Van Morrison — Wild Night
Album: Tupelo HoneyAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2206
Length: 3:30
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As you brush your shoes, stand before the mirror
And you comb your hair, grab your coat and hat
And you walk wet streets, tryin' to remember
All the wild night breezes in your mem'ry ever
And everything looks so complete
When you're walkin' out on the street
And the wind catches your feet
Sends you flyin', cryin'
Ooo-woo-wee, wild night is calling
Ooo-ooh-wee, wild night is calling
And all the girls walk by, dressed up for each other
And the boys do the boogie-woogie on the corner of the street
And the people passin' by stare in wild wonder
And the inside jukebox roars out just like thunder
And everything looks so complete
When you're walkin' out on the street
And the wind catches your feet
Sends you flyin', cryin'
Ooo-woo-wee, wild night is calling
Ooo-ooh-wee, wild night is calling
The wild night is calling
The wild night is calling
Come on out and dance
Whoa, come on out and make romance
Come on out and dance
Come on out, make romance
And you comb your hair, grab your coat and hat
And you walk wet streets, tryin' to remember
All the wild night breezes in your mem'ry ever
And everything looks so complete
When you're walkin' out on the street
And the wind catches your feet
Sends you flyin', cryin'
Ooo-woo-wee, wild night is calling
Ooo-ooh-wee, wild night is calling
And all the girls walk by, dressed up for each other
And the boys do the boogie-woogie on the corner of the street
And the people passin' by stare in wild wonder
And the inside jukebox roars out just like thunder
And everything looks so complete
When you're walkin' out on the street
And the wind catches your feet
Sends you flyin', cryin'
Ooo-woo-wee, wild night is calling
Ooo-ooh-wee, wild night is calling
The wild night is calling
The wild night is calling
Come on out and dance
Whoa, come on out and make romance
Come on out and dance
Come on out, make romance
Comments (183)add comment
fits nicely with the France theme of the last few tunes
Some would say this is the greatest RnR song ever.
Van the man! He sure did tap into a deep vein of creativity back in the day. Such positive energy, turning a typical night into a wild night.
The bass player approves of this version. But not the newer one.
idiot_wind wrote:
...have you ever been to a Van Morrison concert? He's the definition of grumpy! ;)
Just look at his first 4-5 solo albums. My Gosh...just freakin fantastic. We should all be so lucky to have that kind of creative outburst, before we become old, grumpy, and complacent.
...have you ever been to a Van Morrison concert? He's the definition of grumpy! ;)
Woud rather hear TB Sheets. This song, Wild Night, gets too much play to my taste. And what about Washing Windows That's my pick today.
This was a favorite from my busking days. With everyone joining in on the chorus, we could stretch it out for what seemed like hours.
nomnol wrote:
thankfully, the Cougar's version seems to have disappeared. Haven't heard it in years.
Every time they played Cougar's version of the song, I would have to go and put on my CD with this version, play it loud- after which I would say- that's how it should sound!
thankfully, the Cougar's version seems to have disappeared. Haven't heard it in years.
Every time they played Cougar's version of the song, I would have to go and put on my CD with this version, play it loud- after which I would say- that's how it should sound!
idiot_wind wrote:
How about taking deeper dive into other albums:
Veedon Fleece, St. Dominic Preview, Hardnose the Highway.
Yes!
How about taking deeper dive into other albums:
Veedon Fleece, St. Dominic Preview, Hardnose the Highway.
Yes!
And the inside jukebox roars out just like thunder
What a line.,,,
What a line.,,,
kurthelf915 wrote:
How about taking deeper dive into other albums:
Veedon Fleece, St. Dominic Preview, Hardnose the Highway.
While this is a great song it is a staple on classic rock stations. Bill, please play some "deep cuts" off the album!
How about taking deeper dive into other albums:
Veedon Fleece, St. Dominic Preview, Hardnose the Highway.
While this is a great song it is a staple on classic rock stations. Bill, please play some "deep cuts" off the album!
Fantastic ! Thanks !
Just love how the bass and rhythm guitar create a single sound on this song. Great tune bolstered by the horns and Van's it's-just-me-don't ask-for-more vocals.
"the inside jukebox roars out just like thunder"
What an evocative line !
What an evocative line !
idiot_wind wrote:
Sure, but it would lose to Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher".
Is this a candidate for greatest rock n roll song ever?
