The Shirelles were an influential American girl group in the early 1960s, a… Read Full Bio ↴The Shirelles were an influential American girl group in the early 1960s, and they were the very first girl group to have a number one single on the Billboard Hot 100. The members of the quartet were Shirley Owens (who was the lead singer for the most part), Doris Coley, Beverly Lee, and Addie "Micki" Harris. The quartet formed in New Jersey in 1958, and went on to release a string of hits including "Baby It's You", "Mama Said", and the #1 Pop hits "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and "Soldier Boy". Their "Sha La La" became an international hit when covered by the British group Manfred Mann, and "Boys" was covered by [artsit]the Beatles (Ringo Starr singing lead).The Beatles also covered "Baby It's You" on their "Please Please Me" album. Although they had no more charting hits after 1967, the Shirelles continued recording for a small but devoted audience well into the 1970s and continued to tour and perform into the early 1980s. In 1968, Coley left the group to remarry and raise her family, and the group continued as a trio. In 1975, she returned only to replace Owens who departed to begin a solo career. On June 10, 1982, after a live concert in Atlanta, Harris succumbed to a heart attack (age 42); she was replaced by Louie Bethune. Shortly, the group went into semi-retirement, though they did accept an invitation to record backup vocals for Dionne Warwick in the late 1980s. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. On February 4, 2000, Coley lost a battle with breast cancer (age 58). The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.

Tonight's the Night
The Shirelles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You say you're gonna make me (tonight, tonight)
Turn the lights down low (tonight, tonight)
You said you're gonna make me (tonight, tonight)
Feel all aglow (tonight, tonight)
Well I don't know
I don't know right now
I might love you so (tonight, tonight)

I might love you so much
You may break my heart
I may want you so much
And all my dreams may be torn apart

You say you're gonna love me (tonight, tonight)
Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
You say you're gonna hold me (tonight, tonight)
Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
Well I don't know
Said I don't know right now
I might love you so (tonight, tonight)

Let's take a chance (tonight, tonight)
It's gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight)
Feel it in my heart now (tonight, tonight)
It's gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight)
Upsettin' my soul (tonight, tonight)

Gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight)
Let's take this chance

Overall Meaning

The Shirelles's song Tonight's the Night is a romantic and hopeful song about the excitement of a possible romantic encounter. The song opens with the woman eagerly anticipating her meeting with her love interest, she is excited for a potential kiss and the possibility of falling in love. However, she is unsure about how the night will turn out, whether she will actually feel those emotions or not. She is worried that she might end up heartbroken or disappointed. Nonetheless, she is still very intrigued by the prospect of love and wants to take the chance anyway.

As the song progresses, the woman's feelings become stronger and she expresses her desire for love to be reciprocal. She hopes that her interest will feel the same way and that they can have a great romance. She feels it in her heart that it could be something special, something different from other encounters, and she wants to act on that feeling. The song's closing lines especially emphasize the woman's willingness to take the leap of faith and see it through.

Line by Line Meaning

You said you're gonna meet me (tonight, tonight)
You promised to come see me tonight.

Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
The night we've been waiting for is finally here.

You said you're gonna kiss me (tonight, tonight)
You promised to kiss me tonight.

Well I don't know I said I don't know right now I might love you so (tonight, tonight)
I'm not sure if I'll fall in love with you tonight, but I might.

You say you're gonna make me (tonight, tonight) Turn the lights down low (tonight, tonight)
You said you'll dim the lights for a romantic ambiance.

You said you're gonna make me (tonight, tonight) Feel all aglow (tonight, tonight)
You promised to make me feel warm and blissful tonight.

I might love you so much You may break my heart I may want you so much And all my dreams may be torn apart
I might fall deeply in love with you, but that love could lead to heartbreak and shattered dreams.

You say you're gonna love me (tonight, tonight) Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
You said that tonight is the night you'll express your love for me.

You say you're gonna hold me (tonight, tonight) Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
You promised to hold me tonight.

Well I don't know Said I don't know right now I might love you so (tonight, tonight)
I'm still unsure if I'll fall in love with you tonight.

