Lonely Ol' Night

John Mellencamp

About Lonely Ol' Night

"Lonely Ol' Night" is a rock song written and performed by singer-songwriter John Mellencamp. It appeared on his 1985 album Scarecrow and was released as the album's lead single, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached number 1 on the Top Rock Tracks chart, staying at the top spot for five weeks.


Year:
1985
3:45
152 
#1

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She calls me home
She says baby it's a lonely ol' night
I don't know
I'm just so scared and lonely all at the same time
Nobody told me
She was gonna work out this way no no no no no no
I guess they knew
We'd work it out in our own way

It's a lonely ol' night
Can I put my arms around you?
It's a lonely ol nigh
Custom made for two lonely people like me and you

Radio playin' softly
Some singer's sad sad song
He's singing about
Standing in the shadows of love
I guess it feels awfully alone
She says I know
Exactly what he means yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
And it's a sad sad sad sad feeling
When you're living on those in betweens
(But it's OK)

It's a lonely ol' night
Can I put my arms around you?
It's a lonely ol nigh
Custom made for two lonely people like me and you

She calls me baby
She calls everybody baby
It's a lonely ol' night
But ain't they all?

It's a lonely ol' night
Can I put my arms around you?
It's a lonely ol nigh
Custom made for two lonely people like me and you

Girl like me and you
Yeah like me and you

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John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951) is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock which emphasizes traditional instrumentation. He has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has amassed 22 Top 40 hits in the United States. In addition, he holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number-one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with seven, and has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one. His latest album, No Better Than This, was released on August 17, 2010 to widespread critical acclaim. more »

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Written by: JOHN MELLENCAMP

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Musical Genre Classification
"Lonely Ol' Night" by John Mellencamp represents a pleasing mix of rock and heartland rock genres, the latter referring to a rock music subgenre characterized by straightforward lyrics and minimalist production.
Chart Performance
The song was released in 1985 and went on to peak at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It signified Mellencamp's continued success in the music industry.
Album Inclusion
This track is the lead single taken from Mellencamp’s album "Scarecrow." The album itself was very successful, further establishing Mellencamp as a critical darling in the mid-1980s.
Song Inspiration
The song was inspired by the classic 1962 film "Hud", starring Paul Newman. Mellencamp cites a line spoken by Newman's character as sparking the idea for the song: "It's a lonesome old night, isn't it?”
Radio Popularity
"Lonely Ol' Night" also reached number 1 on the Top Rock Tracks Chart, proving its popularity not only with the mainstream audience but also with the rock listenership.
Cinematic Connection
Some of the lyrics were inspired by dialogue in films. For example, the phrase "It's a lonely ol' night" is inspired by dialogue from the film "Hud", demonstrating Mellencamp's ability to weave different influences into his lyrical content.
Music Video
The music video for "Lonely Ol' Night" was a top hit on MTV, further demonstrating the wide appeal and popularity of the song.
Cultural Impact
Despite being released over 30 years ago, the song still resonates with listeners and is often included in Mellencamp's concert setlist, a testament to its longevity and cultural impact.
Personal Significance
Mellencamp has often referred to "Lonely Ol' Night" as one of his personal favorites from his own discography. His connection to the song gives it a personal and emotional depth that is palpable to his audience.
Co-writer
The song was co-written by Mellencamp and George M. Green, showcasing Mellencamp's ability to work collaboratively and make collective creative decisions.

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    Lonely Ol' Night

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1985

    Billboard #6


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