- Album This song officially appears on the Goodnight Tonight / Daytime Nightime Suffering 7" Single.
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Backing track for "Goodnight Tonight"
Feb 06, 1978
December 1978 - February 1979
Related interviews
Paul McCartney by Paul Gambaccini
Mar 30, 1979 • From RollingStone
Winter 1994 • From Club Sandwich
Ex-Wings guitarist, Laurence Juber, talks about attending "Paul McCartney University"
Aug 09, 2010 • From Daytrippin' Beatles Magazine
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Song facts
That was all based round some rhythm. I do like dance records: when you listen to records, you’re often down a club and want to dance with someone – I like dancin’, actually!
Paul McCartney, from Club Sandwich N°47/48, Spring 1988
From Wikipedia:
“Goodnight Tonight” is a single by the band Wings notable for its disco-inflected sound and spirited flamenco guitar break. It peaked at number five in both the United Kingdom and United States during 1979.
Recording
“Goodnight Tonight” began as an instrumental backing track McCartney had recorded in 1978. Needing a single for Wings to accompany the Back to the Egg album, McCartney took out the track and brought it into the studio, where the full Wings line-up completed it. Laine and Juber added electric guitars, mirroring Paul’s parts and Holley added percussion, while the whole band sang in the chorus. Since the track was over seven minutes long, an edited version was used as the single, with the full version available as a 12-inch single. A music video was made for the song, showing Wings performing in 1930s costumes; stills from the video were used on the single’s sleeve. In the US, the single was the first released under McCartney’s new deal with Columbia Records.
Release
The track did not appear on Wings’ then-current album Back to the Egg (from which sessions this song was recorded), as McCartney felt it did not fit the theme of the LP; it was later included on the McCartney compilations All the Best! (1987), Wingspan: Hits and History (2001) and Pure McCartney (2016). The 7″ version was released as a bonus track on the 1993 remastered CD of McCartney II, as part of The Paul McCartney Collection. The B-side of this single was “Daytime Nighttime Suffering”. An extended version of the song appears on a digital iTunes re-issue of Back to the Egg.
Charts and reception
“Goodnight Tonight” was an international hit, reaching number five on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. John Lennon, McCartney’s former songwriting partner, later commented that he did not care for the song, but enjoyed McCartney’s bass guitar on the single. The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies.
References in popular culture
The song was featured in the 2010 film Grown Ups.
Last updated on March 22, 2020
Lyrics
Don't get too tired for love
Don't let it end
Don't say goodnight to love
It may never be the same again
Don't say it!
Don't say it!
Say anything but, don't say goodnight tonight
Don't say it!
Don't say it!
Say anything but, don't say goodnight tonight
Don't say it!
Don't say it!
You can say anything but, don't say goodnight tonight
Don't say it!
Don't say it!
Say anything but, don't say goodnight tonight
Don't say it!
Don't say it!
Say anything but, don't say goodnight tonight
Don't get too tired for love
Don't let it end
Don't say goodnight to love
It's a feeling that may never end
Don't say it!
Don't say it!
Say anything but, don't say goodnight tonight
Don't say it!
Don't say it!