Sure, but it would lose to Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher".
focus33 wrote:
It's a very different chord progression - though both are in minor keys and using a clean guitar sound, but I do agree that Adam Durwitz was clearly inspired by Van Morrison.
Did anyone notice a similarity to Mr Jones by Counting Crows? Right from the opening chords...then onto the vocal stylings etc.. I feel this was "inspirational" in their songwriting.
It's a very different chord progression - though both are in minor keys and using a clean guitar sound, but I do agree that Adam Durwitz was clearly inspired by Van Morrison.
love that riff! and the lyrics put this one over the top,
throw the horns in and his vocals make it - a ......
throw the horns in and his vocals make it - a ......
Love this one. Also like the Mellencamp version which I knew first.
I love the line "the girls walk by dressed up for each other" - I find that to be VERY true in our society. I'm at a 9 on this classic track...and Long Live RP!!
Is this a candidate for greatest rock n roll song ever?
My Happy Song!!!Would you all play something form the Veedon Fleece album? Or the Hard Nose the Highway album?
stunix wrote:
And don't put Leslie through a slow sax.
note to self: don't put sax through a slow leslie.
And don't put Leslie through a slow sax.
note to self: don't put sax through a slow leslie.
4
4
Just look at his first 4-5 solo albums. My Gosh...just freakin fantastic. We should all be so lucky to have that kind of creative outburst, before we become old, grumpy, and complacent.
"And the inside jukebox roars out just like thunder"
Must be one of the most evocative lines ever.
Must be one of the most evocative lines ever.
Did anyone notice a similarity to Mr Jones by Counting Crows? Right from the opening chords...then onto the vocal stylings etc.. I feel this was "inspirational" in their songwriting.
Greatest rock n roll song ever?
Singing along at the top of my voice... no matter how often I hear this, it adds something brilliant to my day: one of the best songs ever written!
YES, this song speaks to me in so many ways, every time I hear it. It's all so true, too: there is Magic, like a contagion, on a Wild Night!
Godlike!!
Right It's Magical !
Yup, godlike alright
A candidate for one of the greatest RnR songs ever?
It has all the hooks, lyrics, great vocals, AND guitars and horns.
And it's not over-produced...you can hear fingers scratching on the guitar strings.
And you dance to it as well as sing along as well as drive to it.
It has all the hooks, lyrics, great vocals, AND guitars and horns.
And it's not over-produced...you can hear fingers scratching on the guitar strings.
And you dance to it as well as sing along as well as drive to it.
Van The Man, or should I say Sir Vanlose Morrison.A thoroughly deserved knighthood today for providing brilliant and inspiring music all these years.Well timed Bill.
played to death....with so many other VM records out there ...
Always a classic.
But I've heard it a zillion times. It's lost its luster. Still, it's a classic sing along toe tapper fer sure.
But I've heard it a zillion times. It's lost its luster. Still, it's a classic sing along toe tapper fer sure.
Something about the Johnny Cougar video version that I like, but Van is the Man....
FrankMc wrote:
Most men don't perceive all the effort women put in towards looking good, but we love the overall effect. High heels work for me. But I think you're right: women do dress up to impress or outshine each other. I always laugh at the joke of two women agonizing separately over just the Right Outfit...and then show up to the same event looking just like each other and hating each other for it.
Most straight men don't agonize and don't care if another guy is wearing the same thing. Hell, we're barely aware when two women do it.
"All the girls walk by dressed up for each other."
Whenever I suggest that is a great lyric my wife tells me it's crap, but it's a great lyric. It's true you know. Men don't give a damn about high heels and all that fashionista stuff that hobbles women.
Whenever I suggest that is a great lyric my wife tells me it's crap, but it's a great lyric. It's true you know. Men don't give a damn about high heels and all that fashionista stuff that hobbles women.
Most men don't perceive all the effort women put in towards looking good, but we love the overall effect. High heels work for me. But I think you're right: women do dress up to impress or outshine each other. I always laugh at the joke of two women agonizing separately over just the Right Outfit...and then show up to the same event looking just like each other and hating each other for it.
Most straight men don't agonize and don't care if another guy is wearing the same thing. Hell, we're barely aware when two women do it.
Yes, indeed. Some wild nights are forever.
