Behind The Song 'Because The Night' By Patti Smith And Bruce Springsteen

Mar 15, 2020 by apost team

Because the Night is the only song that Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen ever wrote together. It was first released in Patti's album Easter in 1978, but it wasn't until earlier this month that the true origins of the song were brought to light.

To glean some truth behind the distortion, it’s wise to consult the creators themselves. Patti Smith clarified the circumstances surrounding the track during a 2010 interview with American Songwriter.

Of course, musicians often like to fabricate elements to enhance their stature; however, Bruce Springsteen also verified the narrative, so the official facts are finally on the record. Furthermore, Patti's detailed account was confirmed by industry insider Jimmy Iovine, who personally produced the album.

apost.com

As a well-known studio mastermind who also provided motivation for the teamwork between Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks, Jimmy can be considered a reputable resource. Just like the way he encouraged the creation of Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around, he cultivated the impetus to make Because the Night a reality.

At the time of its inception, Bruce was dedicated to finishing work on Darkness On The Edge of Town. While he had already started work on the composition that would turn into Patti’s masterpiece, the songwriter actually felt like discarding the tune.

His reasoning for almost abandoning the track was simple: He felt like there were far too many love ballads in his discography already. Luckily, Jimmy persuaded him to pass the music to Patti instead. Here’s how she described the arrangement in the interview:

“Jimmy gave it to me, and Bruce had given it to him. Everything was completely produced, and the chorus was done. Bruce needed words for the verses, which were mumbled.”

Her emotional inspiration stemmed from a lonely night waiting to hear from her soon-to-be husband. She recounted the evening by saying, “I sat up with it all night writing a song for Fred, who was supposed to call me from Detroit. I’m the kind of girl who waits for the call.”

As an underground sensation, Patti actually scored her first mainstream hit with the release of Because the Night which was a staple on her third album, Easter. On the other hand, Bruce didn’t release his own studio version until 2010 with The Promise, but he did play it live a few times before formally allowing the public to hear the original take.

The duo has also appeared together several times to perform the track in concert. They were even backed by U2 for a fitting expo at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary.

If you know any fans of classic rock, then make sure to pass this story to them. They will surely be grateful for you helping them “come and try to understand.”