Living for the Night
Encyclopedia
"Living for the Night" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music
singer George Strait
. Written by Strait with his son, Bubba, and Dean Dillon
, it is the 88th single release of his career, and the first single that Strait has co-written. It is also the first from his 26th studio album, Twang
. The song was released to radio on May 28, 2009, one day after CBS
aired a George Strait tribute show in which other musical artists performed covers of his songs.
, who has also written several of Strait's other singles. It is the first single release in Strait's solo career that he has had a hand in co-writing, and only the second song of his entire solo career that he has had a hand in writing that was used on one of his albums (the first being the self-penned "I Can't See Texas from Here", a cut from his 1982 album Strait from the Heart
). Earlier songwriting efforts from Strait, such as "I Can't Go On Dyin' Like This," were recorded before he signed to MCA and were eventually released on the Strait Out of the Box
boxed set.
, pedal steel guitar
and a string section
.
, in his Allmusic review of the album, called it a "terrific tear-in-my-beer single."
directed the song's music video
, which is footage of a live performance. It made its debut on CMT.com on August 28, 2009.
Hot Country Songs
charts, entering at #34.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
. Written by Strait with his son, Bubba, and Dean Dillon
Dean Dillon
Dean Dillon is an American country music artist. Between 1982 and 1993, Dillon recorded six studio albums on various labels, and charted several singles on the Billboard country charts. Although he has not charted since 1993, Dillon has continued to write several hit songs for other artists, most...
, it is the 88th single release of his career, and the first single that Strait has co-written. It is also the first from his 26th studio album, Twang
Twang (album)
-Personnel:*Eddie Bayers – drums*Eric Darken – percussion*Stuart Duncan – fiddle, mandolin*Tom Flora – background vocals*Paul Franklin – steel guitar*Steve Gibson – acoustic, electric, gut string guitars*Mike Haynes – trumpet...
. The song was released to radio on May 28, 2009, one day after CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
aired a George Strait tribute show in which other musical artists performed covers of his songs.
Background and writing
Strait and his son, George "Bubba" Strait, Jr., wrote the song with Dean DillonDean Dillon
Dean Dillon is an American country music artist. Between 1982 and 1993, Dillon recorded six studio albums on various labels, and charted several singles on the Billboard country charts. Although he has not charted since 1993, Dillon has continued to write several hit songs for other artists, most...
, who has also written several of Strait's other singles. It is the first single release in Strait's solo career that he has had a hand in co-writing, and only the second song of his entire solo career that he has had a hand in writing that was used on one of his albums (the first being the self-penned "I Can't See Texas from Here", a cut from his 1982 album Strait from the Heart
Strait from the Heart
Strait From the Heart is the second studio album from American country music artist George Strait. It is certified platinum by the RIAA. The album includes George's first Number One single, "Fool Hearted Memory", as well as the singles "Marina del Rey", "Amarillo by Morning" and "A Fire I Can't Put...
). Earlier songwriting efforts from Strait, such as "I Can't Go On Dyin' Like This," were recorded before he signed to MCA and were eventually released on the Strait Out of the Box
Strait Out of the Box
Strait Out of the Box is country music singer George Strait's box set. It contains four CDs worth of music, dating from 1976 all the way to 1995. It mainly consists of Strait's singles, except for a select few that Strait decided to leave off. They were replaced by Strait's choice of album cuts and...
boxed set.
Content
In the song, the male narrator expresses his feelings after having lost an unspecified person in his life ("Every day is a lifetime without you / Hard to get through since you've gone"). He then goes on to say that he is "living for the night" so that he can go to a bar during the nighttime, and drink whiskey to forget his problems. The song is accompanied by classical guitarClassical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
, pedal steel guitar
Pedal steel guitar
The pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal bar to "fret" or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it also uses pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch, hence the name "pedal"...
and a string section
String section
The string section is the largest body of the standard orchestra and consists of bowed string instruments of the violin family.It normally comprises five sections: the first violins, the second violins, the violas, the cellos, and the double basses...
.
Critical reception
Matt Bjorke of Roughstock gave the song a favorable review. He said that the song was "one of the best songs that George's released this past year." Bjorke also said that the idea behind the song may have been inspired by the loss of Strait's daughter, Jenifer, in an automobile accident several years previous. Stephen Thomas ErlewineStephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
, in his Allmusic review of the album, called it a "terrific tear-in-my-beer single."
Music video
Shaun SilvaShaun Silva
Shaun Silva is a music video director who works primarily in the country music field. He has directed a number of music videos for many country music artists, including many of Kenny Chesney's music videos. His other clients include: Jack Ingram, Sugarland, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn, and Rascal...
directed the song's music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, which is footage of a live performance. It made its debut on CMT.com on August 28, 2009.
Chart performance
On the charts dated for the week of June 13, 2009, "Living for the Night" was the highest-debuting single, or "Hot Shot Debut", on the BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
charts, entering at #34.
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 53 |
| Canadian Hot 100 | 72 |