About the song
John Denver’s Late Nite Radio. A folksy gem that warms the soul on a lonely night, much like a crackling fire in a cozy cabin. Denver, a titan of American folk music, was known for his odes to nature, love, and the simple joys of life. But Late Nite Radio delves into a different kind of companionship – the one found in the flickering glow of the radio dial late at night.
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Composed by the songwriting duo Bill and Taffy Danoff, the song first appeared on their 1974 album ACES. Denver, recognizing its potential, covered it the following year on his iconic Windsong album. This inclusion propelled Late Nite Radio into the public consciousness, solidifying its place as a poignant anthem for anyone who’s ever found solace in the wee hours of the night.
The beauty of the song lies in its relatable simplicity. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of a world unseen by most: “There’s lonely hearts in Arkansas, there’s truckers in Des Moines / All there to keep me company in the early morn.” Denver’s gentle vocals weave a tapestry of connection, where distance dissolves on the airwaves. This “world unknown to daytime” becomes a haven for those awake when the rest of the world sleeps.
Late Nite Radio is a masterclass in capturing the essence of late-night radio. Denver masterfully portrays the act of turning the dial, a ritual familiar to many. We hear the news filtering through, a reminder of the world’s happenings, even as we seek solace in music. Then comes the search for “old songs,” a nostalgic yearning for times gone by. These familiar melodies evoke memories and spark the imagination, transporting the listener to a different time and place.
The late-night landscape isn’t all sentimental ballads, though. Denver throws in a touch of humor with the line, “The Lord is still my shepherd but these preachers got to go.” This cheeky wink acknowledges the variety of programming that fills the airwaves after dark, from religious sermons to the bizarre world of late-night talk shows.
Late Nite Radio isn’t just about companionship; it’s also about escape. Denver confesses, “This time of night my interest lies in UFO’s,” hinting at the fantastical stories and conspiracy theories that often find their way onto late-night radio. It’s a testament to the power of the medium to transport us beyond the everyday, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary.
Finally, as the night deepens, the song transitions to a search for a lullaby. The frenetic energy of the dial-spinning slows, replaced by a soothing melody that eases the listener into sleep. Late Nite Radio, our faithful companion throughout the night, bids us farewell until the next time loneliness or curiosity beckons us to turn on the dial and lose ourselves in the world of late-night radio.
Video
Lyrics
“Late Nite Radio”
There’s lonely hearts in Arkansas, there’s truckers in Des Moines
all there to keep me company in the early morn.
A world unknown to daytime is forever going on
the airways of the nation between midnight and the dawn.
Late nite radio, take it everywhere I go. My best friend when I’m lonely is my late nite radio.
Well I turn the dial, a little bit past one-o-one point two
in time to catch the news and see who’s shooting who.
Then I hunt around for old songs, they’re so good to hear again.
To think of how it was, imagine how it might have been.
Late nite radio, take it everywhere I go. My best friend when I’m lonely is my late nite radio.
La la la, I sing along ’cause I never know the words.
La la la la la la la la la, I’d love to call a talk show but I haven’t got the nerve.
La la la, oh oh oh, radio.
The Lord is still my shepherd but these preachers got to go.
This time of night my interest lies in UFO’s.
So I turn the dial a little past fifty-six point three to find myself a lullaby to rock me off to sleep.
Late nite radio, take it everywhere I go. My best friend when I’m lonely is my late nite radio.
Late nite radio, take it everywhere I go. My best friend when I’m lonely is my late nite radio.