Night Life
Ray Price Lyrics


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When the evening sun goes down
You will find me hangin' 'round
Oh, the night life ain't no good life
But it's my life

Many people just like me
Dreamin' of old used-to-be
Oh, the night life ain't no good life
But it's my life

Well, listen to the blues they're playin'
Yeah, listen to what the blues are sayin'

Mine is just another scene
From the world of broken dreams
Oh, the night life ain't no good life
But it's my life

Yeah, when the evening sun goes down
You will find me hangin' 'round
Oh, the night life ain't no good life
But it's my life

Many people just like me
Dreamin' of old used-to-be
Oh, the night life ain't no good life
But it's my life

Oh, listen to the blues they're playin'
Yeah, listen to what the blues are sayin'

Well, mine is just another scene
From the world of broken dreams




Oh, the night life ain't no good life
But it's my life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ray Price's "Night Life" describe a life of loneliness and desperation, which is reflected in the song's somber melody. The singer of the song recognizes that the night life is not a good life, but it is all he knows. He is not alone in this feeling, as "many people just like me" are "dreamin' of old used-to-be." The blues music playing in the background echoes this sentiment, conveying the sorrow and longing that the characters feel.


The song paints a vivid picture of a world of broken dreams, where people cling to the night life as a form of escape. The repetition of the line "the night life ain't no good life" emphasizes the hopelessness and sadness of this existence. The singer's acceptance of his fate, as well as his acknowledgement of the universality of his experience, make the song poignant and relatable.


Overall, the lyrics of "Night Life" are a powerful commentary on the human condition, and the emotional depth of the song has made it a classic in the country genre.


Line by Line Meaning

When the evening sun goes down
As the sun sets in the sky


You will find me hangin' 'round
I spend my time loitering in this area


Oh, the night life ain't no good life
The nightlife is not glamorous or fulfilling


But it's my life
However, it is the life I have chosen


Many people just like me
There are many others in the same situation as me


Dreamin' of old used-to-be
We all long for the past and what used to be


Well, listen to the blues they're playin'
Pay attention to the sad music being played


Yeah, listen to what the blues are sayin'
It tells the story of our broken dreams


Mine is just another scene
My life is just another example


From the world of broken dreams
Of the many unfulfilled dreams in this world


Oh, the night life ain't no good life
Once again, the nightlife is not fulfilling


But it's my life
But it's still my life


Yeah, when the evening sun goes down
As night falls once again


You will find me hangin' 'round
I'll still be loitering in this same spot


Oh, the night life ain't no good life
Again, the nightlife is not a good life


But it's my life
But I've accepted this as my life




Lyrics © GLAD MUSIC CO., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Buskirk, Walt Breeland, Willie Nelson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Peter Walker

RIP Buddy Emmons. Probably the best pedal steel guitar we have ever had the privilege and pleasure to listen to. Thanks Buddy.

Alan Young

Multi-Kord has the first patent on the pedal steel.

RFA1

Peter Walker indeed. danny gatton just the same.

Bob Ragsdale

BUDDY WAS I AGREE PETER,,,,,,,,,,,

LA2KC2HTOWN

Would be great for Karaoke!

Sic Synch

Ralph Mooney?

7 More Replies...

Tony Morgan

One of the iconic intros in the history of country music, Emmons never lets up all the way through. This was NOT how steel guitar was played in country music, but he managed to slip it under the radar and it became legendary. The intersection of Emmons, Price, and Willie Nelson produced a masterpiece.

DTB1997

I consider myself a huge fan of vintage country music and I can't believe that I only recently discovered this. The steel guitar is so beautiful on this track.

The Marble Index

Same here. Got into classic country 6 years ago and only recently discovered this album. Heck of it is I had read about this album in a book called "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" 8 years ago and I've just now listened to it.

Johnny Smokestack

......What a voice!  -I was raised on rock music and only recently began to appreciate classic country music.  Ray Price is among the best.  :-D

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