Released in January 1985 in the US and April 1985 in the UK, “One More Night” marked a pivotal moment in Phil Collins’ solo career. Following the massive success of tracks like “In the Air Tonight” and “Against All Odds,” Collins leaned into his strength for delivering emotional slow-burns. This track served as the lead single in the US and second single in the UK from his third solo album No Jacket Required, and its low-key vulnerability made it an instant classic.
Co-produced with Hugh Padgham, the song further established Collins as the era’s undisputed king of introspective pop ballads.
Born from improvisation
The track came together spontaneously. While messing around on a Roland TR-808 drum machine, Collins locked into the phrase “one more night” and quickly built a song around it. He later admitted it was one of the fastest tunes he’d written. The production is minimal but intentional—layered with a warm Yamaha DX7 electric piano, soft drum programming, and a melancholy alto sax solo from Don Myrick of the Phenix Horns.
Supporting Collins’ vocals and songwriting, the recording features Daryl Stuermer on guitar, Leland Sklar on bass, and string arrangements by Arif Mardin. Padgham’s production approach—“less is more”—allowed each element to breathe, giving the song its emotional heft.
Lyrics of quiet desperation
Collins’ songwriting is at its most tender here.
“One more night / Give me just one more night.” It’s a simple request, drenched in vulnerability. Rather than dramatic declarations, he delivers a soft plea for connection—making the song feel both personal and universal. The vocals are heartfelt without being overwrought, and that restraint is key to its power.
It’s not trying to impress; it just wants to be felt.
A barroom ballad in sepia tone
The music video, directed by Jim Yukich, places Collins in a lonely London bar—The Princess Victoria in Shepherd’s Bush—performing the song at a piano. Shot in sepia and echoing the visual mood of “Sussudio,” it’s understated and warm, matching the track’s quiet ache.
The visuals reinforce the narrative: a man reflecting, hoping, and staying late in places that feel emotionally familiar.
Chart success and global reach
“One More Night” climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, holding the number one spot for two weeks in March and April 1985. It also topped the US Adult Contemporary chart and Canada’s RPM Top Singles, becoming Collins’ second US chart-topper after “Against All Odds.” In the UK, it reached number four, and it performed strongly across Europe and Oceania—hitting number two in Australia, number five in New Zealand and Ireland, number six in Austria and Switzerland, and number ten in Germany.
The song earned Gold certifications in the US and New Zealand, and Silver in the UK and France, adding to Collins’ ever-growing wall of accolades. It was also featured in Martin Scorsese’s The Color of Money and included in every major Collins compilation, from Hits to Love Songs.