A somber reflection on the inescapable pain of a broken relationship.
There are songs that hit you like a punch to the gut, songs that don’t try to sugarcoat the harsh realities of life and love. Chris Norman‘s “Here Comes The Night” is one of those. While his work with the band Smokie often had a more upbeat, pop-rock sensibility, this track, released as part of his 1987 album Different Shades, delves into a raw, melancholic space that resonates deeply with anyone who has felt the slow, agonizing end of a relationship. It’s not a tale of a sudden, dramatic breakup, but rather the quiet, creeping despair of two people drifting apart. The title itself is a perfect metaphor—the night isn’t just the literal darkness; it’s the loneliness, the sadness, and the bitter truth that arrives when the distractions of the day fade and you’re left alone with your thoughts.
For those of us who came of age with Smokie‘s breezy harmonies and country-tinged rock, Chris Norman‘s solo career was a fascinating evolution. The gritty, distinctive rasp that was the band’s signature voice was now free to explore new territory. “Here Comes The Night,” co-written with his old Smokie bandmate Pete Spencer, showcases this beautifully. Unlike the version by the band Them which had a more frantic, R&B-infused energy, Norman’s interpretation is a masterclass in controlled heartache. The song didn’t achieve the same commercial heights as his blockbuster solo hit “Midnight Lady,” which topped charts across Europe, but its understated power has given it a long and cherished life among his devoted fans. It’s a song that might not have been a chart-topper everywhere, but it certainly became a cornerstone for those who appreciate the more intimate, vulnerable side of his artistry.
The song’s narrative is simple yet devastating. It’s a conversation with oneself, a painful realization that the love you once shared is gone. The lyrics speak of a time when the couple had a “fire burning,” a passion that’s now reduced to a lingering ember. Norman’s gravelly voice delivers the lines with a world-weariness that feels earned, not theatrical. When he sings, “And here comes the night / I’m losing the fight,” you don’t just hear the words; you feel the weight of his surrender. It’s the sound of a man who has fought to save something precious, only to accept its inevitable demise. This raw, emotional honesty is what makes the song so timeless. It’s a feeling we’ve all experienced: that moment when you stop fighting the current and let the tide of sorrow pull you under.
“Here Comes The Night” is a poignant reminder that not all love stories have a happy ending, and that sometimes, the most profound sadness comes not from a single event, but from the slow, quiet decay of what once was. It’s a song to be listened to alone, with a glass of something strong and a flood of memories. It’s for those moments when you look back and see the faded photographs, the ghost of a smile, and know that what you had is truly gone. It’s a testament to Chris Norman‘s skill as both a songwriter and a vocalist, proving that his talent extended far beyond the mainstream hits of the 70s. This song is a hidden gem in his discography, a quiet whisper in a world of loud anthems, and for those who have found it, a deeply personal and unforgettable piece of their own emotional history.