Song written by Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen.
Patti Smith version
The original song was recorded by Bruce Springsteen during sessions for his ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town’ album. The Patti Smith Group was working on Easter in the studio next door, and the bands were exchanging tapes. The original version of the song – a workingman’s lament – didn’t end up on Springsteen’s album. Smith took the song and recast it from a female perspective, and it was included on the Patti Smith Groups’ 1978 album ‘Easter’. Released as a single, it reached number 13 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 5 in the UK singles chart.
Kim Wilde version
Kim originally recorded this song in 1992 for inclusion on The Singles Collection 1981-1993. It was even announced in France to shops in a release sheet. The track was subsequently shelved and has not seen the light of day up until now.
When Mike Batt approached her for his Philharmania album project (the result of which was released in 1998), she suggested that she did that track because she knew it would suit her voice.
Credits
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Mike Batt
Drums: Henry Spinetti
Percussion: Ray Cooper
Guitars: Chris Spedding, Mitch Dalton
Bass guitar: Tim Harries
Lead saxophone: Phil Todd
Piano: Mike Batt
Backing vocals: Carol Kenyon, Tessa Niles, Miriam Stockley, David Bevan, Michael George, Mike Batt
Produced and arranged by Mike Batt
Engineers: Austin Ince, Haydn Bendall
Assistant engineers: Alex Scannell, Andrew Dudman, Paul Smith
Lyrics
Take me now, baby, here as I am
Hold me close, try and understand
Desire is hunger is the fire I breathe
Love is a banquet on which we feed
Come on now, try and understand
The way I feel under your command
Take my hand as the sun descends
They can’t hurt you now,
Can’t hurt you now, can’t hurt you now
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
Have I doubt, baby, when I’m alone
Love is a ring, a telephone
Love is an angel, disguised as lust
Here in our bed until the morning comes
Come on now try and understand
The way I feel under your command
Take my hand as the sun descends
They can’t hurt you now,
Can’t hurt you now, can’t hurt you now
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
With love we sleep
With doubt the vicious circle
Turns and burns
Without you I cannot live
Forgive, the yearning burning
I believe it’s time to heal to feel
So take me now, take me now, take me now
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
Because the night belongs to lovers
And everybody says
It belongs to us