7 Awesome Covers of the R&B Classic “Night Time Is The Right Time”

Influential R&B and blues singer Nappy Brown

“Night Time Is The Right Time” is a rhythm-and-blues classic that was first recorded by legendary blues pianist, singer, and songwriter Roosevelt Sykes, aka “The Honeydripper,” in 1937. He cowrote the song with fellow bluesman Jimmy Oden. Melodically, the song is similar to Leroy Carr’s “When The Sun Goes Down,” released in 1935. It has been described as “moderate tempo 12-bar blues” with Roosevelt on vocals and piano. According to some music historians, it was "drawn from the old vaudeville tradition.” The song is about longing for the companionship and love of a romantic partner in the evening, as well as celebrating the intimate connection two lovers share in those late hours. 

 In 1938, pioneering bluesman Big Bill Bronzy recorded "Night Time Is the Right Time No. 2,” which features slightly different, more suggestive lyrics. That same year, Roosevelt recorded a new version, also with slightly different lyrics.

Over the years, a host of talented artists have covered “Night Time is the Right Time."  I’ve compiled a list of my seven favorite covers of this classic. Here’s the list in no particular order:

Nappy Brown (1957)

Highly influential R&B and blues singer Nappy Brown recorded an incredible rendition of the song in 1957, titled “The Right Time” and released on Savoy Records. He transformed it into a scorching, gospel-infused workout, complete with call-and-response vocals and sleazy piano and sax. And Brown delivers a blistering lead vocal performance. This major overhaul of the track significantly heightened its sexual energy and emotional punch. This version features additional lyrics with background singers answering his verses. Brown claimed songwriting credit for his rendition, splitting it with his label boss Herman Lubinsky (under the pseudonym “Lew Herman”) and record producer Ozzie Cadena. The players on the track included Buster Cooper (trombone), Hilton Jefferson (alto sax), Budd Johnson (tenor sax), Kelly Owens (piano), Skeeter Best (guitar), Leonard Gaskin (bass), and Bobby Donaldson (drums). Brown’s version of the classic failed to make the national charts.

Nappy Brown's "The Right Time" is available at Amazon.

Ray Charles (1958)

Iconic soul legend Ray Charles released his version, titled “(Night Time Is) The Right Time,” in late 1958 on Atlantic Records. He borrows Nappy Brown’s arrangement but performs it at a faster tempo. Charles brings his usual flair and soulful electricity to this track. He’s accompanied on vocals by Margie Hendrix, founding member of girl group the Raelettes, who were backup singers for Charles. Hendrix elevates the track significantly with her powerful, devastating vocal performance. And the Raelettes bring it on the backing vocals. In a 2002 interview with Charlotte Magazine, Nappy Brown discussed the differences between his and Charles’s version of the song:  

The difference between me and Ray Charles's ‘Night Time Is the Right Time' is he had it up-tempo with Mary Ann and them behind him—the ladies [Charles' female backup singers, the Raelettes]. I had mine in a slow tempo with a gospel group behind me. That was my gospel group. But he got everything just like mine, note for note.

Charles’s version was a hit, peaking at #5 on the U.S. R&B singles chart and #95 on the pop charts. The song was featured on the albums Ray Charles in Person (1960) and The Genius Sings The Blues (1961). It’s widely considered the definitive version of the song and has become a rhythm-and-blues standard. The song was featured on the landmark TV sitcom The Bill Cosby Show. It was featured in episode 3 of season 2, titled “Happy Anniversary,” which originally aired on October 19, 1985. The Huxtable family lip-syncs to the song to celebrate the 49th anniversary of Cliff Huxtable’s parents. Six-year-old Rudy Huxtable (played by Keshia Knight Pulliam) steals the scene with her hilarious, over-the-top performance of Margie Hendrix’s gritty vocals. The scene is considered one of the top musical moments in television history.

 Here’s the full personnel for the song: Ray Charles (vocals/electric piano), The Raelettes (Margie Hendricks, Darlene McCrea, Mary Ann Fisher, and Patricia Lyles) on vocals, with instrumentation by Bennie Crawford (baritone sax), David "Fathead" Newman (tenor sax), Lee Harper (trumpet), Ed Willis (bass), and Teagle Fleming (drums). 

The Bill Cosby Show cast performs  “(Night Time Is) The Right Time.”

Ray Charles's "(Night Time Is) The Right Time" is available at Amazon.

Aretha Franklin (1968)

The Queen of Soul recorded an amazing rendition of “Night Time Is The Right Time” for her Gold-certified thirteenth album, Aretha Now, released on June 13, 1968, on Atlantic Records. As usual, Aretha makes the song her own, putting her distinctive sonic stamp on this classic. The legendary artist brings her incomparable vocal magic to this track, as well as her impressive piano skills. She tickles the hell out of those keys! The track also features a fantastic horn arrangement. Here’s the song's full personnel: Aretha (lead vocals and piano), Jerry Jemmott (bass), Roger Hawkins (drums), Wayne Jackson (trumpet), The Sweet Inspirations (background vocals), Willie Bridges and Floyd Newman (baritone saxophone). 

