Released 1 December 2014 Label PRMD
Universal | Genre Dance, folktronica | |
Format CD single
Digital download Length 2:56
6:34 (extended mix) Writer(s) Gabriel Benjamin
Tim Bergling
John Feldmann
Nicholas Furlong
Jordan Suecof | ||
"The Nights" is a song by Swedish DJ and music producer Avicii. It features uncredited vocals by Nicholas "RAS" Furlong, who co-wrote the song with Jordan Suecof, Gabriel Benjamin, and John Feldmann. On 1 December 2014, it was released as a digital download by PRMD Music and Universal Island on Avicii's The Days / Nights, then on 11 January 2015 in the United Kingdom. The song peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and number 1 on the UK Dance Chart. On 23 January 2015, Avicii released "The Nights (Avicii by Avicii)", his own remix of the song. The song appears on the UK version of Avicii's second studio album Stories (2015).
Contents
Background
Furlong noted that he began writing the song as an ode to his father. The inspiration for the “pirate-y fight song” sound came to him while at a bar in Ireland. Furlong recalled:
"I had been going back and forth with Jordan and Gabe about this song idea that merged commercially sound rock music with the signature sound of an Irish drinking song. When I returned to Los Angeles we all went into the studio."
Furlong sent the original idea, titled "My Father Told Me", to Arash Pournouri, Avicii's manager. Pournouri recognised an immediate draw to the track, saying that the song had that same sense of euphoria which characterises so much of Avicii's music. In an interview with Yahoo! Music, Pournouri said: "It made absolute sense to work on it with Ras...[Avicii and I just needed] to make it more 'us' and that's what [we] did."
Like his previous hits "Wake Me Up" and "Hey Brother", "The Nights" is a progressive house song containing elements of folk rock. It is written in the key of F#.
Music video
On 1 December 2014, a lyric video to accompany the release of "The Nights" was released on YouTube.
On 15 December 2014, the official music video for "The Nights" was released on YouTube and premiered on the front page of Yahoo Music. The video was produced, directed by, and stars "professional life liver" Rory Kramer, who filmed an exuberant action-packed recollection of his own life on roller coasters, surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, balloon flying, etc. – living a life to be remembered.
Credits and personnel
Uses in popular culture
"The Nights" was featured on the soundtrack of the EA Sports video game FIFA 15.
The song was also used during Sportscenter's 'Images of 2014' segment on ESPN, recapping the year's best moments in sports.
"The Nights" will be featured on the soundtrack of the video game WRC 5.
It has been the goal song of the Carolina Hurricanes since the 2015–16 season, and the victory song of the New York Rangers since the 2015–16 season.