Man I bet this song was amazing live...
johnjconn wrote:
Sounds like you have not heard much of Van's stuff, some of his may sound a bit commercial like Brown Eyed Girl but some of his material is pretty inaccessible. His first Album Astral Weeks is hardly commercial. I agree about Coldplay etc. But Van is different a bit like Neil Young in many ways.
At the risk of being called out ,,,
I can't get into Van the Man
He's got that same thing that Coldplay, later Genisis and later Elton John has, which is just a commercial , "Gimme a hit" sound.
Not much depth for me.
I can't get into Van the Man
He's got that same thing that Coldplay, later Genisis and later Elton John has, which is just a commercial , "Gimme a hit" sound.
Not much depth for me.
Sounds like you have not heard much of Van's stuff, some of his may sound a bit commercial like Brown Eyed Girl but some of his material is pretty inaccessible. His first Album Astral Weeks is hardly commercial. I agree about Coldplay etc. But Van is different a bit like Neil Young in many ways.
I wore this track almost bare on my Tupelo Honey cassette of the time.
Love the line "and the inside juke-box roars out just like thunder!"
Love the line "and the inside juke-box roars out just like thunder!"
only 10!!!
ya'll are both correct. the beatles did begin breaking up in late 68 and early 69. lots of infighting and walkouts on sessions...the very reason clapton had to come in and shore up harrisons absence on "weeps'.it really just disintegrated from there.it was mcartney who made it 'official by him' in70. awesome musicians with egos to match i know all this because secretly i am the 'eighth beatle'...( who am i to let the truth stand in the way of a good story!)
joelbb wrote:
Like, Dude, the Beatles broke up in '68, after the release of "Let It Be".
The "White Album" was released in 1968, "Abbey Road" was released in 1969, "Let It Be" was released in 1970 - then The Beatles disbanded. It was a while ago, though.
Like, Dude, the Beatles broke up in '68, after the release of "Let It Be".
The "White Album" was released in 1968, "Abbey Road" was released in 1969, "Let It Be" was released in 1970 - then The Beatles disbanded. It was a while ago, though.
Sorry you folks below don't like this TOTALLY ROCKIN' R&B MASTERPIECE, but I guess there's no accounting for your bad taste. I was 23 when this DYNAMIC ODE TO BEING YOUNG AND HIP AND IN THE MIDST OF YOUR MILIEU was released. It's been one of my all-time favs ever since, not just of Van Morrison tunes, but of all music from the DAYS OF THE GREATS (there were GIANTS in those days). I gave it a nine, you brain dead children.
dctrpunda wrote:
Like, Dude, the Beatles broke up in '68, after the release of "Let It Be".
'71, year after Beatles broke up
Like, Dude, the Beatles broke up in '68, after the release of "Let It Be".
Substitute Van's voice for Bruce's and this easily could have been a song off of "Greetings..."
I'm a Vanophile, and this was one of the first handful of albums of his that I soaked up. But it's way, way at the bottom of my Van playlist. Just don't dig the dated sound and feel of it all. He's done so much better, before and since.
FrankMc wrote:
Yeeeeeeah, we want them nude... hu?
Agree, song has great lyrics. But why did you want to consult that with your wife, your sister or your workmate (woman)?
"All the girls walk by dressed up for each other."
Whenever I suggest that is a great lyric my wife tells me it's crap, but it's a great lyric. It's true you know. Men don't give a damn about high heels and all that fashionista stuff that hobbles women.
Whenever I suggest that is a great lyric my wife tells me it's crap, but it's a great lyric. It's true you know. Men don't give a damn about high heels and all that fashionista stuff that hobbles women.
Yeeeeeeah, we want them nude... hu?
Agree, song has great lyrics. But why did you want to consult that with your wife, your sister or your workmate (woman)?
It's an 11 It is the greatest rock no roll song ever.
Van's voice. The lyrics on wild nights, girls, music, boogie woogie.
The guitar work. The horn section.
You can dance to it.
You can sing along.
You can get romantic.
The perfect r n r song ever.
Van's voice. The lyrics on wild nights, girls, music, boogie woogie.
The guitar work. The horn section.
You can dance to it.
You can sing along.
You can get romantic.
The perfect r n r song ever.
johnjconn wrote:
Quite alright, just stay where you are. Myself, can't say I love everything Van but he has a hell of a lot of songs I do.
At the risk of being called out ,,,
I can't get into Van the Man
He's got that same thing that Coldplay, later Genisis and later Elton John has, which is just a commercial , "Gimme a hit" sound.
