music
February 26, 2026
The fateful tape recording: How the legendary hit "Because the Night" was made
Patti Smith, the punk rock icon, revealed in an emotional conversation how the song that defined her career almost went unheard and why, as soon as she heard the first notes, she knew she had a worldwide hit in front of her.
TL;DR
- Patti Smith almost didn't listen to "Because the Night" because she wanted the album to reflect her band's work.
- Producer Jimmy Iovine persistently encouraged Smith to listen to the song, which was originally started by Bruce Springsteen.
- Smith recognized the song's potential as a hit immediately upon hearing it.
- Springsteen wrote the chorus, while Smith wrote the verses, inspired by her love for Fred "Sonic" Smith.
- The song's key (A major) was also in Smith's preferred key, further solidifying her decision to record it.
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