Aretha Franklin's "Night Time Is The Right Time" is available at Amazon

Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)

Celebrated rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival brings its potent brand of blues rock to this rousing rendition of the R&B classic. John Fogerty lights up the track with a gutbucket lead vocal performance and some wicked guitar work. And the rest of the CCR crew also brings the fire. This track is included on the band’s highly acclaimed third studio album, Green River, released August 7, 1969. The players on this track are John Fogerty (lead and backing vocals, lead guitar), Stu Cook (bass), Doug Clifford (drums), and Tom Fogerty (rhythm guitar).  

CCR's "The Night Time Is The Right Time" is available at Amazon

Tina Turner (1978)

Tina Turner delivers a ferocious, soul-stirring vocal performance on this explosive cover. She takes the classic to a whole new level with her formidable pipes. This rendition was included on Turner's third solo album Rough, released in September 1978 on the EMI label in the UK, Ariola Records in West Germany, and United Artists Records in the United States. It was her first solo album release since she finalized her divorce from Ike Turner on March 29, 1978. On her previous two albums, Tina Turns the Country On! (1974) and Acid Queen (1975), she was still a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. The personnel on this cover are Tina Turner (lead vocals), Ron Stockert (piano), Ed Greene (drums), Dennis Belfield (bass), Lenny Macaluso (electric guitar), William Smith (Hammond B-3 Organ), Airto Moreira (percussion), Horns: The L.A. Horns (Rick Kellis, Dennis Faris, Jeff "Dino" Deane). Strings: The Gerald Lee String Company.

Tina Turner performs "Night Time Is The Right Time" on a German TV show in 1979

Tina Turner's "Night Time Is The Right Time" is available at Amazon

James Brown (1983)

    

The legendary Godfather of Soul dropped this killer rendition of the R&B classic in 1983, released under the title “The Night Time Is The Right Time (To Be With the One That You Love).” He packs his vocals with tons of soul and style, and his band keeps things cookin’ with their tight musicanchip. Brown even gives a little taste of the organ on this hot cut. It was released as the B-side of the single "Bring It On...Bring It On" on the independent Churchill/Augusta record label. Brown’s cover of the classic reached #73 on Billboard’s R&B singles chart. It’s also included on his 52nd studio album, Bring it On!, released in May 1983. The musicians who backed Brown on “The Night Time Is The Right Time (To Be With the One That You Love)” included Jimmy Nolen (guitar), Arthur Dickson (drums), and the J.B.’s Internationals. The female vocalist who accompanied Brown was his backup singer, Kathy Jordan, who did a bang-up job. She's civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton's second wife. They met in 1971 while touring with James Brown and later married in 1980. When Sharpton was a teenager, Brown was a mentor and father figure to him. He worked as Brown's touring manager between 1973 and 1980.

The Rolling Stones (2006)

The Rolling Stones burned up the stage with an electrifying performance of “The Night Time (Is The Right Time)” during their historic 2006 free concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mick Jagger was in rare form, effortlessly commanding the audience’s attention with his raw, gritty vocals and patented serpentine dance moves. He shared lead vocals with singer Lisa Fischer, who delivered a dynamic showstopping performance. Her stage chemistry with Jagger was off the charts. Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Ronnie Wood all brought their A game to this smokin’ performance. Their playing was nasty, dirty, and extremely soulful. And they received strong support from these talented players: Darryl Jones (bass), Chuck Leavell (keyboards, backing vocals), Bobby Keys (saxophone), Blondie Chaplin (percussion, backing vocals), Michael Davis (trombone), Tim Ries (saxophone), Kent Smith (trumpet), and Bernard Fowler (backing vocals).

The Rio concert took place on February 18, 2006. It was part of the Rolling Stones’ A Bigger Bang Tour. An estimated 1.5 million people attended the concert, making it one of the largest concerts in history. 

Related blog entries:

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“Rock The Boat” by The Hues Corporation

Soul-pop trio the Hues Corporation was formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1969. Musician and songwriter Wally Holmes founded the group with his friend, singer Bernard St. Clair Lee. The group’s name is a pun on billionaire/aviation giant Howard Hughes’ company, the Howard Hughes Corporation, with “hue” a synonym of color. They recruited female vocalist Hubert Ann Kelley, who they spotted at a Los Angeles talent show. Singer Karl Russell responded to a notice posted at Southern California record stores, completing the trio. They started out performing at Las Vegas’ landmark casino and hotel, Circus Circus, opening for prominent entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Milton Berle, Nancy Sinatra, and Glen Campbell. 

