DeBarge, Rhythm Of The Night | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 106^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Rhythm Of The Night” by DeBarge. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 106^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Rhythm Of The Night”, performed by 🎙 DeBarge.

“When it feels like the world is on your shoulders / And all of the madness has got you going crazy,” 🎙 El DeBarge sings in the first verse of the huge 🎙 DeBarge classic, 🎵 “Rhythm Of The Night”, written by a then young 🎼 ✍ Diane Warren. He continues singing, with his signature, high tenor, “It’s time to get out, step out into the street / Where all of the action is right there at your feet.” So basically, El DeBarge, and the rest of the DeBarge siblings are telling us to get moving – hit the dancefloor! Rather than let life sink us, have some fun – seize the night! “Rhythm Of The Night” is a fitting closing track on the R&B collective’s 1985 album, also titled Closing track from 💿 Rhythm Of The Night.  With its epic, undeniably danceable groove, and those easygoing, fun lyrics, it’s no surprise “Rhythm Of The Night” peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In addition to the enjoyable lyrics, “Rhythm” features terrific production work – refined, slick and funky. As often was the case in the 1980s, the sound is constructed with percussion, programming, and keys/synths. The record embraces the chill, quiet storm R&B vibe that dominated the era.  To reiterate, El DeBarge sounds incredible singing lead with his instrument sounding clear, cool, and easy on the ears.  While the first verse, as well as the second verse are terrific, it is the chorus, which is catchy and feel-good as albeit, that is the centerpiece.

“To the beat of the rhythm of the night

Dance until the morning light

Forget about the worries on your mind

You can leave them all behind

To the beat of the rhythm of the night

Oh, the rhythm of the night.”

Later, the “la-la-la(s)” featured in the outro only accentuates the vibe.  All told, 🎵 “Rhythm Of The Night” is a must-hear 80s classic.  Throwback gold, baby!

🎙 DeBarge • 💿 Rhythm Of The Night • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1985

 DeBarge, Rhythm Of The Night: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 106 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Motown; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]