Graham Parker's album version
Uh, uh, uh
I had the time but I blew it, I had the power and I knew it
Had the energy, but outgrew it, the identity but saw through it, yeah
I had the walk, but got trampled, had the taste, it was sampled
Had the engine dismantled, had the flame, but no candle
I can't bear to see how it all looks in the light, keep it hidden now
If I could only find a switch that turns on the endless night
That turns on the endless night, that turns on the endless night
That turns on the endless night, ah-ah-ah-uh
If there's a wire, must cross it, if there's a coin, must toss it
If it's dirt can't wash it, it's my head, d-don't cosh it
Ah, there's a door, but they shut it, we all bleed, they cut it
It's so dark when you don't fit, it's a gauntlet you gotta run it, oh baby
I can't bear to see how it all looks in the light, keep it hidden now
If I could only find a switch that turns on the endless night
That turns on the endless night, that turns on the endless night
That turns on the endless night, ah-ah-ah-uh
Turn on the endless night
Turn on the endless, turn on the endless, turn on the endless night
If there's a cross, ah then bear it, if there's a loss, ah then share it
If it's a risk let's dare it, if it's blindness, outstare it, uh
I can't bear to see how it all looks in the light, keep it hidden, baby
If I could only find a switch that turns on the endless night
That turns on the endless night, that turns on the endless night
That turns on the endless night, that turns on the endless night
Let's turn on the endless night, just turn on the endless night
Let's turn on the endless night, and turn on the endless night
Turn on the endless night
Ah turn on the endless night
Yeah, yeah, turn it
Turn on the endless night
ENDLESS NIGHT is a song written by Graham Parker and released on his 1980 album The Up Escalator. The above lyrics are for Graham Parker's album version of ENDLESS NIGHT as released in 1980.
Bruce Springsteen contributed to the studio recording of ENDLESS NIGHT. This should not be confused with WRONG SIDE OF THE STREET, an unreleased Bruce Springsteen song also known under the title "Endless Night".
Around December 1979 Graham Parker was recording his upcoming album at The Power Station in New York City, NY. Bruce Springsteen was also recording his upcoming album The River at the same studio. He dropped in and jammed with Graham Parker and his backup band The Rumor and ended up recording support vocals on one of the album's tracks, ENDLESS NIGHT.
Graham Parker's album The Up Escalator was released in the UK on Stiff Records on 23 May 1980. It was distributed in the United States on Arista Records. Up The Escalator was produced by Jimmy Iovine who co-mixed Springsteen's Darkness On The Edge Of Town album.
The Up Escalator was reissued in the US on Razor & Tie Records in 1991. It was also reissued in the UK on Demon Records in 1993, on Diablo Records in 1998, and Cherry Red / Lemon in 2003.
In addition to its release on The Up Escalator, ENDLESS NIGHT was also released as a single in Germany and Australia and as a B-side the US. It was also included on two Graham Parker compilation albums.
Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake) for the lyrics help. Some of the above recording info is taken from Brucebase.
Please contact me if you have scans or info about any official release containing ENDLESS NIGHT that's not mentioned on this page. Any additions, comments, or corrections to this page are welcome. You can contact me via the below form or by email: .
List of available versions of ENDLESS NIGHT on this website:
ENDLESS NIGHT [Graham Parker's album version]
