23 Best Songs About Night

The best songs about the night capture the existential feelings we get when gazing up at the stars. 

It’s a universal topic in music throughout the ages, with many classical and contemporary singers and bands tackling its themes. 

Read on for a breakdown of the greatest bands and vocalists who have sung about the night and how these songs came to exist.

The 23 Best Songs About Night 

With the night serving as such a powerful and enduring theme, there’s a long list of songs that explore it in all its many forms. 

We’ve chosen music to reflect this variety, from songs that recount a night on the town to music that aims to recreate the vastness of a night sky. 

Let’s get the ball rolling and begin our playlist of the 23 best songs about night.

23. “Northern Sky” – Nick Drake 

Nick Drake’s 1971 song, “Northern Sky,” was released on his album Bryter Layter, the second long player from the folk songwriter. 

“I never saw moons, knew the meaning of the sea,” Drake sings in this great song, “I never held emotion in the palm of my hand.” 

It’s a wonderful piece of music with evocative lyrics that have become synonymous with Nick Drake’s style over the years. 

22. “All Night Long (All Night)” – Lionel Richie 

Lionel Ritchie invites his listeners to party “All Night Long (All Night)” in this classic song from his extensive discography. 

It’s one of the more upbeat night songs you can listen to that features Ritchie’s trademark soothing vocal style and lush instrumentation. 

Lionel Ritchie reportedly struggled to end the song, working on it for two months before getting the inspiration to finish it. 

21. “The Night Sky” – Keane 

Having written “Everybody’s Changing,” one of the best songs about change, Keane changed direction with “The Night Sky,” released in 2007. 

This haunting and mesmerizing ballad evokes the vast emptiness of the night sky and how its presence can make a person feel lonely. 

At the same time, “The Night Sky” builds up a sense of hope and optimism, exploring the beauty and mystery of the universe.

20. “Across The Night Sky” – Adeodat Warfield 

“Across the Night Sky” by Adeodat Warfield is another beautiful song that explores the night sky and how it makes people feel emotional. 

“When I was just a boy, I gazed across the night sky at a loss,” the lyrics explain. “Love was not a concept or a notion, just a feeling like an ocean.” 

Adeodat Warfield released “Across the Night Sky” on his self-titled album in 2012, a popular hit among fans of alternative indie music.

19. “Night Fever” – The Bee Gees 

One of the most well-known songs by the Bee Gees is “Night Fever,” which was released as part of the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever. 

It’s a disco classic and the favorite night song for people who love to dance all night long. 

Saturday Night Fever was a huge hit at the box office, and this famous song with infectious lyrics and a toe-tapping beat helped launch John Travolta’s career.

18. “One More Night” – Maroon 5 

Maroon 5 has explored various subjects through their music, ranging from one of the best songs about cheating to “One More Night.” 

There’s a love song element to “One More Night,” which likens the push and pull of a planet’s gravitational pull to the struggle between the heart and mind. 

Its reggae-inspired guitars and melody mark a departure from Maroon 5’s typical style and desire to experiment musically.

17. “Pink Night Sky” – Dr. Dundiff 

The night sky isn’t always jet black and dotted with stars, as “Pink Night Sky” by Dr. Dundiff explores in its lyrics. 

This song about the night sky envisions it close to sunset, as the remaining pink hue fades away during the magic hour. 

It’s as laid-back and gorgeous as the phenomenon it seeks to describe through music and is a worthy addition to anyone’s playlist.

16. “Underneath The Night Sky” – Young Love 

Young Love released “Underneath the Night Sky” on their album Too Young To Fight It, their debut full-length release in 2007. 

It’s a song that seeks to capture the wonder people feel gazing at the night sky and the shared sense of connection it brings to humanity. 

The New York-based dance rock band enjoyed more success with the track “Discotech,” the only single to emerge from their debut album.

15. “My Night Sky” – DevilDriver 

DevilDriver’s heavy metal sounds are brought into play for one of the most aggressive songs about night you can listen to. 

“My Night Sky” lyrics include the lines, “I’ve realized I’m not sorry anymore, you’ve poisoned the wine, and it’s my night sky!” 

It’s a driving metal song that DevilDriver released in 2016, featuring it on their album Trust No One.

14. “Same Night Sky” – 2AM Club 

Another talented American band to sing about the night is 2AM Club, known for their impressive fusion of rock, pop, funk, and hip-hop. 

“Same Night Sky” hit the charts in 2010 and was featured on the band’s album What Did You Think Was Going to Happen? 

The lyrics—”Looking at the same night sky, we’ll be there waiting for you getting high.”—capture the attention of the dance music audience the track was intended for.

13. “Night Sky” – CHVRCHES

Scottish synth-pop band CHVRCHES first formed in 2011, releasing “Night Sky” two years later to critical acclaim. 

The band brings their typically ethereal and spacious sense of style to the song and captures the essence of the beautiful world we inhabit. 

“Night Sky” was released on the album The Bones of What You Believe, which was praised for its mastery of tone and atmosphere.