Not much depth for me.
I can't get into Van the Man
He's got that same thing that Coldplay, later Genisis and later Elton John has, which is just a commercial , "Gimme a hit" sound.
Not much depth for me.
Quite alright, just stay where you are. Myself, can't say I love everything Van but he has a hell of a lot of songs I do.
"All the girls walk by dressed up for each other."
Whenever I suggest that is a great lyric my wife tells me it's crap, but it's a great lyric. It's true you know. Men don't give a damn about high heels and all that fashionista stuff that hobbles women.
Whenever I suggest that is a great lyric my wife tells me it's crap, but it's a great lyric. It's true you know. Men don't give a damn about high heels and all that fashionista stuff that hobbles women.
scrubbrush wrote:
Maybe in your universe.
One of the greatest forces in modern music.
Maybe in your universe.
I really like what John Mellencamp did with this song.
Wedding reception song request #7.
onerb wrote:
Played it high school with my band... always lively & good memories
Yes!
Played it high school with my band... always lively & good memories
Yes!
Gotta love it :)
You just need to have a wild night.
potatomutant wrote:
potatomutant wrote:
Van Morrison is great. I'm just tired of this song. :)
Van Morrison is great. I'm just tired of this song. :)
I've watched the last waltz a number of times with The Band. I can never think of Van again as a anything but the drunk Van the Man. Sorry.
just like thunder
'71, year after Beatles broke up
Great moments in bass line history.
One of the greatest forces in modern music.
At the time, a very out-of-context-but-beautiful use of pedal steel. Excellent phrasing on the part of a guy who says "I'm really just a jazz singer".
A godlike song from a godlike man.
ha! they just played the same set again tonight! awesome. when it works, it works.
VAN IS THE MAN. would love to hear more songs from his Astral Weeks album though. SO GOOD!
evergreener wrote:
VAN IS THE MAN. would love to hear more songs from his Astral Weeks album though. SO GOOD!
evergreener wrote:
| Count Basie - Jumpin' at the Woodside then Wild Night.... keep up this pace and I may get more work done! | |
Fantastic album! Fantastic tour that year too. Love him.
OmegaConcern wrote:
where can i buy one of these!
where can i buy one of these!
I think "the girls walk by dressed up for each other" is the most brilliant line in a song ever. Totally puts me in the moment. 
A definite Turn It Up Tune.
and the people passin' by
just stare in wild wonder
and the inside juke-box
roars out just like thunder
I am SO glad RP doesn't strive so hard to be different that they overlook some pretty good 'FM' oldies now and then.
Great song, great album.
One of the best VM albums.
Such an uninhibited and joyful little ditty 
The best song of Van. Aaaaaaaaaaaa:)))))
Ol' Van can be a little erratic, sometimes. So could Mozart and Jerry Lee Lewis.
But when Van is "on his game" he is among the pantheon of popular vocalists, in both talent and style.
He is amazing!
But when Van is "on his game" he is among the pantheon of popular vocalists, in both talent and style.
He is amazing!
| Count Basie - Jumpin' at the Woodside then Wild Night.... keep up this pace and I may get more work done! | |
I would love to hear 'Starting a New Life' from this album.
This song just got way cooler, great mix.
Van is THE MAN. Even having performed this twice a week for years, I still like it.
He has a WONDERFUL performance in The Last Waltz...for an introvert, he really cuts loose and has fun. Adorable! See it if you haven't - it's worth a fast-forward.
He has a WONDERFUL performance in The Last Waltz...for an introvert, he really cuts loose and has fun. Adorable! See it if you haven't - it's worth a fast-forward.
Pyro wrote:
maybe she's referring to the airplay on terrestrial radio that this song got (gets)
Well, maybe radio was better back then. IIRC, isn't the decline of terrestrial radio the reason we're all RP fans in the first place?
Bleyfusz wrote:
And what in hell makes THIS song commercial??
maybe she's referring to the airplay on terrestrial radio that this song got (gets)
copymonkey wrote:
A first for me two 10s in a row, Count Bsie into THIS...and it's a beautiful FRIDAY!!
You got THAT right!!
A first for me two 10s in a row, Count Bsie into THIS...and it's a beautiful FRIDAY!!
The reason the Mellencamp's version is so good is that he got help from Me'shell Ndegeocello. She elevates him to another level.