Let's take a chance (tonight, tonight) It's gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight) Feel it in my heart now (tonight, tonight) It's gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight) Upsettin' my soul (tonight, tonight) Gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight) Let's take this chance
Let's take a risk and see if we can start a wonderful romance that will touch our hearts and souls tonight.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Luther Dixon, Shirley Owens

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@fntime

5y↑3

Dom, most successful musicians or groups last only 3 years if
they don't do major overhaul. By the time the Supremes came
on the scene the Shirelles had seem their greatest success &
were beginning to fade. I'm a big fan of the Shirelles, I included
this song on a varied playlist filled with forgotten treasures &
hidden gems, past & present, all era's & styles. My music taste
still includes the music of my youth but I listen & enjoy all music
that resonates with me. I hope YOU enjoy my selections. :)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL240940E21E6C83E3

@paoloturchi4571

3y↑3

ou said you're gonna meet me (tonight, tonight)
Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
You said you're gonna kiss me (tonight, tonight)
Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
Well I don't know
I said I don't know right now
I might love you so (tonight, tonight)
You say you're gonna make me (tonight, tonight)
Turn the lights down low (tonight, tonight)
You said you're gonna make me (tonight, tonight)
Feel all aglow (tonight, tonight)
Well I don't know
I don't know right now
I might love you so (tonight, tonight)
I might love you so much
You may break my heart
I may want you so much
And all my dreams may be torn apart
You say you're gonna love me (tonight, tonight)
Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
You say you're gonna hold me (tonight, tonight)
Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
Well I don't know
Said I don't know right now
I might love you so (tonight, tonight)
Let's take a chance (tonight, tonight)
It's gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight)
Feel it in my heart now (tonight, tonight)
It's gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight)
Upsettin' my soul (tonight, tonight)

Gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight)
Let's take this chance

@StonrMoose69

26w

You said you're gonna meet me (tonight, tonight)
Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
You said you're gonna kiss me (tonight, tonight)
Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
Well I don't know
I said I don't know right now
I might love you so (tonight, tonight)
You say you're gonna make me (tonight, tonight)
Turn the lights down low (tonight, tonight)
You said you're gonna make me (tonight, tonight)
Feel all aglow (tonight, tonight)
Well I don't know
I don't know right now
I might love you so (tonight, tonight)
I might love you so much
You may break my heart
I may want you so much
And all my dreams may be torn apart
You say you're gonna love me (tonight, tonight)
Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
You say you're gonna hold me (tonight, tonight)
Tonight's the night (tonight, tonight)
Well I don't know
Said I don't know right now
I might love you so (tonight, tonight)
Let's take a chance (tonight, tonight)
It's gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight)
Feel it in my heart now (tonight, tonight)
It's gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight)
Upsettin' my soul (tonight, tonight)
Gonna be a great romance (tonight, tonight)
Let's take this chance

All comments from YouTube:

@gwynnielsen5081

3y↑19

The Shirelles did so many great numbers. I'm so glad that YouTube can preserve most of them.

@1JUSTGOTLUCKY1

2y↑10

This is one great song by a great group!!

@chachaalston1698

1y↑24

❤ thanks guys❤ from Shirleys daughter 👍😁

@lindahegyi7986

5y↑44

Shirelles were one of the greatest groups ever. Beautiful harmonies and romantic lyrics. Most songs today pale in comparison to this era.

@paj2184

5y↑36

Was 17, and headed for college for the first time, in fall of 1960, this song reigned on the airwaves, followed soon afterwards by the 'answer song', 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow', one of the all-time best tunes ever recorded, imo.

@dombrunelli5082

4y↑4

PAJ "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" is an all time oldie fave of mine, too.

@deadre

49w↑6

A masterpiece. Can you imagine how much we loved this in the old days ❤

@stevenance7369

6y↑100

The Shirelles were one of the absolute greatest groups ever...

@pepealfalla3721

4y↑1

Like they set one of best group ever

@deborahmccoy3837

3y↑2

They.really was.

@terrigarza1822

2y↑3

The crystals as well

@charabotte1

spice girls , sugababes, atomic kitten were much better !

@Jerry-gi6he

3y↑18

When I hear this, I feel the life of 1960 returning to me. What an era to live in. Gone now and replaced by rap.

@rodohlwiler7347

16w↑2

How true...and just put a "c" in front of the last word in your comment!

@Jerry-gi6he

16w↑1

@@rodohlwiler7347 Well said!

@thomastimlin1724

@@rodohlwiler7347 You stole that joke from George Harrison 1992 lol when asked in an interview what he thought of the the new rap music, he said "They forgot to put the "C" in front of of it." Honestly using rap and music in the same sentence is improper....i was a school music teacher. Is Rap a form of expression...Yes. Does it have all five of the basic elements of music in it? No. Therefore it is not music. Should Rap get awards? Well, I've never gotten an award for words I use when I stub my toe, hit my thumb with a hammer, or step in something in the dark the cats puked up on the floor. Or when some guy cuts me off in traffic and I make a loud suggestion that he go somewhere, like to get some sun at the beach.

