Lonely Is The Night

Album: Don't Say No (1981)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In a 1982 interview with Sounds magazine, Squier explained that he doesn't write songs when he's on the road, which keeps him away from topics like groupies and parties. Said Squier: "'Lonely Is The Night' for example is nothing to do with the fact that I'm in a rock band, but it does have to do with the fact that you can be by yourself in a room somewhere and not know what to do, be scared to death of having to go out and find something."
  • "Lonely Is The Night" was the third single from Billy Squier's second album, Don't Say No, following "The Stroke" and "In The Dark," and preceding "My Kinda Lover." "Lonely Is The Night" was the only one of these singles that didn't chart, and we think we know why: Squier didn't make a video for the song.

    The album was released in 1981 a few months before MTV launched. Squier's videos for those other three singles - all shot in the same day on the same soundstage - were very popular on the network and helped drive sales of the singles.
  • Squier wore a lot of hats musically, writing his own songs and playing a variety of instruments on them, including all the guitars. For the Don't Say No album he got some help with the production from Reinhold Mack, known for his work with Queen. Mack helped polish the songs and give them more pop appeal.

Comments: 4

  • Julian G from Great Falls, Virginia This song sounds identical to some songs from Coda (1982) by Led Zeppelin! Billy Squier sounds identical to Robert Plant in this song!
  • Lance R from Ellensburg, Wa.Yes, I'd agree it's not a particularly easy song to learn (I'm a drummer), but a killer number and worth it. There's a lotta substance in those lyrics, more than meets the eye, if you've ever been there, and went looking.
  • Christopher from Florence, OrGreat tune, learning it - not as easy as one would think.
  • Willie from Scottsdale, AzHis best song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.

Harold Brown of War

Harold Brown of WarSongwriter Interviews

A founding member of the band War, Harold gives a first-person account of one of the most important periods in music history.

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New Words

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New WordsSong Writing

Where words like "email," "thirsty," "Twitter" and "gangsta" first showed up in songs, and which songs popularized them.