Because the Night

"Because the Night"
Artwork for U.S. and some European releases
Single by Patti Smith Group
from the album Easter
B-side "God Speed"
Released March 2, 1978 (1978-03-02)
Format 7-inch 45 rpm
Recorded 1977
Studio Record Plant, New York City
Length 3:22
Label Arista
Songwriter(s) Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith
Producer(s) Jimmy Iovine
Patti Smith singles chronology
"Ask the Angels"
(1977) Ask the Angels1977		 "Because the Night"
(1978) Because the Night1978		 "Privilege (Set Me Free)"
(1978) Privilege (Set Me Free)1978
Audio sample
  • file
  • help

"Because the Night" is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith that was first released in 1978 as a single off the Patti Smith Group album Easter. This version rose to number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as number 5 in the United Kingdom, and helped propel sales of Easter to mainstream success — even as Smith was deciding to retire from a life of constant touring.

The song has subsequently been covered by numerous other artists, and at least two of these cover versions have been substantial chart hits. A 1992 version of the song by Co.Ro was a hit in several countries in Europe and South America, and reached number 1 in Spain. The following year, a live acoustic version was recorded by 10,000 Maniacs for MTV Unplugged. This recording reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest charting version of the song in the US.

In 1987, the song was ranked number 116 on NME magazine's list of "The Top 150 Singles of All Time".[1] It remains the best-known song of Smith's catalog.

History

The song was originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen during sessions for his Darkness on the Edge of Town album. He was not satisfied with the song and later declared he already knew he wasn't going to finish it since it was "a[nother] love song";[2] the Patti Smith Group was working on Easter in the studio next door, with engineer/producer Jimmy Iovine working on both albums. Iovine gave Smith a tape of the song, she recast it,[3] and it was included on Easter, becoming the first single released from that album.[4]

Though it was never released on any of Springsteen's studio albums, in concert beginning with his Darkness Tour Springsteen would often perform the song with his own lyrics. The song was first performed live at a Patti Smith concert at the CBGB's Theater in New York City on December 30, 1977 (Patti's 31st birthday) with Springsteen joining on vocals and guitar.[5] The only two commercially released recordings of a Springsteen version of the song were in the 1986 box set Live/1975–85, where Smith was listed as co-writer; and the 2010 compilation album The Promise (using the original recording from the Darkness on the Edge of Town sessions, but using Smith's lyrics).

Charts and certifications

Co.Ro version

"Because the Night"
Artwork for German releases; the Canadian CD single uses the similar artwork but uses different colors and font
Single by Co.Ro featuring Taleesa
from the album The Album
B-side "It's a Love"
Released 1992
Format CD single, CD maxi
Genre
Length 4:32
Label ZYX
Songwriter(s) Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith
Co.Ro featuring Taleesa singles chronology
"Because the Night"
(1992)		 "There's Something Going On"
(1993)

In 1992, the Italian dance act Co.Ro released a version that sold over 660,000 copies. It also samples the Depeche Mode song "Master and Servant". It was a hit in Europe, becoming gold record in France and reaching number one in Spain. In Brazil, it was huge a success, and became a big opening of a Eurodance explosion in the 1990s.

Track listing
CD single – Europe (1992)
  1. "Because the Night" (T.L.S. Radio Mix) – 4:32
  2. "Because the Night" (T.L.S. Mix) – 5:20
  3. "It's a Love" (T.S.F. Mix) – 3:40
  4. "Because the Night" (Dub Mix) – 5:20
Chart performance
Chart (1992) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[22] 14
Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[23] 8
France (SNEP)[24] 6
Germany (Official German Charts)[25] 16
Ireland (IRMA)[26] 21
Spain (AFYVE) 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] 26
UK (The Official Charts Company)[28] 61

10,000 Maniacs version

"Because the Night"
Single by 10,000 Maniacs
from the album MTV Unplugged
B-side "Stockton Gala Days"
Released October 28, 1993 (1993-10-28)
Format CD, cassette
Recorded April 21, 1993
Studio Sony Music
Genre Alternative rock
Length 3:44
Label Elektra, MTV Networks
Songwriter(s) Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith
Producer(s) Paul Fox
10,000 Maniacs singles chronology
"Everyday Is Like Sunday"
(1993)		 "Because the Night"
(1993)		 "More Than This"
(1997)
Audio sample
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  • help

A well-known acoustic version was recorded by 10,000 Maniacs in 1993 for MTV Unplugged, with a few lyrical alterations. The recording gained considerable radio airplay and reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. A live version with lead vocalist Mary Ramsey was also included on their 2016 album Playing Favorites.

