Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)
Encyclopedia
"Tonight's the Night" is a song by Rod Stewart
, recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
for his 1976
album A Night on the Town. The song became his second US chart topper, peaked at #5 in UK, #3 in Australia and charted well in other parts of the world as well. The song features whispers from Britt Ekland
who was Stewart's girlfriend
at the time. While primarily recorded at Muscle Shoals, the final vocal was recorded at Caribou Ranch studios, where Stewart, Eckland and producer Tom Dowd spent several days.
The song was the 61st video to be played on the debut of MTV
on 1 August 1981.
by such notable artists as Linda Clifford
, Janet Jackson
and Nicky Moore
, and sung by Anthony Kavanagh
, Terry Steele, who reached number forty-four on the R&B singles chart, and Alison Crawford on Grease is the Word
.
In Jackson's cover, the lyrics imply that she and her partner are about to share a threesome
with another woman. Indeed, Janet begins the song by saying, "This is just between me and you...and you." Additionally, each chorus addresses a different person, as she sings, "'Cause I love you, boy" in one and "'Cause I love you, girl" in another.
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
, recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was formed in Muscle Shoals, Alabama,in 1969 when musicians Barry Beckett , Roger Hawkins , Jimmy Johnson and David Hood left FAME Studios to create their own studio...
in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
for his 1976
1976 in music
-January–February:*January 5 – Former Beatles road manager Mal Evans is shot dead by Los Angeles police after refusing to drop what police only later determine is an air rifle....
album A Night on the Town. The song became his second US chart topper, peaked at #5 in UK, #3 in Australia and charted well in other parts of the world as well. The song features whispers from Britt Ekland
Britt Ekland
Britt-Marie Ekland is a Swedish actress and singer, and a long time resident of the United Kingdom. She is best known for her roles as a Bond girl in The Man with the Golden Gun, and in the British cult horror film The Wicker Man, as well as her marriage to actor Peter Sellers, and her...
who was Stewart's girlfriend
Girlfriend
Girlfriend is a term that can refer to either a female partner in a non-marital romantic relationship or a female non-romantic friend that is closer than other friends....
at the time. While primarily recorded at Muscle Shoals, the final vocal was recorded at Caribou Ranch studios, where Stewart, Eckland and producer Tom Dowd spent several days.
The song was the 61st video to be played on the debut of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
on 1 August 1981.
Background and lyrics
The singer is addressing a girl (later it states that she is a virgin) in which he demands she not do certain things, states some things he wants her to do, and tells her where she is to go and informs her of some of the things he wants to do with her. One particular line is a relatively blatant double entendre referring to sex:- 'Cmon Angel my heart's on fire
- Don't deny your man's desire
- You'd be a fool to stop this tide
- Spread your wings and let me come inside 'cause
- Tonight's the night (gonna be alright)
Cover versions
The song has been remadeCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by such notable artists as Linda Clifford
Linda Clifford
Linda Clifford is an American R&B, disco and house music singer and actress, who scored hits from the 1970s to the 1980s, most notably "If My Friends Could See Me Now", "Bridge over Troubled Water", "Runaway Love" and "Red Light"....
, Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
and Nicky Moore
Nicky Moore
Nicky Moore is a vocalist who is best known as a former member of the British band Samson. He replaced Bruce Dickinson who left the band to join Iron Maiden in 1982. Moore left Samson in the late 80s and rejoined in the late 90s....
, and sung by Anthony Kavanagh
Kavana
Kavana is a British singer and actor.-Career:He released two albums Kavana and Instinct and enjoyed a number of chart singles including "Crazy Chance"...
, Terry Steele, who reached number forty-four on the R&B singles chart, and Alison Crawford on Grease is the Word
Grease Is the Word
Grease Is the Word was the UK version of NBCs Grease: You're the One that I Want!. It aired during Spring/Summer 2007, and was produced by Syco TV ....
.
In Jackson's cover, the lyrics imply that she and her partner are about to share a threesome
Ménage à trois
Ménage à trois is a French term which originally described a domestic arrangement in which three people having sexual relations occupy the same household – the phrase literally translates as "household of three"...
with another woman. Indeed, Janet begins the song by saying, "This is just between me and you...and you." Additionally, each chorus addresses a different person, as she sings, "'Cause I love you, boy" in one and "'Cause I love you, girl" in another.