They enjoyed working together so much that they decided to create an album together. Co-written by all the group members, the songwriting and recording were accomplished over a ten-day period at Dave Stewart's house, as Dylan was due to go out on tour. Their first studio album, Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1 was released on October 18, 1988. The band members were credited under various pseudonyms, all sons of a fictional Charles Truscott Wilbury, Sr. The album was immediately dubbed as one of the top 100 albums of all time by Rolling Stone, and was a critical and commercial success, spawning several successful singles and eventually reaching triple-platinum sales status in the US. Additionally, it was nominated for several awards and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group in 1989.
The death of Orbison on December 6, 1988 prevented further full collaborations, and the band continued without him. In 1990, they released a second studio album titled Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 3. The intentional misnumbering is attributed to Harrison's sense of humor; additionally, the pseudonyms for all members were changed. The album met with less success than its predecessor, and the group eventually disbanded in 1990, their final released recording being the song "Nobody's Child", the title track of a benefit album released to benefit Romanian orphans.
In 2007, a compilation of both albums was released, entitled The Traveling Wilburys Collection. As well as both of the original albums, the release included bonus tracks and music videos; additionally, previously uncredited session drummer Jim Keltner, who appeared in some of the group's music videos, was listed as a member of the group, as was Dhani Harrison, the son of George who had assisted in some parts of the overdubbing of the previously unreleased material.
Last Night
Traveling Wilburys Lyrics
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She was long and tall, she was the queen of them all
Last night, thinking about last night
Last night, thinking about last night
She was dark and discreet, she was light on her feet
We went up to her room, and she lowered the boom
Last night, thinking about last night
Down below they danced and sang in the street
While up above the walls were steaming with heat
Last night, thinking about last night
Last night, thinking about last night
I was feeling no pain, feeling good in my brain
I looked in her eyes, they were full of surprise
Last night, talking about last night
Last night, talking about last night
I asked her to marry me, she smiled and pulled out a knife
"The party's just beginning," she said, "it's your money or your life."
Last night, talking about last night
Last night, talking about last night
Now I'm back at the bar, she went a little too far
She done me wrong, all I got is this song
Last night, thinking about last night
Last night, thinking about last night
Last night, talking about last night
Last night, talking about last night
Last night, thinking about last night
The Traveling Wilburys song "Last Night" tells a story of a man who meets a woman at a bar while playing his guitar. She is described as long and tall, and the queen of them all, but she is also dark and discreet. They go up to her room and continue their encounter. Meanwhile, downstairs, people are dancing and singing in the street, while upstairs, the walls are steaming with heat. The singer is feeling good, looking into her eyes filled with surprise, and proposes to her. However, to his shock, she smiled and pulled out a knife, revealing her true intentions to rob him. The song ends with the singer back at the bar, feeling wronged but having only the experience to write a song about it.
The lyrics of the song suggest a wild night of adventure that ends in betrayal. The singer's vulnerability is exposed as he falls for the woman's charms and proposes to her, only to be robbed. The stark contrast between the revelry downstairs and the heat upstairs hints at the idea of two different worlds coming together for a brief moment before colliding.
Overall, "Last Night" is a cautionary tale of the dangers of trusting strangers and letting your guard down. The song also serves as a reminder that experiences are valuable, even if they don't always turn out the way we hoped.
Line by Line Meaning
She was there at the bar, she heard my guitar
The singer met a woman at a bar who was drawn to the sound of his guitar.
She was long and tall, she was the queen of them all
The woman was physically impressive and commanded attention.
Last night, thinking about last night
The singer reflects on the previous night.
She was dark and discreet, she was light on her feet
The woman was mysterious and graceful in her movements.
We went up to her room, and she lowered the boom
The artist and the woman went to her room, where she surprised him with her actions.
Down below they danced and sang in the street
People were having fun and celebrating in the street below.
While up above the walls were steaming with heat
The events in the woman's room were intense and steamy.
I was feeling no pain, feeling good in my brain
The artist was intoxicated and enjoying himself.
I looked in her eyes, they were full of surprise
The woman's eyes revealed a sense of mystery and surprise.
I asked her to marry me, she smiled and pulled out a knife
The artist made a bold proposal, but the woman's response was threatening and unexpected.
"The party's just beginning," she said, "it's your money or your life."
The woman hinted at a more dangerous situation that would require the singer to pay her or face consequences.
Now I'm back at the bar, she went a little too far
The artist is back at the bar thinking the woman he met was a bit too much for him to handle.
She done me wrong, all I got is this song
The woman betrayed the singer and all he has left is to express his feelings in a song.
Last night, talking about last night
The singer continues to reflect on the events of the previous night.
Last night, thinking about last night
The singer's thoughts keep returning to the night before with the woman at the bar.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind