Heart of the Night

About Heart of the Night

"Heart of the Night" is a song on the 1978 album release by the country-rock group Poco entitled Legend; the 1979 hit single is also featured on the group retrospective 20th Century Masters, as well as The Essential Poco. The song's lead vocalist and composer Paul Cotton would describe "Heart of the Night" as a song which (Paul Cotton quote:) "kind of wrote itself...in twenty minutes", being "inspired by my love and lust for New Orleans", a city Cotton had previously focused on "Down in the Quarter" (album Head Over Heels/ 1975); Cotton has also stated that he wrote "Break of Hearts" (album Ghost Town/ 1982) as a followup to "Heart of the Night" (although "Break of Hearts" contains no regional references). Cotton, born in Alabama but raised in Chicago, would aver: (Paul Cotton quote:): "I'm just drawn to the South. Hey, I spent 25 winters in Chicago." "Heart of the Night" is highlighted by an alto sax solo by Phil Kenzie who had similarly and memorably contributed to the Al Stewart 1976-77 hit "Year of the Cat": Kenzie had become acquainted with Cotton and Young as a result of Kenzie's playing behind Al Stewart during the 1977 Year of the Cat tour which featured Poco as opening act. Two other members of Al Stewart's tour band, drummer Steve Chapman and bassist Charlie Harrison, also played on the sessions for the Legend album. (Paul Cotton:) "Steve Chapman, right after we rehearsed ['Heart of the Night'] in the studio, said 'Man, that's going to be a big hit.'"In 1978, with Poco seemingly disbanded, Cotton and Rusty Young (Young quote:) "got a little rehearsal hall, put together a band, and played [several songs including] 'Crazy Love' and 'Heart of the Night'" for ABC Records executives who okayed Cotton and Young recording an album as the Cotton-Young Band; however by the time the album - recorded at Crystal City Studios (Los Angeles) between April and August 1978 - had been completed ABC had decided to issue it as a new Poco album, a decision which effectively promoted Steve Chapman and Charlie Harrison from being one-off session players to tenured members of Poco. The album Legend was released in November 1978 with the lead single "Crazy Love" released in January 1979 to become Poco's first Top 40 hit. "Heart of the Night" was issued as the second single from Legend in May 1979, reaching a Hot 100 peak of #20. Billboard ranked "Heart of the Night" as a #5 Easy Listening hit, with the track appearing on the C&W chart at #96. In Canada "Heart of the Night" peaked at #18. more »

Year:

2007

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In the heart of the night
In the cool southern rain
There's a full moon in sight
Shinin' down on the Pontchartrain
And the river she rises
Just like she used to do
She's so full of surprises
She reminds me of you

In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
Oh, down in New Orleans

There's a night bird singing
Right on through till the dawn
And the streets are still ringing
With people carrying on
It's been so long waiting
Just to be here again
Anticipating
All the time I could spend

In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
Oh, down in New Orleans

And I trust in your love
Never fallin' down
And I trust in your love
Just like I do in this town
Oh, never fallin' down
Oh, never fallin' down

In the heart of the night
In the cool fallin' rain
There's a full moon in sight
Shinin' down on the Pontchartrain
And the river she rises
Just like she used to do
She's so full of surprises (oh mama)
She reminds me of you (right here)

In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
Oh, down in New Orleans

And I'm so glad to be back in New Orleans
Please don't wake me, don't shake me
If it's only, if it's only just a dream
Cause it's the only place that I can face
It makes me feel so right
Below that Dixie moon and lovin' you
In the heart of the night

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Poco

Poco is a Southern California country rock band originally formed by Richie Furay and Jim Messina following the demise of Buffalo Springfield in 1968. The title of their first album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, is a reference to the break-up of Buffalo Springfield. Highly influential and creative, they were pioneers of the country rock genre. Throughout the years Poco has performed in various groupings, and is still active today. more »

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