Track listing
CD single – US (1993)
  1. "Because the Night" (Live version) – 3:28
  2. "Stockton Gala Days" (Live version) – 5:25
Chart performance

Cascada version

"Because the Night"
Single by Cascada
from the album Perfect Day
Released July 18, 2008 (2008-07-18)
Format CD, CD maxi
Recorded 2008
Genre Eurodance, Dance-Pop
Length 3:25
Label Zooland
Songwriter(s) Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith
Producer(s) Yann Pfeiffer, DJ Manian
Cascada singles chronology
"What Do You Want from Me?"
(2008)		 "Because the Night"
(2008)		 "Faded"
(2008)

In 2008, Cascada recorded a version which appears on their second album Perfect Day. The music video for the single premiered on YouTube on May 28, 2008. The single was released on July 18, 2008 in Germany, July 21, 2008 in France and August 4, 2008 in the UK.

Track listing

CD single – Germany (2008)
  1. "Because the Night" – 3:26
  2. "Because the Night" (Original Mix) – 5:32
  3. "Because the Night" (Mondo Remix) – 5:58
  4. "Because the Night" (2-4 Grooves remix) – 5:45
  5. "Because the Night" (The Hitmen remix) – 5:49
  6. "Because the Night" (Manian Bootleg Cut) – 5:04
  7. "Because the Night" (Manox remix) – 6:19

Chart performance

Chart (2008) Peak
Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[34] 45
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[35] 90
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[36] 53
Germany (Official German Charts)[37] 41
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[38] 5
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[39] 56
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[40] 28

Release history

CountryRelease DateRecord Label
GermanyJuly 18, 2008Zooland
United KingdomJuly 28, 2008Zooland

Garbage and Screaming Females version

"Because the Night"
Single by Garbage and Screaming Females
B-side "Love Like Suicide"
Released April 20, 2013 (2013-04-20)
Format 10-inch single, digital download
Recorded 2013
Studio EastWest Studio 1, Los Angeles
Genre Alternative rock
Length 4:55
Label STUNVOLUME
Songwriter(s) Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith
Producer(s) Garbage and Screaming Females
Garbage singles chronology
"Automatic Systematic Habit"
(2012)		 "Because the Night"
(2013)		 "Girls Talk"
(2014)
Music video
"Because the Night" on YouTube

In early 2013, Garbage and Screaming Females recorded a cover of "Because the Night" for an exclusive vinyl release on that year's Record Store Day;[41] an annual celebration of independent record stores.[42] Garbage had released two singles ("Blood for Poppies"[43] and "Battle in Me"[44]) to mark the 2012 event, and were keen to release "something special" for the following year. The band decided to record "Because the Night" with Screaming Females following some well-received duets of the track at live dates during their North American tour. Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females originally suggested covering "Because the Night" live.[45] "We thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to solidify a recording and do something really special for the fans and for all the independent record stores," Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson told Billboard.[45]

Screaming Females flew from their base in New Jersey to Los Angeles to record the track with Garbage,[46] who had set up two complete sets of instruments in EastWest Studios for the session.[47] Garbage drummer Butch Vig told NME: "We did it old-school style. They came out to Hollywood and we went into a big tracking room and recorded Phil Spector style... We cut it live and did very few overdubs, did everything in a day and it came out pretty great. Marissa plays, I think, a 48-bar guitar solo at the end, that girl can shred like Eddie Van Halen, no kidding."[48]

Garbage used social media to raise awareness of the release, and to Record Store Day in general. The band shot a video where they professed their love for independent stores, and stated their earliest memories of shopping in them, while Manson wrote a statement about the importance of the continued existence of these stores, and of vinyl records: "In a world like ours, where we live increasingly isolated lives behind the lonely glow of our computer screens, Record Store Day reminds us all that an independent record store is worth protecting and fighting for. They are a haven and a harbour for all curious and wandering souls".[49] Manson also tipped her hat to Patti Smith in the run-up to RSD 2013: "She is absolutely, without a doubt, one of my greatest inspirations. When I think I can't do things, I think about her and what she's achieved and what she continues to achieve on her own terms—always. That really inspires me. I don't know if she's aware of the cover we're releasing, or if she's aware that I covered "Kimberly" with Angelfish."[50]

"Because the Night" was pressed to a "Coke bottle-green" 10" vinyl and backed with "Love Like Suicide" and a fan remix of the album's opening track "Automatic Systematic Habit". An original Garbage song, "Love Like Suicide" had been previously released as bonus track exclusive to the Japan pressing of Not Your Kind of People.[51] Manson explained the songs inclusion to MySpace: "We're releasing it now because we wanted to give a nice gift for the fans."[50] The remix of "Automatic..." was produced by Garbage fan Konstantin Khazev and won first prize in an amateur remix competition held through the Beatport website in 2012.[52] The RSD package was limited to 5,000 units, with the sleeve artwork created by Marissa Paternoster.[53]

