While most bluesy hard rock acts of the '70s and '80s hailed from the United States (the south, to be exact), there were several exceptions to the rule, such as Canadian singer/guitarist Pat Travers. Born in Toronto on April 12, 1954, Travers first picked up the guitar just prior to entering his teens, after witnessing a local performance by the great Jimi Hendrix. It wasn't long before Travers was studying the other top rock guitarists of the day (Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, etc.), and paying his dues by playing in bar bands in the Quebec area.
His first true touring gig came his way when he hooked up with '50s rock n' roll vet Ronnie Hawkins (best known for performing with a backing cast that would eventually transform into The Band). But Travers' main love was hard rock, so after a year, he packed up his belongings and headed to London. Shortly after touchdown in the U.K., Travers recorded a demo that would land him a recording deal with Polydor and result in the release of his debut, Pat Travers, during the spring of 1976. A performance at England's annual Reading Festival the same year only peaked interest, which resulted in two more releases in 1977, Makin' Magic and Putting It Straight (both of which featured a pre-Iron Maiden Nicko McBrain on drums), before Travers returned to North America and set his sights on the U.S. rock market.
Hooking up with a fine backing band comprised of drummer Tommy Aldridge, guitarist Pat Thrall, and bassist Mars Cowling, the new Travers band lineup premiered on 1979's Heat in the Street. This led to Travers' most commercially successful period, resulting in a pair of Top 30 releases, 1979's Live! Go For What You Know (considered by many Travers fans to be his finest hour) and 1980's Crash and Burn. But soon after the dawn of the '80s, bluesy hard rock seemed to quickly fall out of favor amongst the U.S. record buying public, in favor of slickly produced arena rock, and later, MTV-approved bands. As a result, each subsequent Travers release sold less, as his last albums to appear on the U.S. album charts included 1981's Radio Active, 1982's Black Pearl, and 1984's Hot Shot.
Unhappy with Polydor, Travers opted to take a break from releasing albums for the remainder of the decade, but continued to tour. Travers' 1990 comeback album, School of Hard Knocks, failed to re-spark interest on the charts, although he continued to issue new studio albums (Blues Tracks, Just a Touch, Blues Magnet, etc.) and archival live sets (King Biscuit Flower Hour, BBC Radio One Live in Concert) throughout the decade.
Travers continues to tour and record regularly (playing alongside the likes of Night Ranger's Jeff Watson, Cinderella's Tom Keifer, and Rick Derringer), and in 2001, performed as part of the 'Voices of Classic Rock' tour. Travers emerged from the recording studio once more in 2003, with P.T. Power Trio, a recording that featured covers by the likes of Cream ("White Room"), Robin Trower ("Day of the Eagle"), and ZZ Top ("Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings"), among others. (Greg Prato - AllMusic Guide)
in the heat of the night
Pat Travers Lyrics
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And I'm coming alive
When the sun goes down
I gotta ticket to ride
There's only one direction
That I wanna know
Well if it's safe for you
You and me gotta dance forever
Until the morning light
(Until the morning light)
Stars that shine so bright
Make it hot
Get it hot
In the heat of the night
We walk together
Under the moonlight
(In the heat of the night)
I gotta have you now
And it's alright
Oh lord
Now I'll park the car
Down by the sea shore
When the tide comes in
You got me begging for more
That's when it starts to cook
Every time you're near
I'm just a little bit sick
About the atmosphere
Can you feel the temperature rising
A 110 in the shade
We got it made
Make it hot
Get it hot
In the heat of the night
(Heat of the night)
We walk together
Under the moonlight
(In the heat of the night)
(Heat of the night)
I gotta have you now
And it's alright
The glow of your touch
Will be the only light
So move a little closer to me
(Move a little closer to me)
Girl, that's all I wanna see-e-e
In the heat of the night
(Heat of the night)
We walk together
Under the moonlight
(In the heat of the night)
(Heat of the night)
I gotta have you now
And it's alright
(In the heat of the night)
We walk together
Under the moonlight
(In the heat of the night)
Oh, I gotta have you now
And it's alright
(In the heat of the night)
(Heat of the night)
We walk together
Under the moonlight
(In the heat of the night)
(Heat of the night)
I gotta have you now
And it's alright
(In the heat of the night)
(Heat of the night)
(In the heat of the night)
(Heat of the night)
(In the heat of the night)
The lyrics of Pat Travers's "In the Heat of the Night" narrate a moment of passion between two individuals as they spend an evening together under the moonlight. The first verse sets the scene, as the singer is coming alive at 7 o'clock, just as the sun sets. He's ready to ride and he's got his partner in tow, moving in the only direction he wants to know. This implies that the two are physically, and perhaps emotionally, intimate as they walk hand-in-hand through the night.
