Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)

"Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" is a song by Rod Stewart, recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for his 1976 album A Night on the Town. The song became his second US chart topper, peaked at #5 in UK, #3 in Australia and charted well in other parts of the world as well. The song features whispers from Britt Ekland who was Stewart's girlfriend at the time. While primarily recorded at Muscle Shoals, the final vocal was recorded at Caribou Ranch studios, where Stewart, Eckland and producer Tom Dowd spent several days.

The song was the 61st video to be played on the debut of MTV on 1 August 1981.

Background and lyrics

The singer is addressing a girl (later it states that she is a virgin) in which he demands she not do certain things, states some things he wants her to do, and tells her where she is to go and informs her of some of the things he wants to do with her. One particular line is a relatively blatant double entendre referring to sex:

'Cmon Angel my heart's on fire

Don't deny your man's desire

You'd be a fool to stop this tide

Spread your wings and let me come inside 'cause

Tonight's the night (gonna be alright)

Cover versions

The song has been remade by such notable artists as Linda Clifford, Janet Jackson and Nicky Moore, and sung by Anthony Kavanagh, Terry Steele, who reached number forty-four on the R&B singles chart,^[1] and Alison Crawford on Grease is the Word.

In Jackson's cover, the lyrics imply that she and her partner are about to share a threesome with another woman. Indeed, Janet begins the song by saying, "This is just between me and you...and you." Additionally, each chorus addresses a different person, as she sings, "'Cause I love you, boy" in one and "'Cause I love you, girl" in another.

Notes