Dave Dudley is best-known for his trucker songs including "Six Days on the Road" and "Truck Drivin' Son-of-a-Gun". His duet with Tom T. Hall called "Day Drinking" demonstrated that he was not limited to trucking songs. He is one of the best-known singers of the truck-driving era in country music and was one of the icons in this category.
Dave was born in 1928 in Spencer, Wisconsin. He had a short career as a semi-professional baseball player. After he suffered an arm injury he was no longer able to play baseball. He then decided to pursue a career in country music. He was one of the earliest artists to record for National Recording Corporation on the NRC label.
He first appeared on the Country charts in 1961 with the song "Maybe I Do," released by Vee Records. He later moved to Golden Wing Records. Two years later, in 1963, the label released the single "Six Days on the Road". In 1963, Dudley moved on to Mercury records. Dave Dudley continued to have success into the 1970s. He continued to record for Mercury Records.
In the 1980s, Dave Dudley continued to record, but not as much as he once had. He remained popular in concert. In total, Dudley recorded more than 70 albums. However, he did not manage to reclaim his past success, and neither his single "Where's that Truck?", recorded with DJ Charlie Douglas, nor the track "Dave Dudley, American Trucker", recorded in 2002 in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, helped revive his career.
Dudley died on December 22, 2003 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Wisconsin.
This Night
Dave Dudley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Their streets're just too dark for walking and I'm in no condition to ride
This midnight rider lost his saddle and I'm in no mood for thinking
I need some liquid consolation this night ain't fit for nothing but drinking
Now honey I know your reputation I know the drinks that you can fix
Don't get your fingers frosted trying the way I drink it comes already mixed
This weather's just right for drowning I wanna wash that memory sinking
Bring me one more before the crowd comes this night ain't fit for nothing but drinking
I might fall in love again tomorrow you'll never really get too blue to learn
My baby's gone the rain is falling there's not a single star out winking
So come on elbow do your number this night ain't fit for nothing but drinking
This night ain't fit for nothing but drinking
The lyrics of Dave Dudley's song This Night describe a man's desperate need for alcohol to cope with a painful experience. He is roaming around the streets with no clear direction and looking for a bar to satisfy his longing for a stiff drink. As a rider, he refers to himself as having lost his saddle, which is a metaphor for losing his self-control and being in a state of despair. He further mentions that he is in no mood for thinking, which intensifies the depth of his emotional distress.
The mood of the song is quite gloomy and somber, with a tone of melancholy that reflects the singer's state of mind. He refers to the night as unsuitable for anything good but drinking, acknowledging that his troubles have pushed him to the point where he can't find joy in anything else.
Overall, the lyrics of This Night by Dave Dudley are a poignant representation of the struggle with alcoholism and the need for escapism that can occur during times of emotional pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey lady I'm looking for a jukebox and a barstool that fits my bottom side
I am in search of a bar where I can sit comfortably and listen to music.
Their streets're just too dark for walking and I'm in no condition to ride
The streets are too dark for me to walk, and I am not able to ride a vehicle either.
This midnight rider lost his saddle and I'm in no mood for thinking
I am frustrated and not in the mood to think since I have lost everything precious to me.
I need some liquid consolation this night ain't fit for nothing but drinking
I need a drink to overcome this emotional turmoil because this night is not suitable for anything other than drinking.
Now honey I know your reputation I know the drinks that you can fix
I am familiar with the kind of drinks you prepare based on your reputation.
Don't get your fingers frosted trying the way I drink it comes already mixed
You don't need to go through all the trouble of making me a drink as I prefer a simple, straightforward drink.
This weather's just right for drowning I wanna wash that memory sinking
The weather is suitable for getting drunk, and I want to drink to forget a painful memory.
Bring me one more before the crowd comes this night ain't fit for nothing but drinking
Please give me one more drink before the crowd comes because this night is not meant for anything except drinking.
I wish I had a light to fly by I know I'm bound to crash and burn
I wish I had some guidance to follow as I know that my life is heading towards destruction.
I might fall in love again tomorrow you'll never really get too blue to learn
I might find love again in the future, and you can never be too sad to learn a lesson from your mistakes.
My baby's gone the rain is falling there's not a single star out winking
The person I loved has left me, it is raining outside, and there is no light to guide me through these dark times.
So come on elbow do your number this night ain't fit for nothing but drinking
So, let me drink my sorrows away, because this night is not suitable for anything else.
This night ain't fit for nothing but drinking
This night is too painful to do anything else except drink.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Howell Osborne
Very nice, enjoyed it very much.
~Howell
Clint Taylor
Before the days of country music videos there were Tom T. Hall songs. This track is from Dudley's 1970 album The Pool Shark. Play this cut from the vinyl Lp and you will actually smell alcohol!
Károlyné Szépvölgyi
Kedves Jack nagyon tetszett ez a dal, az énekes fantasztikus,
Örömmel hallgattam, pedig már nálunk éjjel egy óra múlt négy perccel.
Ez nálam a zene szeretete, Köszönettel Klára Szépvölgyi.
J.W. Gauntt
you're welcome Clare, glad you enjoyed it
i appreciate the listen