The release of "Because the Night" in the United Kingdom was delayed due to problems with the record's distributor. The band made a statement via social media the evening before Record Store Day: "We are so pissed off and disappointed about this. And so sad that on Record Store Day in the UK our little jewel will not be available for sale". The UK release of "Because the Night" was rescheduled to May 13, 2013.[54] The single debuted at number 100 on the Physical Singles chart,[55] before shooting up to number 4 the following week.[56]

On May 7, 2013, Garbage issued a digital single of "Because the Night" in the United States,[57] which was followed a week later by an international digital release.[58]

Music video

While Garbage and Screaming Females recorded at EastWest Studios, Sophie Muller shot black and white footage to document the sessions. On March 4, 2013, a teaser video was released to YouTube featuring clips of the band members.[59] The full music video was subsequently released on April 17; ahead of Record Store Day.[60]

Critical reception

The cover version of "Because the Night" was positively received by contemporary music critics in advance of Record Store Day. Billboard magazine's Hilary Hughes stated, "...the Garbage/Screaming Females release embodies the shifts brought on by Record Store Day that impact the music industry across the board-and the shaping trends that have fueled Record Store Day's meteoric rise from a community experiment to an international movement," referencing the pairing of artists and the independent label of release.[45] Chris Martins of Spin wrote, "...the bands gel awesomely. The highlight comes when Paternoster starts to shred. We have a feeling Miss Smith will be proud."[60]

Track listing
  • 10" Record Store Day release (STNVOL-007)[53]
  1. "Because the Night" – 4:55
  2. "Automatic Systematic Habit" (Costa Cadeu remix) – 4:38
  3. "Love Like Suicide" – 3:51
  1. "Because the Night" – 4:55
Release history
Release date Territory Record label Format
April 20, 2013 United States STUNVOLUME 10" vinyl (Record Store Day release)[51]
May 7, 2013 Digital single[57]
May 13, 2013 United Kingdom 10" vinyl[54]
Worldwide Digital single[58]
Chart (2013) Peak
position
UK Physical Singles (The Official Charts Company)[55] 4[56]
USA Hot Single Sales (Billboard) 23

Other cover versions

  • Italian singer Anna Oxa recorded an Italian version as "Notti per due" (Nights for two) with lyrics by Paolo Amerigo Cassella for her second album, entitled simply Anna Oxa, released in 1979.
  • Mike Scott and the Waterboys used the song's intro whenever they performed the song "The Pan Within" live in concert since 1985.
  • In 1986, heavy metal band Keel did a version of the song on their album The Final Frontier.
  • In 1994, the experimental alternative band Sonic Youth drastically reworked the song for the first track, "Becuz", from their album Washing Machine.
  • A version by punk singer Beki Bondage appeared on the 1997 compilation album Barefoot – A Tribute to Patti Smith.[61]
  • In 1998, Kim Wilde released a cover of the song, which appears on the Germany-only various artists release Philharmania.
  • The Spanish rock band Tahúres Zurdos included a cover titled La noches es.., with Spanish lyrics, on their album El tiempo de la luz, released on 2000.
  • A version of the song appears on Jun Togawa's album 20th Jun Togawa, released in 2000.
  • German DJ Jan Wayne released a dance version in 2002 that reached number 14 in the UK[62] and number 2 on the Belgian[63] and Dutch[64] charts.
  • R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe performed the song with Springsteen at a Vote for Change tour performance in 2004.
  • In 2007, the Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall collaborated with an all-star cast of Cuban musicians of the Buena Vista Social Club. Their version of the song was released with the album Rhythms del Mundo Classics on July 31, 2009.
  • Included in the 2008 album Second Rose by Domina Noctis
  • U2 performed the song with both Smith and Springsteen at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert on October 29, 2009.
  • In 2010, Springsteen performed the song on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, accompanied by bandmates Steven Van Zandt, Roy Bittan and The Roots.[65]
  • In 2011, Veronica Maggio performed the song live at the Polar Music Prize ceremony.
  • A duet version using lyrics from the Smith and Springsteen versions is included on The Protomen's 2015 album, The Cover Up.

