But Not Tonight

Album: Modern Girls soundtrack (1986)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the theme song to the 1986 romantic comedy Modern Girls, which starred Cynthia Gibb, Daphne Zuniga, and Virginia Madesen. The lyrics celebrate the simple pleasure of being alone in the rain and away from the crowds. In that respect, it's similar to their single "Enjoy The Silence," which is also about solitude away from the throngs. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA

Comments: 3

  • Ivis Dm from Mexico CityI agree with "Devoted in Mx City"... unless explained by the author, the lyric of a song is opened to interpretation and adjusts one can adjust it to one's context, but, I'm sorry, the meaning written here for "But Not Tonight" is very simplistic. Since the lyrics say, "... Reminiding me of so many other nights, When my eyes had been so red, I'd been mistaken for dead, but not tonight", I've always believed the song is a bout a depressed person who do drugs, but is determined to get out of his addiction... and the rainy night makes it a little more dramatic.

    Good one, Devoted in MX City.
  • Devoted In Mx City from Mexico CityA long, long time ago, I got to the conclusion that most of the songs (except the ones with obvious references) have a meaning in particular for the person who listens to it.
    I mean, you can interpret the lyrics any way you want (a good example about this is Danny Wilson’s Mary’s Prayer)... most of the times, only the writer/composer knows the exact meaning of a lyric, but that lyric can adjust to one’s moment in life.
    IMO, I believe “But Not Tonight” is about a depressed person who tries to unsuccessfully get out of it.

    Greetings to all!
  • Benoit from MontrealThe lyrics celebrate the simple solitary pleasure of autoerotism (masturbation)... A break from the simple pleasure of pot ("my eyes have been so red...")
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."