"Give Me the Night" is a song by American jazz musician George Benson, from his studio album of the same name (1980). It was written and composed by former Heatwave keyboard player Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. Patti Austin provides the backing and scat vocals that are heard throughout.[2] Lee Ritenour also appears on the track. The song was a commercial success, becoming Benson's first single to hit number one on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart. It also peaked at number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it his most successful pop entry.[3] It also peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Disco Singles chart.[4] It also peaked at number seven in the Official UK Singles Chart[
Charts[]
| Chart (1980) | Peak
position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 10 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] | 11 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles[8] | 22 |
| France (SNEP)[9] | 3 |
| Irish Singles Chart[10] | 15 |
| Italy (FIMI)[11] | 8 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[12] | 8 |
| Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[13] | 9 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] | 4 |
| Norway (VG-lista)[15] | 8 |
| South African Chart[16] | 5 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[17] | 7 |
| UK (Official Charts Company)[5] | 7 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[18] | 4 |
| U.S. BillboardHot Dance Club Play[18] | 2 |
| U.S. BillboardHot R&B Singles[18] | 1 |
Track listing[]
- Warner Bros. WBS 49505 (US, 7")[19]
- "Give Me the Night"
- "Dinorah, Dinorah"
- Qwest/Warner Bros. K 17673 (UK, 7")[20]
- "Give Me the Night"
- "Breezin'"
- Warner Bros. LV 40 (US, 12")[21]
- "Give Me the Night" (long version)
- "The World Is a Ghetto"
- "Breezin'"
Randy Crawford cover[]
American singer Randy Crawford also covered the song in 1995, later releasing it as a single.
Track listing[]
- Bluemoon Recordings 0-95660 (US)[22]
- "Give Me the Night" (Mousse T.'s Old Skool Mix)
- "Give Me the Night" (Chocolate City Mix)
- "Give Me the Night" (Chill Night Mix)
- "Give Me the Night" (Mousse T.'s Classic Club Mix)
- "Give Me the Night" (Peter's Vocal Remix)
- "Give Me the Night" (Mousse T.'s Late Night Dub)
- WEA International WEA 142 T (UK)[23]
- "Give Me the Night" (Mousse T.'s Classic Club Mix)
- "Give Me the Night" (Mousse T.'s Classic Club Instrumental)
- "Give Me the Night" (Mousse T.'s Old Skool Mix)
- "Give Me the Night" (Radio Mix)
Use in other media[]
The song was featured in a Ferrero Rocher commercial in the early 2000s and created an online cult following, as this version was never available for purchase and encompassed more of an ambient vibe.[citation needed]
The song was also used in the French film Brice de Nice.