About the song
“Late Nite Radio” is a country song that tells the story of a man who is struggling to sleep. He turns on the radio to try to relax, but he finds himself drawn to the stories of the people who are calling in. The song is a celebration of the power of radio and the human connection.
The song begins with Denver singing about how he cannot sleep. He is restless and his mind is racing. He turns on the radio in hopes of finding something to distract him.
The song’s chorus is a simple but effective description of the power of radio: “Late nite radio, it’s my only friend. Late nite radio, it keeps me company.“
The rest of the song tells the stories of the people who are calling in to the radio show. There is a woman who is calling from a lonely hotel room, a man who is driving across the country, and a child who is afraid of the dark. Denver sings about how the radio connects these people and provides them with a sense of community.
“Late Nite Radio” is a beautiful and heartwarming song about the power of radio and the human connection. It is a classic country song that has been covered by many artists, including Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Emmylou Harris.
Here are some additional details about the song:
- Genre: Country
- Release Date: 1971
- Album: Poems, Prayers, and Promises
- Label: RCA Records
- Songwriters: John Denver
- Producer: Milt Okun
- Music Video Director: N/A
Critical Reception:
- “Late Nite Radio” was a critical and commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- The song was praised for its beautiful melody and its heartwarming lyrics.
Commercial Success:
- “Late Nite Radio” was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- The song was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1972.
Legacy:
- “Late Nite Radio” is a classic country song that has been covered by many artists, including Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Emmylou Harris.
- The song is considered to be one of the greatest country songs of all time.
Video
Lyrics
“Late Nite Radio”
There’s lonely hearts in Arkansas, there’s truckers in Des Moines
all there to keep me company in the early morn.
A world unknown to daytime is forever going on
the airways of the nation between midnight and the dawn.
Late nite radio, take it everywhere I go. My best friend when I’m lonely is my late nite radio.Well I turn the dial, a little bit past one-o-one point two
in time to catch the news and see who’s shooting who.
Then I hunt around for old songs, they’re so good to hear again.
To think of how it was, imagine how it might have been.
Late nite radio, take it everywhere I go. My best friend when I’m lonely is my late nite radio.
La la la, I sing along ’cause I never know the words.
La la la la la la la la la, I’d love to call a talk show but I haven’t got the nerve.
La la la, oh oh oh, radio.The Lord is still my shepherd but these preachers got to go.
This time of night my interest lies in UFO’s.
So I turn the dial a little past fifty-six point three to find myself a lullaby to rock me off to sleep.
Late nite radio, take it everywhere I go. My best friend when I’m lonely is my late nite radio.
Late nite radio, take it everywhere I go. My best friend when I’m lonely is my late nite radio.