| "Southern Nights" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byAllen Toussaint | ||||
| from the albumSouthern Nights | ||||
| B-side | "Out of the City" | |||
| Released | May 1975 | |||
| Recorded | 1975 | |||
| Studio | Sea-Saint Studio, New Orleans | |||
| Genre | New Orleans R&B | |||
| Length | 3:35 | |||
| Label | Reprise | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Allen Toussaint | |||
| Producer(s) | Allen Touissaint,Marshall Sehorn | |||
| Allen Toussaint singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| "Southern Nights" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byGlen Campbell | ||||
| from the albumSouthern Nights | ||||
| B-side | "William Tell Overture" | |||
| Released | January 17, 1977 | |||
| Recorded | October 2, 1976 | |||
| Studio | Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:00 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Allen Toussaint | |||
| Producer(s) | Gary Klein | |||
| Glen Campbell singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Southern Nights" is a song written and performed by American musicianAllen Toussaint, from his 1975 album,Southern Nights, and later recorded by Americancountry music singerGlen Campbell. It was the first single released from Campbell's 1977 album,Southern Nights, and reached No. 1 on three separate US charts.
The lyrics of "Southern Nights" were inspired by childhood memories Allen Toussaint had of visiting relatives in theLouisiana backwoods, which often entailedstorytelling under star-filled nighttime skies.[3] When Campbell heard Toussaint's version, he immediately identified with the lyrics which reminded him of his own youth growing up on anArkansas farm. In October 1976, Campbell recorded the song with slightly modified lyrics.[3]
In 1977, "Southern Nights" song was nominated forSong of the Year by theCountry Music Association.[4]
Released as a single by Campbell in January 1977, "Southern Nights" immediately caught on with both country and pop audiences. The song featured a unique guitar lick that Campbell had learned from friendJerry Reed. In late March, "Southern Nights" spent two weeks at No. 1 on theBillboard magazineHot Country Singles chart marking it Campbell's fifth and final No. 1 country hit.[5]
In late April, the track reached No. 1 on theBillboard Hot 100 pop chart marking Campbell's second and last No. 1 pop hit.
The song also spent four weeks at No. 1 on theHot Adult Contemporary chart marking Campbell's seventh hit on the chart.[6]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[18] | Gold | 75,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[19] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[20] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
The song is featured in the 1978 filmConvoy and is featured in the film’s soundtrack.
The song is featured in the 2017 filmGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and further included on thefilm's soundtrack album.[21]
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