12. “Let’s Spend The Night Together” – The Rolling Stones 

The Rolling Stones need little introduction, having released many songs over the years, picking up three Grammy Awards, and many more nominations. 

“Let’s Spend the Night Together,” as the name implies, is about a romantic night between two lovers. 

The song was edited for radio play, with the word “night” being removed and Jagger opting to sing, “Let’s spend some time together,” in later performances.

11. “All Day And All Of The Night” – The Kinks 

The Kinks enjoyed a prolific career, and one of the band’s most notable releases at the peak of their fame was “All Day and All of the Night.” 

“The only time I feel alright is by your side,” the song’s lyrics go, continuing, “Girl, I want to be with you all of the time.” 

While it didn’t perform as well as one of the band’s biggest hits, “You Really Got Me,” it remains a favorite among the Kinks’ many fans.

10. “Whatever Gets You Thru The Night” – John Lennon 

Whether through his work with the Beatles or as a solo artist, John Lennon has released some of the best songs of all time, such as “Imagine.” 

“Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” is one of his lesser-known works; nevertheless, it’s one of the best songs about the night recorded. 

It’s a song that encourages listeners to do what makes them happy and is a classic example of Lennon’s truly exceptional songwriting talent.

9. “The Nights” – Avicii 

“The Nights” by Avicii is one of the most popular songs from his discography, released in 2014 and quickly dominating the charts. 

Avicii examines how nighttime is an opportunity to feel genuinely alive and explore all the possibilities life has to offer. 

A great Friday-night song to welcome in the weekend, “The Nights,” was also written in respect for the uncredited vocalist’s father, Nicolas Furlong.

8. “Midnight Sky” – Miley Cyrus 

Pop sensation Miley Cyrus is a singer-songwriter of many talents, with catchy lyrics that make her music among the best karaoke songs performed today. 

“Midnight Sky” is another excellent pop-rock song, with the lyrics declaring, “The midnight sky is the road I’m takin’, head high up in the clouds.” 

Released in 2020, Miley Cyrus featured “Midnight Sky” on her album Plastic Hearts, with the track also winning an MTV Video Music Award for Best Song of the Summer.

7. “December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)” – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons 

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons brings a more nostalgic and affecting tone to the subject of nighttime, along with some suggestive lyrics. 

“December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” is a superb blend of rock and disco that features one of the sweetest melodies ever recorded. 

The song reached the number-one spot on the UK Singles Chart and was later remixed by Ben Liebrand in 1988.

6. “The Night Sky” – Mostly Autumn 

Another of the great songs about the night is “The Night Sky” by Mostly Autumn, which the band released on their sixth studio album, Glass Shadow. 

As with many other songs exploring nighttime, this one also takes on the concept from a cosmic perspective and encourages people to “reach for the stars.” 

“The Night Sky” became the lead single from its album, loved for its inclusion of an acapella rendition of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” 

5. “Up At Night” – Kehlani (Featuring Justin Bieber) 

Kehlani and Justin Bieber brought their complementary vocal styles together for their duet, “Up At Night.” 

This song is about having a good night out with friends and partying until dawn, with an appropriately infectious rhythm and great production. 

“Up At Night” was released on the album Blue Water Road, as well as a single that dominated the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 2022.

4. “Strangers In The Night” – Frank Sinatra 

Frank Sinatra is known for many charming songs exploring everything from the night sky to songs about life itself. 

“Strangers in the Night” is another romantic classic from the iconic singer that discusses a chance meeting between strangers that leads to love. 

Originally written by Ivo Robic, “Strangers in the Night” became the favorite song of many Frank Sinatra fans in the years since it was released.

3. “Night Moves” – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band 

Another chance encounter that leads to passion is the topic of “Night Moves” by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, released in 1976. 

There are other meanings the listener can interpret from the lyrics to “Night Moves,” which also explores feelings of escape and adventure in youth. 

The song title was also used for Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band’s ninth studio album, marking their breakthrough into national fame.

2. “Saturday Night’s Alright” – Elton John 

“Saturday Night’s Alright” by Elton John was inspired by visiting the clubs in the United Kingdom’s burgeoning dance scene. 

As such, it’s an animated piece of music that reflects the energy and zeitgeist of the era while firmly retaining John’s rock and roll sensibility. 

Elton John wrote “Saturday Night’s Alright” in collaboration with Bernie Taupin, and together they drew on a range of British cultural influences and styles.

1. “Nights In White Satin” – The Moody Blues 

English rock band The Moody Blues followed up their great song about flying, “The Best Way to Travel,” with the excellent “Nights in White Satin.” 

It’s a breezy and catchy tune with ambiguous lyrics that focus on themes of love. 

Written by Justin Hayward, “Nights in White Satin” remains among the most popular songs the band ever recorded.

Summary 

We hope we’ve shed some light on the best songs about the night you can add to your playlist and offered some insights and facts about these popular releases. 

Songs about the night will continue to be written and produced, reflecting the awe-inspiring nature of the universe and our place within it. 

They’ll also continue to recall the feeling of a great Saturday night out with friends and bring many more popular hits to the archives. 

What’s the best song about night, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.