Yes! I wish we could hear that version too.
Shesdifferent wrote:
While I love Van Morrison, don't get me wrong...but isn't this the most overplayed commercial song ever....out of all the library of his songs you could choose from, with your Radio Paradise originality you couldn't have chosen something else?
And what in hell makes THIS song commercial??
Jam-a-Lam
Mindscrape wrote:
I've never heard the Mellencamp version,...
Was it for a Viagra ad?
While I love Van Morrison, don't get me wrong...but isn't this the most overplayed commercial song ever....out of all the library of his songs you could choose from, with your Radio Paradise originality you couldn't have chosen something else?
pevend wrote:
Not much of a Van Fan, but this one and Moondance are outstanding.
Don't forget "Into the Mystic".
Party Music
I've never heard the Mellencamp version, but this is pure gold.
When I was a kid and this was on the radio, I thought he was singing "wild night at the quarry". I thought they were partying down at the quarry - like we did.
wally42 wrote:
Mellencamp's version is so good is that he got help from Me'shell Ndegeocello. She elevates him to another level.
totally agree
wally42 wrote:
...the reason Mellencamp's version is so good is that he got help from Me'shell Ndegeocello. She elevates him to another level.
Too true.
Kristi wrote:
I love this... I love Van, really. But... I've gotta say, I like the cover by Mellencamp better. *ducks*
I had to laugh out load ... as this was playing a woman in my office that is not really very knowledgeable about music history and and is a HUGE Mellencamp fan came over to me and said "this is a Mellencamp song and he does it much better, this guy really sucks at it, and he should stop now!" It took a few minutes for her to recover after I told her that Van Morrison released it in 1971.
I don't have the heart to tell her that the reason Mellencamp's version is so good is that he got help from Me'shell Ndegeocello. She elevates him to another level.
This is a really great song. I don't understand why they put that weird phasing affect on the sax solo though. It always pulls me out of the moment.
Kristi wrote:
I love this... I love Van, really. But... I've gotta say, I like the cover by Mellencamp better. *ducks*
*ducks with you*
I love this... I love Van, really. But... I've gotta say, I like the cover by Mellencamp better. *ducks*
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
I hope that he is refreshing his muse in Ladbroke Grove or throwing pennies at the bridges down below on some train journey in Ireland rather than inhabiting some duplex in Malibu
I think he's still in London but I used to see him around Belfast, in the 90's. I think he goes there quite a bit - hangs out in the pub with his old pals, growls at strangers asking for autographs...
great set 
Not much of a Van Fan, but this one and Moondance are outstanding.
nigelr wrote:
Makes me want to do the boogie-woogie on the corner!
I'll be doing just that tomorrow night (July 4, 2007): Van the Man is playing here in Ottawa. The Bob will be playing the next night. Pretty good one-two punch, I'd say.
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
I googled 'Where does Van Morrison live?" and got this
I despair! I hope that he is refreshing his muse in Ladbroke Grove or throwing pennies at the bridges down below on some train journey in Ireland rather than inhabiting some duplex in Malibu
Actually, Morrison lives in London, when not on tour or recording (usually in Irfeland).
His daughter (Shana lives in LA.
Makes me want to do the boogie-woogie on the corner!
Tygre wrote:
"Tedious and predictable"
From a person whose inspiration for a login name was Chumbawumba.
Cheers to that!
RobK wrote:
He isn't 25 yet...
You're thinking of Willie Nelson. This was and is great music, so lay off. By the way, he was about 25 years old when he made this album. What were you doing at 25?
Chumbawamba-1984 wrote:
Kinda tedious and very predictable. Needed money for the IRS ?
"Tedious and predictable"
From a person whose inspiration for a login name was Chumbawumba.
Chumbawamba-1984 wrote:
Kinda tedious and very predictable. Needed money for the IRS ?
I googled 'Where does Van Morrison live?" and got this
I despair! I hope that he is refreshing his muse in Ladbroke Grove or throwing pennies at the bridges down below on some train journey in Ireland rather than inhabiting some duplex in Malibu
Van Morrison's version is so good that it makes it painful to listen to the craptacular cover by John Mellencamp. OTOH if John Mellencamp hadn't recorded Wild Night when I was in high school I may never have sought out ANY of Van Morrison's music. I guess that you have to break a few eggs to make a cake.