@vincentdiverniero8949

When the car radio 📻 played great music 🎶 🎵...

@jamesprevard6555

1y↑8

Those girls back in the 60tys will always be 4 ever be remembered!

@avapowell3053

1y↑3

You got that right!

@philipsanfilippo8290

3y↑31

Nothing better than the windows down this song full blast and driving thru a hamburger drive in !!! It’s going to be a great romance !!! Those were the days!!!!!

@mikekaup5252

2y↑3

Unbeatable, been listening for fifty years!

@Mommasboy204

3y↑9

2022 Such A Beautiful Classic

@JohnKamin-i8s

37w↑1

I have not heard tonight's the night in 40 years but woke up to it in my head.Had to play it.

@jason_101

2y↑4

Yet another excellent recommendation from David Lynch

@anndandy9

2y↑4

This is music, need I say more.😊

@dombrunelli5082

5y↑40

Overshadowed by the Supremes, but the Shirelles were wonderful..I never tire of their songs.

@fntime

5y↑3

@thomasutecht2935

4y↑6

I love the Shirelles.

@dombrunelli5082

4y↑1

@@fntime Wow, what a strange collection of songs. You must be an interesting person, for sure.

@fntime

@@dombrunelli5082 Thanks, Dom. Here is
my new daily playlist hope YOU enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL240940E21E6C83E3

@dombrunelli5082

4y↑1

@@fntime gonna take my time on this list. Pretty intriguing

2 More Replies...

@joemoniz4167

5y↑13

Great song.....One of my favorite songs of all times.

@clementineprice8264

5y↑8

I WAS 15 ALMOST 16 WHEN THIS SONG CAME OUT..THIS WAS ONE OF THE FUN AND GOOD TIME SONGS THAT I TAUGHT MY BOYFRIEND TO DANCE ON SO THAT HE COULD BECOME MY DANCING PARTNER..HE LEARNED VERY WELL AND IT WAS MAGICAL DANCING WITH HIM FOR YEARS....

@SamuelGriffin-zt1ze

11w↑2

We truly miss wonderful music like this

@deborahmccoy3837

3y↑2

When I Was A Preteen, The Shirelles Was Up There With The Best Groups Of That Time And Then They Just Vanished; They Were A Great Group But They Just Faded Away. I Really Missed Them At That Time.

@johnfulton4061

The British invasion ended their career and also a shady record company owner that acted like a mother figure and then cheated them out of their royalties told them she had a trust fund set up for them and their was no trust fund

@johnfulton4061

You can probably guess the ethnicity of the record company owner the same group of people that cheated other artists

@johnfulton4061

Let me be a little more clear you can probably guess the ethnicity and RELIGION of the record company owner

@keithepley2132

2y↑1

My favorite Shirelles song--of so many great song!

@mikemetague7973

4y↑6

"Gonna be a great romance," how perfect!

@Himlee335

6y↑16

The best what a decade of music!!!

@samuelgriffin4167

2y↑6

Shirley Alston Reeves and The Shirelles made fantastic music

@tanyapeterson667

6y↑20

SIMPLY BREATH TAKING BEAUTILFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! THE 60'S DYNAMITE!

@FERRARIDOUG355

6y↑21

GREAT SONG BY A GREAT GROUP

@terrystroud200

4y↑2

💘 love these beautiful girls.before Diana or Martha..they were already paving the way for so many others.!!

@toddwindyhill

4y↑1

Thanks to Joan and Norm for the 1960 memories....never to be forgotten....and helped-along by AM-Top 40 music like this....blasting from Boston up and down the East Coast.

@joemoniz4167

6y↑9

One of my favorites....Great Song!!

@timothythorne9464

6y↑2

It's one of this group's best songs. It's kind of a lead up to their stellar King/Goffin classic, Will You Love Me Tomorrow.

@jeffdansky6353

7y↑25

One of the great groups of our early years.

@davidmaslow399

Oh my! I Loved their stuff when it came out in 61! I was eleven.

@NancyBaron1

3y↑2

They were absolutely the best, ever!

@lovelight4388

50w↑5

This is the most innocent, lovely and sexiest song I've ever heard!!

