Here Comes the Night (Them song)

"Here Comes the Night" is a 1964 song, written by Bert Berns and originally recorded by Lulu & the Luvvers.^[1]The band Them, whose lead singer was Van Morrison had a smash hit with it when their version was released in 1965.

1 History
2 Appearance on other Van Morrison albums
3 Other versions
4 Notes
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

This was the second Them record produced by Bert Berns and the first that he had written for Them. Despite a bold, breezy tone, it was a tale of obsessive jealousy and approaching loneliness from the point of view of a rejected lover who voyeuristically watches the new couple. Jimmy Page played guitar on this arrangement. Andy White and Tommy Scott performed backing vocals with Phil Coulter on keyboards. Coulter later said, "I knew I'd heard a smash. It was the first time I'd ever heard a hit record in its emerging state."^[2]

"Here Comes The Night" was Them's third single, released following the success of "Gloria". The first day of its release it sold 16,000 copies, at the time an impressive showing.^[3] It peaked at #2 UK and #24 US, spending 10 weeks on the U.S. chart. It was also released on the EP Mystic Eyes. After the record was released, Them immediately was sent on a public relations push with television appearances on Ready Steady Go! and Top of the Pops.

Van Morrison has remarked on this: ^[4]

Them were never meant to be on Top of the Pops, I mean miming? Lip syncing? We used to laugh at the programme, think it was a joke. Then we were on it ourselves. It was ridiculous. We were totally anti that type of thing. We were really into the blues...and we had to get into suits and have make-up put on and all that..

It was released on the Parrot (US) version of the album THEM in July 1965, and also appears on the album, The Story of Them.

[edit] Appearance on other Van Morrison albums

Van Morrison (1974). Having gone on to a critically acclaimed solo career, Morrison revisited "Here Comes the Night" to close his seminal live album, It's Too Late to Stop Now. This rendition is augmented by a string section.
"Here Comes the Night" (the original 1965 version) is one of the hits that is included on Van Morrison's 2007 compilation album, Still on Top - The Greatest Hits.

[edit] Other versions

Lulu (1964).
David Bowie (1973). On his covers album Pin Ups.
The Rivals (1980). A punk version. The Rivals thought they were covering a David Bowie song.
Native (1994). A reggae version. Featured memorably in the film (and soundtrack to) Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls.
Dwight Yoakam (1992).

[edit] Notes

^ Rogan, No Surrender, p.102
^ Rogan, No Surrender, p 111-112
^ Rogan, No Surrender, p112
^ Rogan, No Surrender, p 112

[edit] References

Rogan, Johnny (2006). Van Morrison:No Surrender, London:Vintage Books ISBN 9780099431831

[edit] External links

Lyrics and Audio sample 1970s, It's Too Late to Stop Now

v • d • e Them

Van Morrison • Billy Harrison • Eric Wrixon • Alan Henderson • Raymond Sweetman Ronnie Millings • Patrick "John" McAuley • Jackie McAuley • Peter Bardens •

Regular UK albums	The Angry Young Them (1964) • Them Again (1965) •

Singles (Decca, Parrott)	"Don't Start Crying Now" (1964) • "Baby, Please Don't Go" (1965) • "Here Comes the Night" (1965) • "One More Time" (1965) • "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" • "Call My Name" • "I Can Only Give You Everything" • "Richard Cory" (1966)