The chorus refers to their dance, which symbolizes their physical and emotional connection. They dance until the morning light, with the stars shining bright above them. This dance becomes hotter and more intense as the night progresses, with the temperature rising to 110°F in the shade. The second verse describes the physical attraction between the two, as the singer parks the car by the sea in anticipation of the tide rolling in. As their chemistry heats up, the singer becomes dizzy at the atmosphere. The bridge reiterates the singer's desire for his partner, and he calls for her to move closer to him.
Overall, "In the Heat of the Night" is a classic rock song that celebrates the passion and connection between two individuals, while showcasing the sultry and intense instrumental stylings of Pat Travers.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's 7 o'clock
The time is now 7:00
And I'm coming alive
I'm starting to feel alert and awake
When the sun goes down
After sunset
I gotta ticket to ride
I have permission to go out and have a good time
There's only one direction
I am focused on one goal
That I wanna know
I am curious about one thing in particular
Well if it's safe for you
I want to make sure you're comfortable and secure
That's the way to go
That is the best decision
You and me gotta dance forever
We need to dance together forever
Until the morning light
Until the sun rises
(Until the morning light)
Reiterates that we'll keep dancing until sunrise
Stars that shine so bright
Bright, shining stars in the sky
Make it hot
Suggesting that the stars are causing intense heat
Get it hot
Get excited and passionate
In the heat of the night
During a hot, passionate night
We walk together
We're walking side-by-side
Under the moonlight
The moon is giving us light
(In the heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
I gotta have you now
I need you immediately
And it's alright
Everything is okay
Oh lord
An expression of strong emotion
Now I'll park the car
I'll find a spot for the car
Down by the sea shore
By the beach
When the tide comes in
As the water rises
You got me begging for more
You're making me want more
That's when it starts to cook
Things are starting to heat up
Every time you're near
Whenever you're close to me
I'm just a little bit sick
I feel slightly ill or uneasy
About the atmosphere
Concerned about the energy and mood of the environment
Can you feel the temperature rising
Suggesting a literal or metaphorical increase in temperature
A 110 in the shade
Very hot, even in the shade
We got it made
We're in a good situation
(Heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
The glow of your touch
The warmth of your touch
Will be the only light
Your touch will be the only thing I see
So move a little closer to me
Come closer to me
(Move a little closer to me)
Reiterates that I want you to come closer
Girl, that's all I wanna see-e-e
You coming closer is all I want to see
(Heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
(Heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
(Heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
(Heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
(Heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
(Heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
I gotta have you now
I need you immediately
And it's alright
Everything is okay
(In the heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
We walk together
We're walking side-by-side
Under the moonlight
The moon is giving us light
(In the heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
Oh, I gotta have you now
I need you right now
And it's alright
Everything is okay
(In the heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
(Heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
We walk together
We're walking side-by-side
Under the moonlight
The moon is giving us light
(In the heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
(Heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
I gotta have you now
I need you immediately
And it's alright
Everything is okay
(In the heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
(Heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
(In the heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
(Heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
(In the heat of the night)
Reiterating that it's a hot, passionate night
Writer(s): Michael Donald Chapman, Nicholas Barry Chinn
Contributed by Daniel J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.