@samuelgriffin4167

4y↑4

What a magical era

@Mrm_Mario

4y↑11

Love the Shirelles

@richardfernandez7466

5y↑9

Never really realize it to after hearing this song and other songs by The Shirelles how good they really were definitely rivaled The Supremes if not better

@CJack-xi3sw

3y↑3

Better

@jfmitch1716

2y↑2

@@CJack-xi3sw much better

@jamesprevard6555

3y↑1

This was a slamming sound as all of there others. Proud to be there neighbors. They ruled 4 close 2 a decade.

@paoloturchi4571

3y↑3

@laurentkelly150

6y↑6

simply sublime!

@j.d.snyder4466

3y↑3

One of the very first 45s I bought!!! Still sounds great!!!! I'm a Motowner but I'll take the Shirelles over the Supremes any day.

@madbrowniac7871

Darn Straight! Miss Shirley Owens brought it from Her Toes on up!😁🎤🎼🎵🎶🎸🎹🥁💃B.W.

@Netbe277

5y↑4

RIP to my cousin Theresa, Introduced me to the shirerell’s I was 11yrs old 56 still listening 2020🥰

@Imani_AM

5y↑3

I'm sorry for your loss. I'm glad you have the memories and this beautiful music to remember her by

@Netbe277

5y↑1

Imani M TY🤗

@Netbe277

Imani M TY🤗

@Imani_AM

5y↑1

@@Netbe277 You're welcome 😊

@Sofi_Life_XD

2y↑1

.....The Shirelles.....las mejores de todas.... aún siguen siéndolo......

@doowoprichie

3y↑1

One of the greatest

@williamtatum2147

Yet another excellent recommendation Mr. Lynch!

@johnfulton4061

3y↑2

Mary Wilson had no idea that when she wore out her 45 of will you love me tomorrow that her struggling group at that time referred to as the no hit Supremes by other successful Motown artists would be bigger than the Shirelles the Shirelles knocked down some big doors and paved the way for the Supremes and other girl groups

@misterbear8787

Very Amazing

@jamesking8694

5y↑5

A BLASS FROM THE PAST WILL NEVER RUN OUT OF GAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

@coolsweetjoy

8y↑7

Great song

@petemartinez3000

46w↑1

WONDERFUL ..

@MrCeora

4y↑2

The best!

@richardberube2697

4y↑2

just great

@joannkelly7994

3y↑1

Back ‘n the Day.

@georgepugh9863

Saw them live in Pensacola they were a wonder

@agustingarciafernandez1772

5y↑6

The Shirelles ❤️

@jmrodas9

8y↑5

I Heard this one once or twice long ago and never again Heard it but now I hear it again I remember. I never even knew what the title of the song was. But it is good and I like it.

@catman916

8y↑2

One of the great things about You Tube, Jorge, is discovering long lost favorites. Enjoy!

@MarcieLuvzMusic

8y↑4

Solid Gold💕 Thank you🌷

@badbob1946

22w

Greatness!

@thomasnorman9723

8y↑4

these Shirelles are my Sisters forever

@deborahprice3821

Great song!

@vivianwade3185

3y↑2

I put this on here, I thought it might be enjoyed. Bunny from Pittsburgh PA. Enjoy 😊😊😊

@geancarlos_

2y↑1

A anos procurando por essa música e não lembrava o nome do Grupo. Consegui achar 🙌
Que canção linda, gostosa de ouvir 💖

@nancipoulos3560

6y↑2

Great song.

@JohnnyGNV

5y↑9

To be honest, I always thought this was a bigger Chart Hit! I think no. 39 is respectable, but I thought for certain that it was a top 10 Hit for them - I guess in those days, a song played on AM Radio often, sometimes giving the illusion that maybe it was a bigger hit on the pop charts than it actually was - and I DO think it deserved to chart higher -

@johnfulton4061

I think it should have charted higher than no 39 the reason could be that the owner of Scepter Records had not learned to play the payola game yet she definetly learned later that was just a part of the industry

@eugenesedita

Sure, remember Payola .

@drummerc1795

So true. It did reach 14 on the r & b charts.

@germansanchez7434

HERMOSO TEMA DE LOS AÑOS 50 , THE SHIRELLES

@shad0wgh0stbr0gaming

This song is amazing you have to listen to the version by the teenagers in 1960👍👍🎵🎵

@cieriaperkins3239

4y↑1

I'm in love whit this song goooo,,,,,,shirellse.