References

  1. ↑ "Best of All-time Lists". Acclaimed Music. Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  2. ↑ Springsteen Song by Song: A Critical Look. Clinton Heylin, Viking Books, 2012. ISBN 978-1-101-62603-0
  3. ↑ The Album: A Guide to Pop Music's Most Provocative, Influential, and Important Creations, Volume 1. James E. Perone, Praeger, 2012, p. 146. ISBN 978-0-313-37906-2
  4. ↑ Love Goes To Buildings On Fire. Five Years in New York That Changed Music Forever. Will Hermes, Faber & Faber, 2011, p. 267. ISBN 978-0-374-53354-0
  5. ↑ Love Goes To Buildings On Fire. Five Years in New York That Changed Music Forever. Will Hermes, Faber & Faber, 2011, p. 280. ISBN 978-0-374-53354-0
  6. ↑ "Billboard chart – Patti Smith Group". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  7. ↑ "UK chart – Patti Smith Group". Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  8. ↑ "European charts – Patti Smith Group". Archived from the original on 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  9. ↑ "Irish charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on February 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  10. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Patti Smith Group – Because the Night" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  11. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  12. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Patti Smith Group – Because the Night". Singles Top 100.
  13. ↑ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  14. ↑ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, June 24, 1978
  15. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Forum - Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  16. ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  17. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1978/Top 100 Songs of 1978". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  18. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
  19. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Patti Smith Group – Because the Night" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  20. ↑ "British single certifications – Patti Smith – Because the Night". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 10, 2013. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Enter Because the Night in the search field and then press Enter.
  21. ↑ Ü30 Party: Funky Town - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  22. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Co.Ro Feat. Taleesa – Because the Night" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  23. ↑ "Radio2 top 30: 8 oktober 2016 | Radio2". Top30-2.radio2.be. Archived from the original on 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  24. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Co.Ro Feat. Taleesa – Because the Night" (in French). Les classement single.
  25. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Co.Ro Feat. Taleesa – Because the Night". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  26. ↑ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on 2009-06-03. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  27. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Co.Ro Feat. Taleesa – Because the Night". Singles Top 100.
  28. ↑ "Co Ro and Tarlisa". Official Charts. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  29. ↑ "UK chart – 10,000 Maniacs". Archived from the original on 2009-02-01. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
  30. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  31. ↑ "Billboard charts – 10,000 Maniacs". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
  32. ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  33. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 1994". Archived from the original on 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  34. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Cascada – Because the Night" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  35. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200934 into search.
  36. ↑ "Cascada – Chart history" European Hot 100 for Cascada.
  37. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Cascada – Because the Night". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  38. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  39. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200828 into search.
  40. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  41. ↑ "New Music From Garbage". Garbage.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-12. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  42. ↑ "Record Store Day 2013: Complete List of Exclusives". Spin. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  43. ↑ Watson, Rob (2012-03-15). "Record Store Day 2012". Garbagediscobox. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  44. ↑ Watson, Rob. "Press Release: Battle In Me out May 7?". Garbagediscobox. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  45. 1 2 3 Hughs, Hilary. "Record Store Day: Garbage, Postal Service and Other Vinyl Devotees Serve It Up". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  46. ↑ "Screaming Females cover Patti Smith for Record Store Day New Brunswick band teams with Garbage for new single". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  47. ↑ Watson, Rob. "Because The Night Duet". GarbageDiscoBox. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  48. ↑ "Garbage plan to release new album next year". NME. 2013-04-01. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  49. ↑ "Read Shirley Manson's Love Letter to Dying Record Stores; Garbage prepping a mysterious Record Store Day exclusive". Spin. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  50. 1 2 Kim, Kristen Yonsoo (2013-04-17). "FOR THE RECORDS: RSD 2013; Garbage Rises Above the Flood". MySpace. Archived from the original on 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  51. 1 2 Watson, Rob. "USA, Because The Night, STNVOL-007, 10-inch commercial single for RSD 2013". Garbage-Discography.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  52. ↑ "AUTOMATIC SYSTEMATIC HABIT (COSTA CADEU REMIX) - SINGLE". Beatport. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  53. 1 2 "Garbage and Screaming Females – "Because The Night"". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  54. 1 2 Watson, Rob. "UK release of Because The Night". GarbageDisco. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  55. 1 2 "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100; 12 May 2013 - 18 May 2013". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2015-04-21.
  56. 1 2 "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100; 19 May 2013 - 25 May 2013". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2015-04-21.
  57. 1 2 3 "Because The Night (Single)". iTunes USA. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  58. 1 2 ""Because The Night" digital single". Garbage.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  59. ↑ "Garbage by Sophie Muller". Garbage. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  60. 1 2 "See Garbage and Screaming Females Record Patti Smith's 'Because the Night'; Shirley Manson, Marissa Paternoster's womance blooms". Spin. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  61. ↑ "Release: Barefoot - A Tribute to Patti Smith - various artists (1997)". Second Hand Songs. 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
  62. ↑ Jan Wayne on the UK Charts
  63. ↑ Jan Wayne on the Belgian Charts
  64. ↑ Jan Wayne on the NL Top40 Charts
  65. ↑ "Exclusive: ?uestlove on Rocking With Springsteen | Music News". Rolling Stone. 2010-11-18. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
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