Dark Is the Night for All explained

Dark Is the Night for All
Cover:Darkisthenight.jpg
Type:single
Artist:A-ha
Album:Memorial Beach
Released:24 May 1993
Recorded:1993
Studio:Paisley Park, Chanhassen, Minnesota, US
Genre:Alternative rock
Length:3:46
Label:Warner Bros.
Producer:
Prev Title:Move to Memphis
Prev Year:1991
Next Title:Angel
Next Year:1993

"Dark Is the Night for All" is a song by Norwegian band A-ha, released on 24 May 1993 by Warner Bros. as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Memorial Beach (1993). The song was written by Pål Waaktaar and produced by the band with David Z. Like the rest of Memorial Beach album, the song was recorded at Prince's Paisley Park Studios. This was also the last A-ha single to be released in the United States.[1] There are two versions of the music video, directed by Erick Ifergan;[2] the first version was banned due to disturbing scenes, including Morten Harket's face ripping through the skin of his abdomen. The second version features more scenes of the band. Overall, the video shows people in various forms of bondage and reflects the dark time A-ha was going through at the time.

Critical reception

A reviewer from Music & Media wrote, "Like Depeche Mode, A-ha is no longer strictly synth. A little bit of rock is injected, while the vocals are Bono-esque."[3] Alan Jones from Music Week said, "The Norwegian former teen idols return, this time sounding rather like a low-rent but pleasant U2 hybrid." He added that the song is "less immediate but more substantial than much of their work", and "a grower that could do very well."[4] Tony Cross from Smash Hits gave it three out of five, commenting, "After disappearing up a Fjord for a few years, Morten is back - as Bono! This U2-esque blockbuster is immediately appealing - with its quiet piano, soft and sad-sounding Morten, and a grand sweeping guitar riff that is immediately likeable."[5] In the review of Memorial Beach, Cross also named "Dark Is the Night for All" the "best thing" on the album.[6]

Track listings

  1. "Dark Is the Night for All" (Album Version) – 3:45
  2. "Angel in the Snow" (Instrumental) – 4:15
  1. "Dark Is the Night for All" – 3:44
  2. "I've Been Losing You"/"Cry Wolf" (Live) – 9:07
  3. "Angel in the Snow" (Instrumental) – 4:15
  1. "Dark Is the Night for All" – 3:45
  2. "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." – 5:06
  3. "Hunting High and Low" (Remix) – 3:38
  4. "Crying in the Rain" – 4:25

Charts

Chart performance for "Dark Is the Night for All"
Chart (1993)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] 37
Europe (European Hit Radio)[8] 10
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[9] 38
UK Airplay (Music Week)[10] 22

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dark Is The Night (24.05.93) . https://web.archive.org/web/20010224083255/http://www.darsu.btinternet.co.uk/discography/A-ha/ditn.htm . 24 February 2001.
  2. Web site: Erick Ifergan. IMDb. 10 April 2024.
  3. New Releases: Singles. Music & Media. 10. 22. 29 May 1993. 14. 24 October 2021.
  4. Alan . Jones . Market Preview: Mainstream – Singles . . 29 May 1993 . 11 . 0265-1548 . World Radio History.
  5. Tony. Cross. New Singles. Smash Hits. 26 May 1993. 47. 15 December 2022.
  6. Tony. Cross. New Albums. Smash Hits. 9 June 1993. 51. 15 December 2022.
  7. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 10. 25. 19 June 1993. 19. 29800226. World Radio History.
  8. EHR Top 40. Music & Media. 10. 25. 19 June 1993. 22. 9 April 2024.
  9. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 – Vikan 22.–28. júlí. DV. is. 22 July 1993. 20. 1021-8254. Timarit.is.
  10. Top 50 Airplay Chart. Music Week. 26 June 1993. 22. 30 April 2024.

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