@cynthia6637

7y↑15

This was The Shirelles's 1st big hit from 1960...

@catman916

7y↑3

Indeed, it was the Shirelles' first big hit in 1960, but do you remember "I Met Him on a Sunday" from 1958, Cynthia?

@cynthia6637

Well Hello John... Nice for the reply back, Yes I do remember them all, Growing up with The Shirelles music from the beginning until the last I was listening to their songs... Thanks for the reply back.... Nice to hear from you... Cynthia

@catman916

It's good to know that we are both still around. Life is good!

@timothythorne9464

This...is FABULOUS music. Just look at the group pictures of the Shirelles while listening to the music...these ladies are as beautiful as they are talented!

@khamvongphayboun5764

6y↑1

your face is a great big hit Cynthia lol. in 2019 xD

@1laughingdog

42w

Oldies 🤘

@robertjuliano7968

4y↑1

One. Of. The. Grestest. Gril. Groups. Of. All. Times. But. I. Must. Say. The. Ronettes. Are. My. Hart. My. Love. To. U. Ronnie. Spector. Yes. I. Love. U. My. Harlem. Queen. Much. Love

@tanyapeterson667

5y↑4

oh yes real soul music!

@barbaramichael-grover8246

35w

The best

@lynettekomidar2819

2y↑1

I was about 16 First job while still at Tech.. ah the hormones !!

@YolandaAnneBrown95726

2y↑3

#DavidLynchSentMe

@jaysee2141

2y↑1

On Wednesday November 30th 2022, David Lynch was thinking about this song in his daily weather update

@JoeyEddyd-nd2ku

44w

Love rolly ❤

@belisarioguerra1279

5y↑2

Original: The Shirelles ( U.S. ) - Tonight's the night ( 1960 ). Cover: Las Yolis ( Mexico ) - Estoy aprendiendo el twist ( 196? ).

@susanwilson6621

2y↑2

🌹💞 lovely 💞🌹... ... ... 😌💖🧝

@toddlear9073

Just look at THEM real WOMEN

@clydeb7713

They CAPTURED the feel of the great Motown sound of the mid 1960s!

@johnfulton4061

Mary Wilson of the Supremes spoke mentioned in one of her books that she played Will you still love tomorrow when it first came so many times one night that her mother asked her to stop this was before the Supremes hit it big and were called the no hits Supremes by the more successful Motown acts

@TonyManenetti

21w

love these mammies

@nack3218

For my beautiful Hoda .

@thomastimlin1724

It's amazing but the Shirrell's harmonies and lead singing were a big part of how the Beatles learned to sing harmony. on their first official recordings for EMI/Capital Reords/Parlophone [England] the Beatles covered Boys [Ringo], and Mister Postman [John on lead].

@violetrose5788

5y↑1

2020

@Imani_AM

Yep, almost May

@Ciriledupont

🌹❤🇮🇹

@frederickglasser5617

38w

I'll take this version over Rod Stewart's but still give the highest nod to Neil Young's version of TTN.

@georgiethumbs2438

6y↑2

Where John Lennon got "Not a second time"

@timothythorne9464

This is two minutes of pop perfection. It opens with a wicked, discordant four note outburst from the strings, which leads perfectly into a sort of teenage drama. Nothing can compare to this song, co-written by lead singer Shirley Owens; not even the magnificent sequel "Will You Love Me Tomorrow".

@ronaldmoyer8515

5y↑2

where did the good songs go

@patricktownsend3474

3y↑1

The Shirelles were from New Jersey - not Motown.

@IZRElLO747

Won't be long jacks

@jordanzilla7900

6y↑4

Not the Supremes the greatest group of all times

@charabotte1

stop saying they were the best, you've obviously never heard songs by thespice girls , sugababes, or atomic kitten.

@rs-ye7kw

1y↑2

Heard them all. Shirelles were the best.

@JohnKamin-i8s

37w

I have not heard tonight's the night in 40 years but woke up to it in my head.Had to play it.

@joemoniz4167

5y↑4

Great Song

@StonrMoose69

26w

@JohnKamin-i8s

37w↑3

I have not heard tonight's the night in 40 years but woke up to it in my head.Had to play it.

@barbaramichael-grover8246

35w

I WAS COMING HOME FROM THE FARMERS MARKET IN MT AND IT WENT OFF IN MY HEAD SAME THING CAN,T GET ENOUGH OF IT

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