13 Ear-Catching Night Songs | Playlist 🎧

13 Ear-Catching Night Songs features music courtesy of AC/DC, Chlöe, Commodores, Harry Styles, and Joji.

Hey, guess what time it is? Time for another musical compendium, of course! This intriguing playlist isn’t focused on day or daylight but rather, it’s focused on NIGHT! It wouldn’t be the first time that The Musical Hype has sought inspiration from nighttime for a playlist but, it’s been a while.  After whetting the palate with the five songs of 🎧 Night: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2022),  the complete, full-fledged 🎧 13 Ear-Catching Night Songs arrives in all its nocturnal glory!

🎧 13 Ear-Catching Night Songs features an utterly compelling list of songs courtesy of 🎙 AC/DC, 🎙 Chlöe, 🎙 Commodores, 🎙 Harry Styles, and 🎙 Joji among others. The list covers rock, pop, R&B, and rap.  So, if you find yourself unable to catch some Z’s, why don’t you read and take a listen to these surefire bops from 🎧 13 Ear-Catching Night Songs!

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1. Harry Styles, “Late Night Talking”

💿 Harry’s House • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2022

“If you’re feeling down, I just wanna make you happier, baby.” Ooh-la-la! The enthusiastic 🎵 “Late Night Talking” marks one of the best moments from 💿 Harry’s House, the third studio album by 🏆 Grammy-winning pop musician 🎙 Harry Styles 😍. “Late Night Talking” features more of a synth-driven sound that’s funky as H-E-double-hockey sticks!

“Late Night Talking” features a 1980s-centric.  Styles sings with coolness while also presenting ample swagger and a plenteous personality (“I’ve never been a fan of change / But I’d follow you to any place / If it’s Hollywood or Bishopsgate, I’m coming, too”).  His tone is warm and beautiful – quite pleasing to the ear. Musically, there’s plenty to heart about this including the harmonic progression, the memorable chorus, and of course the theme – love.

“We’ve been doin’ all this late-night talkin’

‘Bout anything you want until the morning

Now you’re in my life

I can’t get you off my mind.”

Appears in 🔻:

• Night: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2022)

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2. Chlöe & Latto, “For the Night”

🎵 “For the Night” • 🏷 Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia • 🗓 2022

“You can leave your guard at the door / And let me love you for the night.” Woo! 🎙 Chlöe and 🎙 Latto conjure up magic on the enjoyable, sexy single, 🎵 “For the Night”. “For the Night” was produced by 🎛 London On Da Track as well as 🎛 Omer Fedi, 🎛 Boobie among others. Given the skills behind the boards, “For the Night” has a sweet sound.  It’s modern – sounding very 2022 – yet it also hearkens back to the hip-hop-infused, contemporary R&B and pop of old.  The musical inspiration is there for both Chlöe (melodically) and Latto (un-pitched, with her rhymes).

As is often the case with Chlöe’s music, and pop/R&B in general, sex plays a sizeable role.  “And you crave those long nights with me,” Chlöe sings in the chorus.  The verses feature rhythmic melodic lines that a filled with sharp, ear-catching lyrics, particularly the second verse: “You and your mouth, cashing checks that you know gonna bounce /  You say you promise and promise, you’ll figure it out / But I cannot wait, you’re teasing me, I back down.”  As for Latto, she’s true to self, asserting, “You need a bitch, know what to do with you,” later adding, “I’m the only one who know everything you like / You can have this for the night or for your life.” Ultimately, Chlöe and Latto put in work on 🎵 “For the Night”. It’s fun, memorable, and sexy. 

Appears in 🔻:

• Night: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2022)

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3. Joji, “NIGHT RIDER”

💿 SMITHEREENS • 🏷 88rising / Warner • 📅 2022

Side B of 💿 SMITHEREENS, the brief but potent 2022 album by 🎙 Joji features just four tracks.  The album itself features just nine tracks, spanning 24 minutes and ¢hange.  That said, one of the best moments from the LP is the sleek, rhythmic 🎵 “NIGHT RIDER”.  Notably, Joji makes it clear, in one of the track’s most memorable lines, “I’m too precious” in a refrain that follows the sole verse, precedes, and proceeds the chorus.

