Own the Night

Album: Miami Vice (1985)
Charted: 57
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This high-energy single was featured on the 1985 soundtrack to the hit TV series Miami Vice. The song is about someone from a major city who's unwilling to settle for struggling from paycheck to paycheck and wants to "own the night." Miami Vice was a cop show that often featured glamorous criminals, so in that context Chaka could be singing from the perspective of someone willing to resort to crime to get what she wants. The song was a modest hit, peaking at #57, but remains a favorite of fans from the show. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
  • The song was originally recorded by the disco singer George McRae, peaking at #59 on the Billboard dance chart in 1984. His version can be found on the Gold Mountain album Own The Night.
  • This was written by:

    American singer-songwriter Franne Golde whose other credits include The Commodores' "Nightshift" which received a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year, and the Pussycat Dolls international hit single "Stickwitu."

    Mary Dean Lauria, who also co-penned Diana Ross' "Little Bright Star" for the Motown Christmas Gift album. She is also an actress, and her credits include voicing characters in Heavy Traffic (1973) and Hey Good Lookin' (1982).

    Self-taught musician Marti Sharron, who was living in Los Angeles and trying to break into the music business when she co-wrote "Jump (For My Love)" a pop and R&B hit in 1984 for the Pointer Sisters. She went on to write for the likes of Philip Bailey, Anita Baker, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand and the Backstreet Boys before passing away at the age of 56 in 2007.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?