apart, he and his girlfriend spent the night together, which evoked confusing feelings. On the one hand, he felt a spark, but on the other hand, he questioned if it was a mistake.
22 “Take Me Home Tonight” by Eddie Money
Song year: 1986
Another popular 80s rock song, “Take Me Home Tonight,” is based on a hit song in the 60s, “Be My Baby” by the Ronnettes. There are parts of the song where you hear him sing “be my little baby” as a reference.
This song is about a guy lusting for a girl, hoping she'll take him home with her. Not only does he wish for this, but he's also doing his very best to convince her.
23 “Save Tonight” by Eagle-Eye Cherry
Song year: 1998
“Save Tonight” is a song about a relationship where the narrator wants to enjoy quality time with their partner before he goes away. Basically, it's about making the most of a night before going out of town and not knowing when you'll see your lover next.
Eagle-Eye Cherry stated to CNN that the song is essentially the feeling of not wanting the night to end. Because of his success, this song has personal meaning as he's had to say his final goodbyes to a few girlfriends.
24 “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John
Song year: 1994
I'll bet you sang that title in your head, didn't you? Whether you were a child when Lion King came out or watched it with your own children, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” will immediately bring you back to that Disney movie.
This feel-good song is one of Elton John's biggest hits. At the time, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” hit #4 on Billboard Hot 100 and is still well-known today. The song is about two people (or lions) who are in love.
25 “I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith
Song year: 1998
Oddly enough, this hit by Aerosmith was meant to be a song for a diva like Celine Dion. Diane Warren, who wrote the song, wanted to create lyrics about treasuring the moments spent with loved ones.
Warren felt inspired to write “I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing” after hearing James Brolin say he missed his wife, Barbra Streisand, even while she was asleep at night.
26 “Wild Night” by Van Morrison
Song year: 1971
“Wild Night” is one of Van Morrison's most well-known songs, which hit #1 on the Canadian radio airplay chart. This rock song describes the excitement you feel going out on the town for a wild night.
John Mellencamp and Meshell Ndegeocello recorded a new version of the hit in 1994, which would make it to #3 on the Billboard Top 100.
27 “Heat of the Night” by Coleman Hell
Song year: 2014
This pop and electric dance song is about the feelings you get in the night's heat. His lyrics imply that both he and the girl have feelings for each other and want it to be known.
“Heat of the Night” is one of their most popular hits, with the most played song being “2 Heads.”
28 “Night Fever” Bee Gees
Song year: 1977
The manager of The Bee Gees, Robert Stigwood, was producing a movie with a New York disco scene theme. In the beginning, the title was going to be “Saturday Night,” and asked The Bee Gees to create a song with the same name.
The group had already written a song titled “Night Fever” and convinced Stigwood to adjust the movie's title to be “Saturday Night Fever.” It became a classic film, which helped launch John Travolta's movie career.
29 “When the Night is Over” by Lord Huron
Song year: 2018
Lord Huron is famous to his fans for creating unique music in the alternative/indie genre. In his song, “When the Night is Over,” he sings about searching for a girl he once loved.
The thought that he may never find her again haunts him, but he's only got to find them until the end of the night.
Top Songs About Night, Final Thoughts
Something about the night gives it a magical, fun, and even romantic feeling that you don't get during the day. Most songs about night are either about an exciting night of partying, romantic relationships or simply enjoying that nighttime feel. No matter your thoughts on the matter, you're bound to find a song about night that resonates with you.