Goodnight Tonight

Album: All the Best! (1979)
Charted: 5 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was one of Paul McCartney & Wings later hits, and it was a big one, reaching #5 on both the American and British charts. It's notable in part for its flamenco guitar section.
  • The video featured the band dressed in 1930s style costumes. Stills from the visual were used on the single's sleeve.
  • In 2010 the song was featured in the motion picture Grown-Ups, which starred Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA, for above 3
  • This was the first single released by the seventh formation of Wings. The band's mainstays, Paul, Linda and Denny Laine, were joined by new members, guitarist Lawrence Juber and drummer Steve Holly.
  • In the UK this was the first release of a Paul McCartney record on the Beatles old label, Parlophone. In the US it was the first to be issued under McCartney's new deal with Columbia Records.
  • This was originally over seven minutes long, so an edited version was used as the single, with the full version made available as Paul McCartney's first ever 12-inch.

Comments: 2

  • Jose from TucsonWhat many people think is a flamingo guitar in the beginning and in the bridge is not actually a guitar. It's a mexican instrument called a "vihuela" a small tenor string instrument used in traditional mariachi music
  • Don from Sevierville, TnThe video featured Wings, but the audio was actually just Paul singing and playing all instruments. That's why when the CD's in the UK and Europe were re-released with different bonus songs, Goodnight Tonight appeared on McCartney II instead of Back to the Egg.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.