The Nights

"The Nights" is a song by Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii, featuring uncredited vocals from singer/songwriter Nicholas Furlong. It was initially released as an audio video on Avicii's official YouTube channel on 17 November 2014. The song was later released by PRMD Music and Universal Island on Avicii's The Days / Nights EP on 1 December 2014, and subsequently on 11 January 2015 in the United Kingdom. The song peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK Dance Chart. On 23 January 2015, Avicii released "The Nights (Avicii by Avicii)", his own remix of the song. The song appears on the UK version of Avicii's second studio album Stories (2015).

Background

Furlong noted that he began writing the song as an ode to his father. The inspiration for the "pirate-y fight song" sound came to him while at a bar in Ireland. Furlong sent the original idea, titled "My Father Told Me", to Arash Pournouri, Avicii's manager. Pournouri recognised an immediate draw to the track, saying that the song had that same sense of euphoria which characterises so much of Avicii's music. In an interview with Yahoo! Music, Pournouri said: "It made absolute sense to work on it with Nick...[Avicii and I just needed] to make it more 'us' and that's what [we] did."

Music video

On December 15, 2014, the official music video for "The Nights" was released on YouTube. The video was produced, directed by, and stars "professional life liver" Rory Kramer, who filmed an exuberant recollection of his own life on roller coasters, surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, balloon flying, as well as making a four-door convertible out of a Toyota.

Credits and personnel

Recording

• Recorded at Foxy Studios, Los Angeles, California

Personnel

• Songwriting – Nicholas Furlong, Gabriel Benjamin, Jordan Suecof, John Feldmann, Avicii
• Production – Avicii
• Co-production – Arash Pournouri
• Vocals – Nicholas Furlong
• Engineering and vocal production – Zakk Cervini
• Acoustic guitar – Colin Brittain
• Lap steel guitar – Will Carter
• Live drums – Jordan Suecof
• Additional vocals – The Mighty Riot

Charts

Certifications