Anthony Young
Richard Moule
INDS 1034
2 December 2018
Night Moves
I wanted to recommend the album “Night Moves” by Bob Seger. I chose the album "Night Moves" by Bob Seger and The Silver bullet Band because of the title track. Night Moves is a song that I have known for as long as I can remember.
It brings me back to simpler times in life. The song reminds me of the evenings I would spend in the backyard while the sun was setting, or on the late-night drives home on the highway under the moonlight. Because I was so young when I first heard the song, I do not remember my original reaction to the song, but as years have gone on I have always appreciated the song for its production, writing and arrangement.
While I don’t agree with what the song lyrically says, I do enjoy the musical elements. I am bother by the fact that people refer to this song as a love song, when in reality the song is about two people hooking up who have no romantic interest in each other. Basically, two individuals using each other.
Bob Seger born May 6, 1945 was named Robert Clark Seger. Bob knew at a very young age that he wanted to sing and perform. At age 15 he played his first gig at a junior prom. Bob has been married several times, most recently to Junita Dorricott in 1993 and now has two children.
It took over 10 years for him to reach success. During the earlier years of his success he was very frustrated as he did not have time to write his own songs. There were times when Bob Seger felt disillusioned and frustrated by the lack of his success but he never gave up.
He was an American singer, song writer, guitarist and pianist whose early musical inspirations included Little Richard and Elvis Presley. Bob Seger had his first national hit and album in 1968. During the earlier stages of his career, he worked with other bands to achieve broader success. One of his great achievements included co-writing The Eagles number song Heartache Tonight on their 1979 album.
In 1973, Bob Seger established the Silver Bullet Band. The group was much better performing live than in the recording studio. The most successful album was Live Bullet released in 1976. Night Movies the album was recorded live with the band in 1975 at Cobo Hall.
Bob Seger is very well known for the story telling aspect contained within his songs. His songs always contained references to what the average person was experiencing in their everyday life, their struggles, ambitions, frustration, hopes and dreams. Because of this amazing talent, people could see themselves within his songs which is why he is so well liked among a vast majority of people.
Through-out his career, Bob Segar addressed a number of political topics in his song writing. Some examples included antiestablishment themes in songs such as 2×2 and Upper Middle Class (U.M.C.) gun violence in Ride Out and climate change in Its Your World.
The song, Night Moves was inspired by the movie American Graffiti. The song tells a story of two teenagers becoming sexually active during their high school years and losing their virginity in a Chevy. Neither have any emotional connection to each other. The song represents freedom and possibilities during your high school years, giving you the opportunity to try new things. The references to the seasons within the song equate to periods of time “Summer Time” equates to now while “Autumn” equates to getting older. It has also been referred to as a coming of age song.
Night Moves was produced and recorded in Toronto. Bob used a local guitarist and pianist and two female back-up singers visiting from Montreal.
Robert Christgau wrote that the riffs on Night Moves were classic rock and roll like what Chuck Berry or the Rolling Stones performed. Christgau stated the album is about Rock and Roll for the individuals who are no longer teenagers.
Kit Rachlis of the Rolling Stone reviewed the album and stated it was one of the best of 1976-77. Rachlis also said that Bob sounded like Rod Stewart and compared his writing of lyrics to that of Bruce Springsteen’s.
Night Moves was one of two songs that Bob Seger ever wrote on the road. This song helped its name sake album sell over five million copies. The song Night Moves is also featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto V.
The album consisted of the following songs:
• Rock and Roll Never Forgets
• Night Moves
• The Fire Down Below
• Sunburst
• Sunspot Baby
• Mainstreet
• Come To Poppa
• Ship of Fools
• Mary Lou
There were three songs from this album that were released as singles.
Night Moves was the first single released on December 12, 1976.
Bob Seger explained that song was written after seeing the movie American Graffiti. The characters within the movie reflected a lot of aspect of his high school years. He also states that while it was the easiest song to write it took 6 months to finish it. During an interview Bob Seger did say the song was autobiographical about his first sexual experience, he wanted to tell a story how it was like growing up where he came from He also stated he wanted people to know it was okay to be human and vulnerable.
Main Street was the second single to be released on April 18, 1977.
When interviewed about the meaning of the song Bob explained that the song ran true. At a very early age Bob was advised to always write about what he knows. Throughout his writing career and he has done so. He explained that he grew up near the street corner referenced in the song. Bob explained that his older brother was lots of trouble and that his parents referred to Bob as the good and trusted son. During the interview he described how he would watch a band play through a window of this bar and he instinctively knew that was what he wanted to do.
Rock and Roll Never Forgets was the third and final single released June, 1977.
Bob Seger wrote the song after attending a high school reunion. He had wanted to write a song that was an honest assessment of that moment in time. The song is about aging and the ongoing power of Rock and Roll. As the writer Bob advises the listener to return to Rock and Roll. The song is also a tribute to Chuck Berry. Rolling Stone, the magazine praised this song.
The album cover is a very simplistic in design. It a picture of Bob Seger in front of what appears to be the moon, playing off the title “Night Moves”. While it appears simplistic, it speaks volumes about Bob Seger. He spent 40 years reporting on the everyday life of the blue-collar working man. The cover demands that you take Bob Seger as he is, that he is an everyday person and he does not need a lot of “glitter”.
The following are my favorite songs from the album and why.
Rock and Roll Never Forgets – Track 1 – Nice upbeat rock and roll vibe. Song you want to get up and dance to. Cool horns section. Great Guitar tone
Night Moves – Track 2 – Chill Acoustic vibe. Nice driving song. Very well produced (by Jack Richardson) So many tight elements such as piano, organ, acoustic guitar, backup vocals and many more that make this song great. Great piano part
The Fire Down Below – Track 3 – Power Ballad feeling intro that leads to a big rock sound. Nice walking vibe – not a song to dance to but a song to have a good time to. Great guitar tone and guitar leads
MainStreet – Track 6 – Nice chill vibe. More upbeat than track 2. Great guitar tone. Great guitar leads.
All songs have great vocals and great vocal melodies.
I don't think it would insult the musical gods or anything if this song wasn't talked about in this class, but I still think it should be for the very simple reason that Jack Richardson produced the title track and Jack Richardson also taught at Fanshawe College for years before passing away. So, I feel out of respect for Jack Richardson, the song should be discussed in class.
Work Cited
“Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band* – Night Moves.” Discogs, 1 Jan. 1976, www.discogs.com/Bob-Seger-The-Silver-Bullet-Band-Night-Moves/master/37632.
“Night Moves (Album).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Nov. 2000, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Moves_(album).
“Night Moves By Bob Seger.” Song Meanings at Songfacts, www.songfacts.com/facts/bob-seger/night-moves.
Sharp, Ken. “How Bob Seger Changed The Face Of American Music.” Loudersound, Louder Together We're Louder, 10 Sept. 2018, www.loudersound.com/features/bob-seger-making-all-the-right-moves.