About The Song
In 1983, we witnessed one of the biggest collaborations in the music industry. It was when American country star Kenny Rogers teamed up with Scottish pop star Sheena Easton to record “We’ve Got Tonight.”
Both Easton and Rogers were on the roster of EMI America-Liberty Records. Their collaboration on “We’ve Got Tonight” was firmly suggested by the label chairman, Larry Mazza, who was hoping to restore Easton to chart ascendancy.
Rogers personally called Easton to pitch their duet on December 23, 1982. “I liked the idea of recording with Sheena. I thought the contrast in styles–I’m so throaty, and she’s so trained and pure–would really work well,” he said. And finally, on Christmas Eve, the two singers rehearsed the song with a piano. After the ten-day recording session, “We’ve Got Tonight” was released, and it soared up high in the charts.
It became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Singles chart and reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It even reached the top 30 in the United Kingdom.
And as it was hoped for, “We’ve Got Tonight” helped Easton earn a unique distinction and mounted a successful career on Billboard’s charts. In March 1985, Billboard Magazine presented her with a special award, honoring her as the first artist to crack the Top Five on the publication’s pop, country, adult contemporary, dance, and black music charts.
Rogers died on March 20 at age 81. “It was a privilege to work with Kenny,” Easton told Billboard. “His voice was unique, and his talent made every note seem effortless. I learned so much just watching him work, and I will be forever grateful that he touched my life and made it better. He will be missed.”
“We’ve Got Tonight” was written by American rock music artist Bob Seger from his 1978 album Stranger in Town. The song was actually developed from an earlier song that he had written titled “This Old House,” which featured the same chords but a slightly different melody.
Seger overhauled “This Old House” into “We’ve Got Tonite” the day after seeing the 1973 film, The Sting, which featured a conversation between Robert Redford’s character and a woman he’s attracted to played by Dimitra Arliss. Arliss said: “I don’t even know you,” to which Redford responded: “You know me. It’s two in the morning, and I don’t know nobody.” This particular scene caused an emotional response in Seger to overhaul the song lyrics.
“We’ve Got Tonite” was not recorded until the 1976 sessions for Seger’s album Night Moves. However, it was held off as Seger felt it was not fit for the album’s theme. Finally, “We’ve Got Tonite” served as the third single for Seger’s album Stranger in Town. The single record charted twice for Seger.
ASCAP honored the song as the Most Performed Country Song of 1983 after it was rebranded as a Country & Western song, thanks to Rogers and Easton duet. Seger personally acknowledged the honor by attending the October 1984 ASCAP Country Music Awards event held at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.
Several other big artists also released their own versions. Dottie West remade “We’ve Got Tonight” for her album “Special Delivery,” and Conway Twitty also cut it for his “Heart And Soul.” In 2002, we heard another incredible duet, thanks to Ronan Keating and Scottish singer Lulu’s rendition.
Video
Lyrics
I know it’s late
I know you’re weary
And I know your plans don’t include me
Still, here we are, both of us lonely
Longing for shelter from all that we see
Why should we worry? No one will care girl
Look at the stars now, so far away
We’ve got tonight
Who needs tomorrow?
We’ve got tonight, babe
Why don’t you stay?
Deep in my soul
I’ve been so lonely
All of my hopes fading away
I’ve longed for love
Like everyone else does
I know I’ll keep searching after today
So there it is girl
We’ve got it all now
And here we are, babe
What do you say?
We’ve got tonight
Who needs tomorrow?
We’ve got tonight, babe
Why don’t we stay?
I know it’s late and I know you’re weary
I know your plans don’t include me (still here we are)
Both of us lonely
Both of us lonely
We’ve got tonight
Who needs tomorrow?
Let’s make it last
Let’s find a way
Turn out the light
Come take my hand now
We’ve got tonight, babe
Why don’t we stay?
We’ve got tonight, babe
Why don’t we stay?