Bruce Springsteen Songs: "Because The Night"

“Because the Night” – The Gem Born from Bruce Springsteen and Immortalized by Patti Smith

“Because the Night” is one of those songs that transcend generations and genres, with a story as fascinating as its powerful melody. Originally written by Bruce Springsteen, the song gained worldwide fame through Patti Smith, becoming one of the most iconic rock anthems of the late 1970s.

The Origin of an Unexpected Collaboration

In mid-1977, Bruce Springsteen was deeply immersed in the recording sessions for his album Darkness on the Edge of Town. During that creative process, he wrote a song with great potential, but one he felt didn’t quite fit the darker tone of the album. That song was Because the Night.

Producer Jimmy Iovine, who was working simultaneously with both Springsteen and Patti Smith, had the brilliant idea of passing the demo on to Smith. Intrigued by the melody, she decided to rewrite parts of the lyrics and make the song more personal and emotionally charged. The result was a powerful blend of passion and vulnerability that turned the track into a timeless hit.

Patti Smith Takes It to Stardom

Patti Smith released her version of Because the Night in 1978 as part of the album Easter. The song quickly became a hit, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, and cementing Smith’s status as a poetic and rebellious rock icon.

With lyrics like “Because the night belongs to lovers”, the song captures the urgency of desire, the strength of intimacy, and the mystery of the night—all wrapped in a vocally intense performance.

Bruce Springsteen’s Original Version

Although Springsteen didn’t release his version at the time, he returned to the song years later. He performed it live on numerous occasions, and a studio recording finally appeared on his 2010 compilation The Promise, which featured unreleased material from the Darkness on the Edge of Town sessions. His take on the song is rawer, more melancholic, and introspective—offering a contrasting yet compelling version.

One Song, Many Lives

Over the decades, Because the Night has been covered by many artists, including 10,000 Maniacs, Garbage, R.E.M., Natalie Imbruglia, and James Bay, among others. Each version brings a new dimension to the song, proving its melodic and emotional strength.

The song also remains a favorite in live performances. Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, and other artists have performed it together on special occasions, creating unforgettable moments for fans.

Legacy

Today, Because the Night is much more than a successful track. It represents the magic that can arise when two great artists intersect creatively. It’s a key piece of rock history—a symbol of an era when music was still recorded with passion, intuition, and a bit of fate.

Did you know…?

Springsteen gave the song away not knowing it would become one of Patti Smith’s biggest hits.
Bruce’s original lyrics focused more on loneliness than romantic desire.
In many fan polls, this track remains one of the most beloved from both Springsteen’s and Smith’s catalogs.

Lyrics

“Take me now baby here as I am
Pull me close try an understand
I work all day out in the hot sun
Stay with me now till the mornin’ comes
Come on now try and understand
The way I feel when I’m in your hands
Take me now as the sun descends
They can’t hurt you now
They can’t hurt you now
They can’t hurt you now

Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us

What I got I have earned
What I’m not I have learned
Desire and hunger is the fire I breathe
Just stay in my bed till the morning comes
Come on now try and understand
The way I feel when I’m in your hands
Take me now as the sun descends
They can’t hurt you now
They can’t hurt you now
They can’t hurt you now

Because the night…

Your love is here and now
The vicious circle turns and burns without
Though I cannot live forgive me now
The time has come to take this moment and
They can’t hurt you now

Because the night…”