Every Night: The Songwriting Legacy of Paul McCartney and its Various Covers
Written by the legendary Paul McCartney, "Every Night" has evolved into a versatile piece of songwriting, interpreted by a diverse array of artists across several decades. While McCartney provided the composition, the song's journey through the music industry highlights the varying fortunes of different artists and the global reach of a well-crafted melody.
Phoebe Snow's Interpretation
In 1978, singer Phoebe Snow recorded "Every Night" for her album Against the Grain. Snow has since reflected on the album as a "disaster," describing it as an attempt to create a rock album that suffered from too many conflicting opinions from those involved in the production. Despite her criticisms of the overall project, Snow noted that including "Every Night" was one of the few personal ideas that successfully made it through the production process.
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Released as the lead single in November 1978 via Columbia Records, the track was produced by Phil Ramone and Barry Beckett and recorded at A&R Recording in New York City. While it failed to become a major hit in the United States—peaking at #129 on the Record World Singles Chart 101–150 over twelve weeks—it found significant success internationally.
International Chart Success
Contrary to its U.S. performance, "Every Night" became a notable success for Phoebe Snow in other markets. It stands as her only charting single in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at #37. It also performed strongly in Australia, reaching #22 on the ARIA singles chart, and achieved a peak of #6 in New Zealand, matching the success of her 1977 single "Shakey Ground."
Other Notable Versions and Covers
Beyond Phoebe Snow, several other artists have lent their voices to "Every Night," showcasing the song's adaptability across genres.
- Billy Joe Royal: Released a single version in August 1970. This recording is historically significant as the first release recorded at Studio One in Doraville, though it only reached #113 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
- The Drifters: Included the song on their LP The Drifters Now and the compilation 24 Original Hits from 1975.
- The 5th Dimension: Featured the track on their 1971 album Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes.
- Odetta: Recorded the song for her 1970 album Odetta Sings.
- Claudine Longet: Included it on the 1972 album Let's Spend the Night Together.
- Richie Havens: Covered the song on his 1980 album Connections.
- Modern Tributes: The song appeared on the 2009 McCartney tribute album Looking for Change performed by Carry The Zero, and was covered by Jamie Cullum on The Art of McCartney in 2014.
Key Facts
- Songwriter: Paul McCartney.
- Phoebe Snow Release: November 1978 (Lead single from Against the Grain).
- Phoebe Snow Peak Positions: #6 (New Zealand), #22 (Australia), #37 (UK).
- Recording Studio: A&R Recording (NYC) for the Snow version.
- First Studio One Release: Billy Joe Royal's 1970 version.
- Genre: Rock.
Summary of Phoebe Snow's "Every Night"
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 1978 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Length | 3:32 |
| Producers | Phil Ramone, Barry Beckett |
| B-sides | "Random Time" / "Keep a Watch on the Shoreline" (UK) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote the song "Every Night"?
The song was written by Paul McCartney.
How did Phoebe Snow feel about the album containing "Every Night"?
Phoebe Snow described the album Against the Grain as a "disaster" that had too many opinions, though she felt that including "Every Night" was one of the few successful ideas that survived the process.
Which country saw the highest chart position for Phoebe Snow's version?
New Zealand saw the highest chart position, where the song peaked at #6.
What is the historical significance of Billy Joe Royal's version?
Billy Joe Royal's August 1970 release is notable for being the first recording released from Studio One in Doraville.
Which other artists have covered "Every Night"?
The song has been covered by a wide range of artists including Odetta, The 5th Dimension, Claudine Longet, The Drifters, Richie Havens, Carry The Zero, and Jamie Cullum.