No More Lonely Nights Explained

"No More Lonely Nights" is a song written and performed by Paul McCartney, first released on 24 September 1984 on the album Give My Regards to Broad Street.

The song features David Gilmour from Pink Floyd on guitars including the soaring solos and fills throughout the song. Reflecting upon the recording in a radio interview prior to 1990's Knebworth concerts, Gilmour told Jim Ladd that "No More Lonely Nights" was the last thing McCartney recorded for the film Give My Regards to Broad Street (late 1983/early 1984), and that he told McCartney to give his session fee to a charity of his choice.

Release

Two versions of the single on both 7" and 12", and a 12" picture disc, were issued in both the UK and US. The first 7" version featured "No More Lonely Nights" backed with the playout version. The second featured the Arthur Baker Dance Mix as the B-side.

The power ballad^[1] reached number 6 in the US and number 2 in the UK. It was included on McCartney's double album compilation, All the Best! (1987), (2001) and Pure McCartney (2016).

Critical reception

Cash Box called the song a "heartwarming ballad" that is "tender and atmospheric."^[2] Billboard said "No surprises, but eminently satisfying."^[3]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic said the song was "an absolutely lovely mid-tempo tune graced by a terrific David Gilmour guitar solo."^[4]

Track listings

7" single – UK, 1984

1. "No More Lonely Nights"
2. "No More Lonely Nights" (playout version)

7" single

1. "No More Lonely Nights"
2. "No More Lonely Nights" (special dance mix)

12" single – UK, 1984

1. "No More Lonely Nights" (extended version)
2. "Silly Love Songs" (remake)
3. "No More Lonely Nights" (ballad)

12" single

1. "No More Lonely Nights" (special dance mix by Arthur Baker)
2. "No More Lonely Nights" (special dance edit)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1984)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5]	9
Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[6]	17
Canada (CHUM)[7]	13
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)[8]	2
Nicaragua (UPI)[9]	4
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[10]	29
US Cash Box Top 100[11]	10

Year-end charts

Chart (1984)	Rank
Australia (Kent Music Report)[12] [13]	84
UK Singles (Official Single Charts)[14]	22
US Cash Box Top 100[15]	74

Chart (1985)	Rank
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[16]	72
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[17]	32

Official versions

No More Lonely Nights (Ballad) [produced by George Martin]

• 5:13 – CD Album Version (includes dialogue from the movie)
• 4:42 – LP/Vinyl Album Version (includes dialogue from the movie)
• 4:47 – version (7" version with longer fadeout)
• 4:36 – 7" Version (clean introduction)
• 0:13 – Ballad Reprise

No More Lonely Nights (Playout Version) [produced by Arthur Baker]

• 5:03 – CD Album Version
• 4:26 – LP/Vinyl Album Version
• 3:58 – 7" Version
• No More Lonely Nights (Extended Version) – 8:10
• No More Lonely Nights (Special Dance Edit) – 4:22
• No More Lonely Nights (Special Dance Mix) (aka Extended Playout Version) – 6:55

Personnel

• Paul McCartney – lead vocal, piano
• Linda McCartney – backing vocal, synthesizer
• Eric Stewart – backing vocal
• David Gilmour – guitar
• Herbie Flowers – bass
• Anne Dudley – synthesizer
• Stuart Elliott – drums

External links

• Lyrics of this song

Notes and References

1. Web site: Paul McCartney 'Hopefully' Has Another New Album On the Way. Martin. Kielty. Ultimate Classic Rock. 31 July 2019 .
2. Reviews. Cash Box. October 6, 1984. 2022-07-25. 15.
3. Billboard. Singles Reviews. October 6, 1984. 2023-02-10. 62.
4. Web site: [{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r44387|pure_url=yes}} Review of ''Give My Regards to Broad Street'' ]. Erlewine . Stephen Thomas . Stephen Thomas Erlewine . . 30 August 2009.
5. Book: Kent, David. Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book. St Ives, NSW. 1984. 0-646-11917-6 .
6. Web site: Radio 2 Top 30. Top 30. 3 October 2016. nl. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160328140542/http://www.radio2.be/top-30/1984/11/24. 28 March 2016.
7. Web site: CHART NUMBER 1456 – Saturday, November 24, 1984 . 3 October 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061107193825/http://www.1050chum.com/index_chumcharts.aspx?chart=1456 . 7 November 2006 . . CHUM.
8. http://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=English&Chart=F&ChDay=&ChMonth=&ChYear=&ChBand=Paul+McCartney&ChSong= Radio Luxembourg Singles, 2 October 1984
9. News: Las canciones más populares en Latinoamérica. La Opinión (Los Angeles). es. October 11, 2024. November 19, 1984.
10. Web site: South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Acts M. The South African Rock Encyclopedia. 3 October 2016.
11. Web site: CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending DECEMBER 1, 1984 . Cash Box magazine. 3 October 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120930235116/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19841201.html . 30 September 2012 .
12. Web site: Kent Music Report No 548 – 31 December 1984 > National Top 100 Singles for 1984. Kent Music Report. Imgur.com. 23 January 2023.
13. Web site: Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s. Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. 3 October 2016.
14. [1984 in British music#Best-selling singles]
15. Web site: The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1984 . 11 September 2012 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120930234839/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1984YESP.html . 30 September 2012 .
16. 28 December 1985 . 1985 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles . T-21 . Billboard . 97 . 52 .
17. 28 December 1985. Billboard Volume 97 No. 52, DECEMBER 28. 1985. Billboard. TA-21, TA-28. New York, NY, USA. 3 October 2016.