Hmm, what’s the context? Why is Joji too precious in “NIGHT RIDER”?  Well, SMITHEREENS is an album that finds Joji struggling with the end of a relationship. In the case of being too precious, it seems Joji is reflecting on protecting his feelings and not allowing himself to be hurt again. Clearly, the longing for his past relationship – or the character he represents musically – lingers on.  Think of “Night Rider” as being a bite-sized bop.

Appears in 🔻:

• Night: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2022)

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4. Azealia Banks, “Fuck Him All Night”

🎵 “Fuck Him All Night” • 🏷 Chaos & Glory Recordings • 🗓 2021

“I was fucking him all night / I fuck him all ways / And fucking him on sight, bitch.” Holy $hit! 🎙 Azealia Banks has never been shy – UNDERSTATEMENT! While her outspokenness has often eclipsed her music career, she has some great records, including the blunt, unapologetic 🎵 “Fuck Him All Night”. Sex is the modus operandi, period! The one-liners are endless, beginning with, “Yeah, I’ve been fucking him all night / I’ve been taking raw dick since 11.” Oh shit! It doesn’t stop there because this guy has “Got me [her] lock jawed, dick deep in my mouth.”  Furthermore, over the sketchy, slinky beat, produced by 🎛 Galcher Lustwerk, she asserts, “‘Cause we can slut, we can fuck, we can dig in the guts / And we can suck to the nut if you ready to bust.” Also, she throws in cunnilingus for good measure: “He got a crush on me now, I got him spending his bucks / He wanna touch on my body while his tongue in my cunt.”

While it’s mostly X-rated sex, Banks does take the time to make it crystal clear she’s a ‘bad bitch’:

“All these bitches is zeroes, nill, nada, DeNiro

I’m high like Sharon Stone in Casino

I’m the don diva, all these bitches is small fries

When I come through, yes, all these bitches they gon’ hide.”

Banks has always had a huge personality – bigger than life! That doesn’t fade in the least “Fuck Him All Night,” which is, fittingly, unapologetic. There’s sex, braggadocio, and terrific production work.

Appears in 🔻:

• Azealia Banks, “Fuck Him All Night”: After Dark 🕛 🌃 No. 39 
• 21 Songs About the Universal, 3-Letter Word, SEX
• 15 Great Songs All About Men!
• 13 Songs Featuring Pronouns Galore

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5. GIVĒON, “For Tonight”

💿 Give or Take • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2022 

🎵 “For Tonight” arrived in 2021 as an early promo single for 💿 Give or Take, the debut album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B artist, 🎙 GIVĒON (Giveon Evans). Mr. Evans’ celestial, one-of-a-kind voice, remains intact here, which is a big-time selling point.  Evans wrote “For Tonight” alongside 🎼 ✍ Marcus Semaj, 🎼 ✍ Sevn Thomas, and 🎼 ✍ Tony Dixon.

The songwriting on “For Tonight” is well-rounded, setting up GIVĒON to enjoy her, though solely “For Tonight,” as the title implies.  “For tonight, I’m yours,” he sings on the tuneful chorus, continuing, “So deny the truth / We’ll stay behind closed doors / ‘Cause all I wanna do is lie with you / Even though it’s wrong to lie with you.” Sure, we’ve heard this scenario time and time again, and yet, it never gets old.  Evans does it justice. Helping him out beside a strong pen is the production, crafted by Sevn alongside 🎛 Jahaan Sweet and 🎛 Akeel Henry. “For Tonight” sounds modern enough for an R&B record, but also reminisces on the R&B of the past. I appreciate the soulful sounds, which complement the commanding, nuanced, soulful vocals of Evans.

Appears in 🔻:

• 15 F Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2
• Night: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2022)

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6. Miley Cyrus, “Midnight Sky”

💿 Plastic Hearts • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2020

“The midnight sky is the road I’m takin’ / Head high up in the clouds (Oh, oh).”  🎵 “Midnight Sky” finds the talented 🎙 Miley Cyrus showing off her superstar power.  All boxes are checked off this highlight from her 2020 album, 💿 Plastic Hearts. It’s written and produced by some of the best in the game.

