Released 1986 Recorded 1986 Label Arista | Format 7" Length 4:12 | |
Writer(s) Albert Hammond
Diane Warren | ||
"Lonely Is the Night" is a pop ballad by Australian-British band Air Supply, released in 1986, as the lead-single from their ninth studio album, Hearts in Motion (1986). The ballad was written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren, while John Boylan produced it. "Lonely Is the Night" was a minor success in the United States, reaching number 76 on the Billboard's Hot 100 and 12 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Contents
Composition and lyrics
"Lonely Is the Night" was written by Albert Hammond with famous songwriter Diane Warren, while production was done by John Boylan. Lyrically, the song talks about the difficulty of dealing with a long-distance relationship. In the beginning, Russell Hitchcock sings that he thought he'd live well without his girlfriend, "Really thought that I could live without you, Really thought that I could make it on my own," he sings. However, he realizes that he's lost without the one he loves, "Now I'm so lost without you, now you're not here and now I know." In the chorus, he sings about how difficult it is to spend the night away from his love. "Lonely is the night when I'm not with you, lonely is the night ain't no light shining through, till you're in my arms till you're here by my side, lonely am I."
Release and reception
"Lonely Is the Night" was released as the first single from Air Supply's ninth studio album, Hearts in Motion (1986). The song was later included on their compilation Ultimate Collection, released in 2000. Later, the song was included on 2002's Best of Air Supply. In 2004, the song was included on the compilation Platinum & Gold Collection, while in 2005, "Lonely Is the Night" was the opening song of the second disc of their compilation, Forever Love: 36 Greatest Hits 1980-2001. Finally, the song made the cut on their 2006 compilation, Collections, on their 2007's The Best of Air Supply: Ones That You Love and on their 2009 compilation, The Collection. While reviewing the compilation The Collection, Jason Lymangrover of Allmusic referred to the song as "obscure."
Chart performance
In the United States, "Lonely Is the Night" spent 8 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 76, in 1986. To date "Lonely Is the Night" is both the lowest-charting single from the band as well as the band's most recent song to reach the Billboard Hot 100. On the Adult Contemporary chart, the song was better, peaking at number 12, remaining eleven weeks inside the adult chart.
Track listing
- "Lonely Is the Night" – 4:12
- "I'd Die for You" – 3:48