Goodnight Rhonda Lee

Album: Goodnight Rhonda Lee (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Rhonda Lee is the name Nicole Atkins gave to her alter ego, who showed up when she got drunk, which was quite often in the years leading up to the album. After Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012, she found herself drinking harder and more frequently. "Rhonda" was a good-time party girl, but also tiresome and self destructive.

    In 2015, she entered rehab, where she met a hip-hop producer who convinced her to drop the "indie-rock bulls--t" and record more soulful music. With a change in musical direction and newfound sobriety, she put her drunken gremlin to bed on her next album, making "Goodnight Rhonda Lee" the title track.
  • Atkins wrote this song with Chris Isaak, which explains the twang. Isaak brought Atkins on tour in 2007 and they remained good friends. He also co-wrote the song "A Little Crazy" from the album.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."