Notably, “Midnight Sky” samples “Edge of Seventeen” by 🎙 Stevie Nicks, nothing short of an awesome choice. The sample alone signals an about face for Miley: ‘disco-pop.’ Most importantly, “Midnight Sky” features aggressive, assertive vocals from Cyrus.  Her instrument has always been her best weapon. Cyrus has a distinct, cutting, powerful voice. She uses her vocals to command this fresh, yet retro dance/disco pop number. Her most passionate vocals arrive on the centerpiece, the chorus.

“I was born to run, I don’t belong to anyone, oh no

I don’t need to be loved by you (By you)

Fire in my lungs, can’t bite the devil on my tongue, oh no

I don’t need to be loved by you.”

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: August 2020
• M Songs: No Rhyme or Reason
• 100 BEST SONGS OF 2020: 50 – 26
• 100 BEST SONGS OF 2020

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7. Benson Boone, “Nights Like These”

💿 Walk Me Home… (EP) • 🏷 Night Street / Warner • 🗓 2022

“Now I’m standing at your door / And I hope that you’re not home / So, I can get used to being alone.” 🎙 Benson Boone is a prime example of fresh, young talent. Furthermore, he totally looks the part of a star.  It’s understandable why 🎙 Dan Reynolds (of 🎙 Imagine Dragons) signed him to his label.  After releasing multiple singles, Boone released his debut EP, 💿 Walk Me Home…, in 2022. Notably, 🎵 “Nights Like These” gives Boone, known for his balladry, more tempo, and groove to work with.

“Nights Like These” was written by Boone and 🎼 ✍ Nolan Sipe.  Notably, it has some folk-pop elements.  At the same time, the falsetto-laden chorus is modern, R&B-infused pop through and through – a fitting sound for a big-voiced talent like Benson. The chorus is where the artist truly shows off his skills.  It’s incredibly tuneful, easily getting stuck in one’s head.

“On nights like these when my willpower’s weak

I’m gonna call, so just let it ring

I’ll drive these streets, don’t come looking for me

If you’re letting go, then I’m gonna need

More nights like these.”

Appears in 🔻:

• Night: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2022)

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8. Taylor Swift, “Midnight Rain”

💿 Midnights • 🏷 Taylor Swift • 📅 2022 

“He wanted it comfortable, I wanted the pain / He wanted a bride, I was making my own name.” Interesting! 🎵 “Midnight Rain” is a surprising record from 💿 Midnights, the electrifying 10^th studio album by 🏆 multi-Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, 🎙 Taylor Swift.  What makes “Midnight Rain” surprising, you might ask? Well, it’s thanks to its use of pitch shift and its liberal use of synths. The vocal effects are ear catching, contributing to the vibe.

Fittingly, on “Midnight Rain,” midnight plays a key role in the song: “And I never think of him / Except on midnights like this.”  Here, Swift seems to take responsibility for the end of a previous relationship, one where she was changing and searching for her own success and fame while he has more modest, traditional moves in mind.  She continues singing in the chorus, “Chasing that fame, he stayed the same / All of me change like midnight.”

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Songs Where When It Rains It Pours (Pt. III)

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9. Years & Years, “Night Call”

💿 Night Call • 🏷 Polydor • 🗓 2022

Once a three-person collective, British synthpop band 🎙 Years & Years is now a solo act comprised of 🎙 Olly Alexander. Despite the changes in the lineup, Olly totally got us 🎵 “Starstruck” in 2021 with the release of several singles in advance of 💿 Night Call.  Now with the arrival of ‘their’ third album, we remain totally starstruck 🤩! Of course, it’s not the promo single we’re focusing on today but rather, 🎵 “Night Call.” 