Say anything but, don't say goodnight tonight
Officially appears on
Official album • Released in 1979
7:25 • Studio version • A2 • Long version
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Percussion, Synthesizers, Tambourine, Vocals, Vocoder
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Laurence Juber :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Steve Holley :
- Backing vocals, Clay-hand drums, Percussion
- Session Recording:
- February 6, 1978
- Studio :
- Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Overdubs:
- December 1978 - February 1979
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
- Session Mixing:
- Between Jan 23 and Feb 9, 1978
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon
Official album • Released in 1979
4:22 • Studio version • A • Short version
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Percussion, Synthesizers, Tambourine, Vocals, Vocoder
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Laurence Juber :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Steve Holley :
- Backing vocals, Clay-hand drums, Percussion
- Session Recording:
- February 6, 1978
- Studio :
- Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Overdubs:
- December 1978 - February 1979
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
- Session Mixing:
- Between Jan 23 and Feb 9, 1978
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon
Goodnight Tonight / Daytime Nightime Suffering
12" Single • Released in 1979
4:22 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Percussion, Synthesizers, Tambourine, Vocals, Vocoder
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Laurence Juber :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Steve Holley :
- Backing vocals, Clay-hand drums, Percussion
- Session Recording:
- February 6, 1978
- Studio :
- Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Overdubs:
- December 1978 - February 1979
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
- Session Mixing:
- Between Jan 23 and Feb 9, 1978
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon
7" Single • Released in 1979
4:22 • Studio version • A1 • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Percussion, Synthesizers, Tambourine, Vocals, Vocoder
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Laurence Juber :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Steve Holley :
- Backing vocals, Clay-hand drums, Percussion
- Session Recording:
- February 6, 1978
- Studio :
- Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Overdubs:
- December 1978 - February 1979
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
- Session Mixing:
- Between Jan 23 and Feb 9, 1978
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon
7" Single • Released in 1979
4:22 • Studio version • A • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Percussion, Synthesizers, Tambourine, Vocals, Vocoder
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Laurence Juber :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Steve Holley :
- Backing vocals, Clay-hand drums, Percussion
- Session Recording:
- February 6, 1978
- Studio :
- Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Overdubs:
- December 1978 - February 1979
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
- Session Mixing:
- Between Jan 23 and Feb 9, 1978
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon
Goodnight Tonight / Daytime Nightime Suffering
7" Single • Released in 1979
4:22 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Percussion, Synthesizers, Tambourine, Vocals, Vocoder
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Laurence Juber :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Steve Holley :
- Backing vocals, Clay-hand drums, Percussion
- Session Recording:
- February 6, 1978
- Studio :
- Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Overdubs:
- December 1978 - February 1979
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
- Session Mixing:
- Between Jan 23 and Feb 9, 1978
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon
Official album • Released in 1987
4:22 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Percussion, Synthesizers, Tambourine, Vocals, Vocoder
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Laurence Juber :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Steve Holley :
- Backing vocals, Clay-hand drums, Percussion
- Session Recording:
- February 6, 1978
- Studio :
- Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Overdubs:
- December 1978 - February 1979
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
- Session Mixing:
- Between Jan 23 and Feb 9, 1978
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon
Official album • Released in 1993
4:22 • Studio version • A1993 • 1993 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Percussion, Synthesizers, Tambourine, Vocals, Vocoder
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Laurence Juber :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Steve Holley :
- Backing vocals, Clay-hand drums, Percussion
- Session Recording:
- February 6, 1978
- Studio :
- Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Overdubs:
- December 1978 - February 1979
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
- Session Mixing:
- Between Jan 23 and Feb 9, 1978
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon
Wingspan Hits And History (US version)
Official album • Released in 2001
4:22 • Studio version • A2001 • 2001 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Percussion, Synthesizers, Tambourine, Vocals, Vocoder
- Linda McCartney :
- Backing vocals
- Denny Laine :
- Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Laurence Juber :
- Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Electric guitar
- Steve Holley :
- Backing vocals, Clay-hand drums, Percussion
- Session Recording:
- February 6, 1978
- Studio :
- Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland
- Session Overdubs:
- December 1978 - February 1979
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
- Session Mixing:
- Between Jan 23 and Feb 9, 1978
- Studio :
- Replica Studio, Soho Square, London
Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon
Bootlegs
Live performances
“Goodnight Tonight” has been played in 20 concerts.
Latest concerts where Goodnight Tonight has been played
Dec 31, 2013 • • St Barts
Sep 08, 2012 • United Kingdom • London • Granary Square
Concert For The People of Kampuchea
Dec 29, 1979 • United Kingdom • London • Hammersmith Odeon
Glasgow • Apollo Centre • United Kingdom
Dec 17, 1979 • Part of Wings 1979 UK Tour
Glasgow • Apollo Centre • United Kingdom
Dec 16, 1979 • Part of Wings 1979 UK Tour
Going further
Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989
With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.
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He has played this in concert - 1979 and 2012
Thanks @peter - you're right, and there was a bug !! Now fixed. See above. Thanks a lot !
The 7 minute version of Goodnight Tonight appears up on the original 12” Goodnight Tonight/Daytime Nighttime Suffering single, not the regular version