About the song
“(Night Time Is) The Right Time” is a timeless classic that has been etched in the annals of music history. Recorded by the legendary Ray Charles on October 28, 1958, at the Atlantic Records studio in New York City, this soulful ballad has become an iconic staple of American music. The song’s origins can be traced back to the 1940s, when it was written by Lew Herman, also known as Herman Lubinsky, who was the owner of Nappy Brown’s record label.
Nappy Brown, the original artist who recorded the song, had a unique take on the tune, which he performed with a gospel group behind him. In contrast, Ray Charles’ version, titled “(Night Time Is) The Right Time”, was recorded with a slower tempo and featured Margie Hendrix and the Raelettes providing accompaniment to his soulful vocals. The song’s release as a single in 1959 reached number five on the Billboard R&B chart and number 95 on its Hot 100 chart, cementing its place in the music world.
Over the years, “(Night Time Is) The Right Time” has been featured in various films, television shows, and anthologies, including the iconic film “Ray” (2004) and the popular TV show “The Cosby Show”. In fact, the song’s rendition by Ray Charles was lip-synced by the Huxtable family in the show’s second season episode “Happy Anniversary”, which has become one of the most memorable moments in the series. The song’s enduring popularity has also led to its inclusion in various “greatest episodes of all time” lists, including TV Guide’s 1997 ranking of the top 100 episodes of all time.
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Lyrics
You know the night time, darling (night and day)
Is the right time (night and day)
To be (night and day)
With the one you love, now (night and day)
Say now oh baby (night and day)
When I come home baby, now (night and day)
I wanna be with the one I love, now (night and day)
You know what I’m thinking of (night and day)
I know the night time (night and day, oh)
Whoa, is the right time (night and day, oh)
To be with the one you love, now (night and day)
I said to be with the one you love (night and day)
You know my mother, now (night and day)
Had to die, now (night and day)
Umm, and my father (night and day)
Well he broke down and cry (night and day)
Whoah! whoa baby (night and day)
When I come home baby now (night and day)
I want you to hold my hand (night and day)
Yeah, tight as you can (night and day)
I know the night time (night and day, oh)
Whoah is the right time (night and day, oh)
To be with the one you love (night and day)
You know what I’m thinking of (night and day)
Whoah! sing your song, Margie
Baby (night and day)
Baby (night and day)
Baby (night and day)
Oh, baby (night and day)
Do I love you? (night and day)
No one above you (night and day)
Hold me tight (night and day)
And make everything all right (night and day)
Because the night time (night and day)
Oh, is the right time (night and day)
To be with the one you love now (night and day)
Oh yeah (night and day)
Tease me (night and day)
Squeeze me (night and day)
Leave me (night and day)
Ah, don’t leave me (night and day)
Lawdy baby (night and day)
Take my hand, now (night and day)
I don’t need (night and day)
No other man (night and day)
Because the night time (night and day)
Ow, is the right time (night and day)
To be with the one you love (night and day)
Oh yeah (night and day)
I said baby (night and day)
Baby (night and day)
Baby (night and day)
Whoah! baby now (night and day)
Oh come on baby (night and day)
You know I want you by my side (night and day)
I want you to keep (night and day)
Oh keep me satisfied (night and day)
I know the night time (night and day)
Everyday is the right time (night and day)
Yeah to be with the one you love now (night and day)
Well you know it’s all right