The group released their debut single, “Goodfootin',” on Liberty Records in 1970 with “We're Keepin’ Our Business” as the B-Side. However, the single failed to chart. They caught their first big break when they were tapped to appear in the 1972 Blaxploitation/horror film Blacula, starring William Marshall and Vonetta McGee. They were featured in a nightclub scene performing the songs “There He Is Again,” What the World Knows,” and “I’m Gonna Catch You.” 

Shortly after their appearance in Blacula, lead singer Karl Russell left the group to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Fleming Williams. The group signed with RCA Records in 1972 and released their debut album Freedom for the Stallion on December 7, 1973. The collection’s lead single was the title track, “Freedom for the Stallion.” The lovely Allen Toussaint-penned pop-soul track was a minor hit, peaking at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. And it rose to #16 on the Canadian charts. The album’s second single, “Miracle Maker (Sweet Soul Shaker)” failed to crack the charts.

“Rock The Boat” was a track on Freedom for the Stallion. The group’s manager, Wally Holmes, wrote the song, and John Florez produced it. Florez initially wasn’t a fan of the lyrics, calling them “trite.” He changed the opening line from “Ever since our voyage of love began" to “So I’d like to know where you got the notion” to give it more punch. The song was originally released as the B-side of “All Goin’ Down Together,” the third single from Freedom for the Stallion. However, due to the enthusiastic response to “Rock The Boat” at New York dance clubs, Florez remixed it to augment the bass and rhythm instruments and re-released it in May of 1974. 

“Rock The Boat” possesses a breezy, infectious charm, featuring a unique rhythm arrangement with a rumba-like beat that’s bolstered by a reggae-influenced bass line. And Fleming Williams delivers a smooth, rich lead vocal performance complemented by Kelley and Lee's exquisite background harmonies. The track boasts an irresistible chorus, soaring strings, and marvelous horn charts. It closes out with some fine guitar work from Larry Carlton.  

The song uses nautical imagery to symbolize a strong, enduring love that remains steadfast throughout rough times: “Up to now, we've sailed through every storm/And I've always had your tender lips to keep me warm.” “Rock The Boat” is a shimmering celebration of a couple’s undying love and unbreakable union.

In a 1999 interview with ClassicBands.com, St. Clair Lee discussed the song’s distinct sound and how it can’t really be categorized as pop or disco: 

 It was a song that you could do anything on. You could cuddle, or you could get crazy if 

 you wanted to. It was a love song without being a love song. But it was a disco hit, and     

 it happened because of the discos.

The musician lineup on "Rock The Boat" included Wilton Felder (bass), Joe Sample (piano), Larry Carlton (guitar), Jim Gordon (drums), and Wally Holmes (trumpet).

“Rock The Boat” was a huge crossover smash. It topped the Billboard Hot 100, peaked at #2 on Billboard’s R&B singles chart, and reached #5 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart. It also enjoyed significant chart action internationally, landing in the top 10 in seven countries: Argentina (#2), the UK (#6), South Africa (#5), Ireland (#9), New Zealand (#8), the Netherlands (#4), and Canada (#1). And it climbed to #18 in Australia. The track sold more than two million copies worldwide and was certified Gold by the RIAA. And it’s widely considered one of the earliest disco records and the first true disco song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Rock The Boat" has been sampled on 15 songs, including Jurassic 5’s “Concrete Schoolyard” and “Force M.D.'s Meet the Fat Boys" by Force M.D.'s, featuring Fat Boys. It has been featured on many film soundtracks and TV series.

The popular “Rock The Boat” dance is frequently performed at weddings and birthday parties. The dance involves a large group of people sitting down in a row and “rowing” a boat to the song. In 2019, the song regained global attention when the “Rock The Boat” dance was performed in an episode of the highly popular and critically acclaimed teen sitcom Derry Girls. 

The group’s next single was the “Rock The Boat” sound-alike “Rockin’ Soul,” released in October 1974. While the song performed well on the charts, it didn’t come close to matching the massive success of its predecessor. It peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on Billboard's R&B singles chart, and #5 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs. It reached #24 on the UK charts, #9 in the Netherlands, and #33 in Canada. 

The Hues Corporation had another modest hit in 1975 with “Love Corporation” and one in 1977 with “I Caught Your Act.” In the subsequent years, the group completely disappeared from the charts. They broke up sometime around 1980. 

In the 1990s, St. Clair Lee reactivated the Hues Corporation in the wake of a renewed interest in the group, recruiting new members Bruce Glover and Elaine Woodward. The trio performed worldwide alongside fellow classic soul acts on the oldies circuit until Lee’s death in 2011.

The Hues Corporation performing "Rock The Boat" live in 1973

On June 23, 2013, a crowd of 2560 performed the "Rock The Boat" dance in Keady, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, to raise money for cancer research.