In the context of the album, the title track, keeps the momentum going strong.  The sound of the record is electrifying, and literally, electronic.  The ear candy is decadent with a mix of softer and harder synths, not to mention the body-moving beat. Olly commands vocally, blessing us with those angelic tenor pipes.  What does his heart desire? A hunk who can make that “night call,” of course.  On the utterly sublime chorus, he admits, “I’m vibin’ on your dial tone / One thing on my brain, so ring me again.” Woo! 

Appears in 🔻:

• 15 N Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

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10. Monica, “The First Night”

💿 The Boy is Mine • 🏷 Arista • 📅 1998

Ah, it’s awesome when a soul sample is used brilliantly in a contemporary R&B song.  🎛 Jermaine Dupri brilliantly samples the 🎙 Diana Ross classic 🎵 “Love Hangover” on 🎵 “The First Night”, one of the best songs by 🏆 Grammy-winning contemporary R&B artist 🎙 Monica.  “The First Night” appears on the 1998 album, 💿 The Boy is Mine, which was stacked with hits including the title track, “Angel of Mine”, and “For You I Will”.  Of course, our focus is “The First Night” – it’s the ‘first’ song of the LP.

“I knew it was wrong for feeling this way / Especially the thought of getting in on the first date / Couldn’t let go, it stayed on my mind / At the end of the night, I had to decide / I was thinking.”  Hmm, essentially on “The First Night,” Monica was totally feeling her date, and even though she knows she shouldn’t entertain the idea, she at least considers making love… “the first night” of course.  The chorus is the best part:

“I should make a move but I won’t

I know you’re probably thinking something is wrong

Knowing if I do that it won’t be right

I don’t get down on the first night.”

The bridge is pretty sweet as well:

“(If) If you want me

You got to know me

And if you want my love

You gotta win my love
Hey baby

That’s the way it’s got to be, yeah

Get to know me, get to know me

So we can do this.”

 

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Captivating Songs About Firsts
• Monica, “The First Night”: Throwback Thursday

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11. AC/DC, “You Shook Me All Night Long”

💿 Back in Black • 🏷 Leidseplein Presse B.V. • 🗓 1980

“She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean.”  Whoa, whoa, whoa, 🎙 AC/DC! Clearly, this is a different sort of motor that lead singer 🎙 Brian Johnson is referencing.  For more context on the 💿 Back in Black hit, 🎵 “You Shook Me All Night Long”, Johnson memorably sings, “She told me to come, but I was already there.” Wow… no sexual innuendo whatsoever 😏! And if that’s not enough evidence of what’s going down on this outlandish, guitar-heavy rock gem, what about the fact that “… The walls start shaking, the Earth was quaking / my mind was aching, and we were making it.” The earthquake, my friends, is clearly coitus.

“And you shook me all night long

Yeah you, shook me all night long.”

Clearly, the sex was out of this world – amazing! In the second verse, Johnson mentions a “seduction line,” and asserts, “Made a meal outta me, and come back for more.” A meal, huh? Use your imagination… It’s understandable why, “Had to cool me down to take another round.”  There’s science behind that, actually. Regardless, the plan is to go again, and by go, Johnson is totally referring to doing it.  The thing is, unless you have virgin ears or live totally under a rock, it doesn’t take much analysis to understand this one. 🎵 “You Shook Me All Night Long” is what it is – a kicka$$, hard rock song about SEX.

Appears in 🔻:

• AC/DC, “You Shook Me All Night Long”: Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 16 (2022)

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12. Commodores, “Nightshift”

💿 Nightshift • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1985

When a famous lead vocalist and songwriter leaves a band/collective, it can be utterly crushing.  Losing 🎙 Lionel Richie was a big hit for 🎙 Commodores, who’d thrived with him fronting them.  Of course, Richie would go onto earn a fruitful solo career which earned him four 🏆 Grammys including the highly coveted, Album Of The Year (💿 Can’t Slow Down).  Of course, Richie had been nominated for multiple Grammys while a member of Commodores. What’s shocking is the fact that the collective won their sole 🏆 Grammy for a record that wasn’t written or sung Richie (Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal).  That record, folks, is 🎵 “Nightshift”.

