Night Song
Nina Simone Lyrics


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Summer,
Not a bit of breeze,
Neon signs are shining,
Through the tired trees,
Lovers,
Walking to and fro,
Everyone has someone,
And a place to go
Now listen,
Hear the cars go past,
They don't even see me,
Flying by so fast,
Moving,
Going who knows where,
Only thing I know is,
I'm not going there
Where do you go,
When you feel that your brain is on fire,
Where do you go when you don't even know
What it is you desire,
Listen
Laughter everywhere,
Hear it
Life is in the air,
As the night comes
And the town awaits,
Sound o' children calling
And the squeal of brakes,
Music
But a lonely sound




When you can't help wond'ring
Where do I belong

Overall Meaning

The song "Night Song" by Nina Simone paints a vivid picture of a summer night in the city. The lyrics convey a sense of loneliness and isolation as the singer observes lovers walking by, people going about their lives, and cars rushing past without noticing her. The refrain "where do you go" suggests a feeling of being lost and searching for a place to belong. The contrast between the joyous sounds of laughter, children playing, and music in the city and the singer's own sense of sadness emphasizes the theme of alienation.


The imagery in the song is powerful, with the neon signs shining through the tired trees and the squeal of brakes adding to the sense of urgency and dislocation. The repetition of the line "where do you go" creates a haunting refrain that lingers in the mind, echoing the singer's own sense of longing and confusion. The minor key and slow tempo emphasize the melancholic mood of the song, evoking a sense of sadness and yearning.


Overall, "Night Song" is a beautifully crafted reflection on the experience of loneliness and the search for belonging in a crowded, bustling city. It invites the listener to reflect on their own sense of place and purpose, and to consider the ways in which we all experience feelings of isolation and longing at times.


Line by Line Meaning

Summer,
The season of summer brings warmth and light to the world.


Not a bit of breeze,
The air is still and stagnant, with no movement or relief from the heat.


Neon signs are shining,
The bright, colorful lights of the city illuminate the night sky.


Through the tired trees,
The trees have lost their energy and are no longer lively or green.


Lovers,
Couples walk and share intimate moments together.


Walking to and fro,
The lovers move back and forth, without any particular destination or purpose.


Everyone has someone,
Most people have found someone to share their life with.


And a place to go
They also have somewhere to go, a sense of direction and purpose.


Now listen,
Pay attention and tune in to your surroundings.


Hear the cars go past,
The noisy cars rush by, with no regard for the people around them.


They don't even see me,
The cars don't acknowledge the presence of the singer or anyone else on the street.


Flying by so fast,
The cars are moving quickly and recklessly, with no regard for safety or caution.


Moving,
The world around the singer is constantly changing and moving forward.


Going who knows where,
The world is full of uncertainty and unpredictability, with no clear direction or destination.


Only thing I know is,
The only certainty is that the singer herself is not going in the same direction as the world around her.


I'm not going there
The singer is rejecting the fast-paced, directionless world around her, and instead chooses to forge her own path.


Where do you go,
The singer wonders where others turn to when they are lost and directionless.


When you feel that your brain is on fire,
The singer is referring to the intense feelings of confusion and uncertainty that can arise in human experience.


Where do you go when you don't even know
The singer questions the universal feeling of not knowing one's purpose or direction in life.


What it is you desire,
The singer wonders how humans can find what they want out of life when they are constantly pulled in different directions.


Listen
The singer urges her audience to pay close attention to the world around them.


Laughter everywhere,
The joyful sound of laughter fills the night air, representing the positive aspects of life.


Hear it
The singer urges her audience to listen and appreciate the beauty of the world.


Life is in the air,
The energy and vibrancy of life are palpable and tangible.


As the night comes
The darkness of night provides a canvas for the unique aspects of life to show through.


And the town awaits,
The city is full of opportunity and potential, waiting for people to explore and enjoy it.


Sound o' children calling
The sound of children playing represents the simplistic joy and innocence of youth.


And the squeal of brakes,
The brakes of cars represent the harsh realities and dangers of the world.


Music
The sound of music represents the beauty and artistry of the human experience.


But a lonely sound
The music is not enough to satisfy the singer's deep sense of loneliness and solitude.


When you can't help wond'ring
The singer is expressing the universal feeling of questioning one's purpose and meaning in life.


Where do I belong
The singer is struggling to find her place in the world and her sense of purpose and belonging within it.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING MILLS, JUAN TIZOL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Kenneth Jones

For the record: music by Charles Strouse, lyric by Lee Adams. This is Nina Simone's hypnotic cover of one of the best songs from the Broadway musical "Golden Boy."

Evelyn Coe

Thanks Ken. Adding your comment on my Facebook share.

Rahmaiya lewis

Not 1 dislike 😆💖💖 nina will always be a queen, i like this song it calms me sometimes

James Horne

Superb

Kourtenaye Monroe

Yes. Thank You.

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