First Comes the Night

Album: First Comes the Night (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title track of Chris Isaak's 12th album, he penned the song with the help of his band members Scott Plunkett and Rowland Salley.
  • Isaak told the story of the song: "I had this piece of rolling melody in my head, and the line, 'That's your stuff. I kept it just the way it was. It's the only thing I got that's left from us.' To me, it summed up how many people end up feeling when someone is gone, and they almost make a shrine."

    "Even though I'm the writer, I often feel like an archaeologist with a brush on the ground trying to knock off the dust and figure out what this song is really about. Is it about a girl who's dead or just gone? I realized this is about a relationship and the girl he's still searching for."

    "I brought what I had to two of the guys in my band - Roly Salley and Scotty Plunkett - to see what they'd bring to it. They helped bring 'First Comes The Night; up to a bigger place. Thanks to them, this song has a dark, sad undertone, but happy possibilities too."

Comments: 1

  • Ray Beaufait from ArizonaThis song first come the night breaks my heart every time I hear it. During the Coronavirus, my wife and dogs listened constantly. My oldest dog Gunner, died during the pandemic and even today 4/2023 I tear up when ever I hear it. I miss old Gunner….
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.