Many of us are perhaps more familiar with Elvis Presley’s version of the song, but this is the original one by The Drifters, which features Clyde McPhatter on the lead vocal. “Such a Night” was written by Lincoln Chase (“Jim Dandy,” “The Name Game,” “The Clapping Song”) and went to #2 on the American R&B chart in 1954 even though some radio stations banned it for being too suggestive. There have been numerous covers, including versions Johnnie Ray, which went to #1 on the U.K. Singles Chart in 1954 and #18 on the U.S. Cash Box chart. The Four Lovers, who later became The Four Seasons, had a version out in 1956.
Here are the lyrics to “Such a Night” by Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters:
Was a night mmm, what a night it was
It really was such a night
The moon was bright, Oh how bright it was
It really was such a night
The night was alive, with the stars above mmm
When she kissed me, I had to fall in love
It was a kiss mmm, what a kiss it was
It really was such a kiss
How she could kiss, ooo what a kiss it was
It really was such a kiss
Just part of her lips, could set me afire
I I I reminisce, and I’m filled with desire
I gave my heart to her in sweet surrender
How well I remember, I’ll always remember
Ooo that night, ooo what a night it was
It really was such a night
Came the dawn and my heart and my love
And the night was gone
But I’ll never forget her kiss in the moonlight
Ooouch a kiss ooo such a night
I gave my heart to her in sweet surrender
How well I remember, I’ll always remember
Ooo what a night, ooo what a night it was
It really was such a night
Came the dawn and my heart and her love
And the night was gone
But I know I’ll never forget her kiss in the moonlight
OO such a kiss ooo ooo such a night
Now she’s gone, gone, gone
Yes she’s gone, gone, gone
Came the dawn, dawn, dawn
And the night was gone
And my heart was gone
And her love was gone
And before that morn
Oh oooo such a night
For another song by Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters: “Money Honey.” For a song by Clyde McPhatter as a solo artist: “A Lover’s Question.”
Here is the version by Elvis Presley. He released on his 1960 album Elvis is Back. The single version went to #16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #13 on the U.K. chart.
For More Golden Oldies Music
The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop music, rock and roll hits, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Golden Oldies Juke Box Saturday Night, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.
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