“Nightshift” appeared on Commodores’ 1985 album, also titled, 💿 Nightshift.  It’s safe to say that “Nightshift” was the big attraction on this album, featuring 🎙 J.D. Nicholas as the lead vocalist.  Also, “Nightshift” marks one of the final hits for Commodores,  crossover to the pop charts peaking at no. 3.  It’s an impressive post-Richie joint, characterized by silky smooth, hella groovy backdrop.  Thematically, the record remembers two iconic musicians, 🎙 Marvin Gaye and 🎙 Jackie Wilson, who both passed away in 1984.  “Marvin, he was a friend of mine,” Nicholas sings in the first verse, adding, “And he could sing a song, his heart in every line / Marvin sang of the joy and pain / He opened up our minds…” Of Wilson, he sings in the second verse, “Jackie, you set the world on fire / You came and gifted us, your love it lifted us higher and higher,” referencing Wilson’s beloved classic, 🎵 “Your Love (Keeps Lifting Me Higher)”.  Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus which references the nightshift – the afterlife for Gaye and Wilson:

“Gonna be some sweet sounds, coming down on the nightshift

I bet you’re singing proud, I bet you’ll pull a crowd

Gonna be a long night, it’s gonna be all right, on the nightshift

You found another home, I know you’re not alone, on the nightshift.” 

Appears in 🔻:

• Commodores, “Nightshift”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 108 (2022)

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13. Gerald Levert, “U Got That Love (Call It a Night)”

💿 Stroke of Genius • 🏷 Elektra • 🗓 2003

“Baby, I think I’m coming home early / ‘Cause girl, my body’s yearning / For what you did last night.” Ooh wee, 🎙 Gerald Levert! If you need a great sex song, look no further than 🎵 “U Got That Love (Call It a Night)”.  “U Got That Love (Call It a Night)” appears on the late 🏆 Grammy-winner’s 2003 album, 💿 Stroke of Genius.  Arguably, “U Got That Love” is one of Levert’s steamiest records.  No, Gerald isn’t profane like the R&B musicians of today, but he does push the envelope – he’s risqué!

The chorus is EVERYTHING:

“(You’ve got that love)

That ‘It’s too good I don’t deserve it’ kinda love

(That kind of love)

That ‘girl, I’m calling in sick to work’ kinda love

(That L-O-V-E love)

That ‘sweaty funky dope’ kinda love

That’s what you got

That ‘call it a night’ kinda love

(You’ve got that love)

That ‘girl, slow down I’m ’bout to bust’ kinda love

(That kind of love).”

Da-yum Gerald! “‘Girl, slow down I’m ‘bout to bust’ kind of love,” huh? Woo! That’s only one of many steamy instances that goes down on this lushly produced slow jam (Levert and 🎛 🎼 ✍ Edwin “Tony” Nicholas).  Gerald kills it at the end of the first verse when he asserts, “‘Cause when you did it / Ooh, it didn’t make no sense / Cause girl you know… / That you sure got a nigga spent.” Then, there’s the second verse, when he states, ‘Baby, wish you could feel that what I was feeling / ‘Cause girl, when I’m inside you / Girl, I’m so complete.” HOLY F#¢KING MOLY – literally! It’s safe to say, the sex is L-I-T on 🎵 “U Got That Love (Call It a Night)”! Further amplifying the sex and sensual factor of this gem is the expressive, soulful performance by Levert.  May he rest in peace – he could absolutely blow!

Appears in 🔻: 

• Gerald Levert, “U Got That Love (Call It a Night)”: After Dark 🕛🌃 39 (2022)
• 15 Steamy Songs Best Listened to After Dark, Vol. 3

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13 Ear-Catching Night Songs [📷: 88rising, Arista, Brent Faulkner, Chaos & Glory Recordings, Columbia, Elektra, Epic, Leidseplein Presse B.V., Motown, The Musical Hype, Night Street, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, Polydor, RCA, Taylor Swift, Warner, Alex Fu, Artem Saranin, brenoanp, David Skyrius, Justin Hamilton, Pexels, Piccinng, Pixabay, Rakicevic Nenad, Sasha Pshenkov, Yente Van Eynde]

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