I was supposed to write a story updating the new Watershed BOOK and 2-LP SET and new SINGLE and TOUR..AND to promote our Kickstarter which is currently still open. Visit watershedcentral.com for all you need to know. But first I must address the elephant in the room. I have a question and I know you have it, too. How many songs are titled “All Night Long” and which is the best?
I was recently listening to a podcast where someone generally referred to Lionel Richie as one of the all-time great songwriters and specifically referred to “All Night Long” as one of his best songs. I found this information surprising, but then again I am kind of a dumb-ass. For example, if you had asked me before Rolling Stone published their “greatest songwriters” list the following question: Has Mariah Carey: A) Never written a single song? or B) Been chosen by Rolling Stone as one of the 20 greatest living American songwriters?
I would have answered “A.” How embarrassing is that?
So I am not here to debate where Lionel Richie stacks up as an all time great songwriter. I am here to debate where his song “All Night Long” stacks up against the other seven songs with the title “All Night Long.”
Lionel Richie - All Night Long
Let’s kick off with Lionel’s tune. Not really my jam but I noticed he sings in a strange Caribbean accent sometimes which is kinda nifty. Also - it was an international smash-hit record spending three full weeks at #1 in the good old USA. I would guess this would make it the most successful song titled “All Night Long.” I give it a 4 out of 10.
Buckcherry - All Night Long
If Lionel Richie gave us the most successful version of “All Night Long,” certainly we can count on our pals Buckcherry to give us the stupidest version. Actually…..no?? The stupidest version is coming up. This track is OK. I will also give it a 4 out of 10.
“I wanna dig it in the jailhouse rock /Wanna feel it from my head rock down to my socks /That's what it means when you're livin' your dreams /Let me hear you say/ Yeah we're going all night long / All night long/ Do it anyway you want / And do it all night long /Yeah we're going all night long/ All night long / Do it anyway you want /And do it all night long!”
The Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long
I was surprised to find these lyrics way more metal than Buckcherry until I saw that Rick James produced and co-wrote this track. 6 out of 10.
“I'm gonna give it to you / All night long /I can't wait to love you, baby / All night long (oh, ooh)/I'm gonna give it to you /I've been waiting for you so long, come to me /I'm gonna give it to you /Meet me on the rooftop in the night /I'm gonna give it to you / Come and get my love delight.”
Billy Squier - All Night Long
Of course, this is the first “All Night Long” that popped into my head. Before I could drive I saw Billy open the show with this on the Signs of Life tour at Blossom Music Center outside Cleveland. (Ratt opened.) This was weeks before the infamous “Rock Me Tonight” video allowed a bunch of homophobes to tear down one of our least-appreciated all-time great rock n rollers. (Click here for a story I wrote on that subject) Opening riff sounds kinda like “Lonely Is the Night” but there are only like 4 or 5 chords worth playing anyway so I will give it a pass. Former Watershed producer and producer of this record Jim Steinman adds some beeps, clangs and computer drill sounds for .5 extra credit. 7.5 out of 10.
The Final Three!!! You Have Almost Made It!!!!!
Eagles/Joe Walsh - All Night Long
I have always thought this would be a great cover for The League Bowlers. The funny thing is that while it’s fun to listen to, it’s really boring to play. I think this is the best verse of any of the “All Night Long’s” to this point. Way to go, Joe. 8 out of 10.
“We keep on grinnin' ‘til the weekend comes / Just a pinch between your cheek and gum / All night long, all night long.”
The Mavericks - All Night Long
Losing Raul Malo was a huge blow. Click here for more I wrote on that sad subject. But his legacy will live on forever. If you had to play just one song to one person one time you could do worse than this gem. 10 out of 10.
Rainbow - All Night Long
Ok, this might be the dumbest version of the song, but it is also the most totally awesome-ist. Richie Blackmore broke up Deep Purple to start Rainbow with an upstart Ronnie James Dio. After three critically and mostly commercially successful records, Richie had enough lyrics about dragons & wizards and wanted to cash in on some of that easy stupid ‘70’s rock music everyone was getting rich off on. Thus, the confusing Graham Bonnet era began in 1979 and ended shortly after in 1980.
Graham may not have left a musical legacy like Dio or future Rainbow singer Joe Lynn Turner, but neither of them ever appeared in a video of this entertainment value. This song sounds more like KISS than the actual KISS. Hey Buckcherry…take notes…11 out of 10.
“I saw you standing down by the stage / Your black stockings and your see-through dress / Your mouth is open but I don't wanna hear you / Say good night / You're sorta young but you're over-age / I don't care 'cause I like your style / Don't know about your brain but you look alright.”
Colin Gawel wrote this at Colin’s Coffee. He founded Pencil Storm and his band Watershed has a bunch of stuff going on.
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