"Fishin' in the Dark" | ||||
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Single by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band | ||||
from the album Hold On | ||||
B-side | "Keepin' the Road Hot" | |||
Released | June 7, 1987 | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 3:19 | |||
Label | Warner Bros. Nashville | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Josh Leo | |||
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band singles chronology | ||||
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"Fishin' in the Dark" is a song written by Wendy Waldman and Jim Photoglo, and recorded by American country music group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, with Jimmy Ibbotson singing lead vocals. It was released on June 7, 1987, as the second single from their album Hold On . The song reached number one on the country charts of both Billboard in the United States and RPM in Canada, and has been described as the band's signature song.
The song is about a couple who plan to have a romantic encounter together at night while fishing. [1] "Fishin' in the Dark" has a fast tempo in the key of D major, with its verses based mainly around an open fifth consisting of D and A. [2] Jimmy Ibbotson, then the band's bass guitarist, sings lead vocals. [3]
Co-writer Jim Photoglo, a native of California, made trips to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1984 at the suggestion of songwriter Wendy Waldman. While staying at a Shoney's Inn in Nashville, he began playing open fifths on his guitar into a tape recorder. [4] Waldman suggested the title "Fishin' in the Dark" after listening to A Prairie Home Companion on the radio. [5] As both they and record producer Josh Leo lived in the same apartment complex, Leo became aware of the song and recommended it to Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, for whom he was producing at the time. [4] Before the band recorded it, Ed Bruce also included a version on his 1986 album Night Things. [6]
Almost three decades after the song's release, Photoglo would join Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, taking over for Ibbotson on bass guitar. [7]
Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave the song an "A", stating that "The lyrics paint such a clear picture that you feel you’re out on the water with this young couple getting ready to do some fishin’ in the dark. No word on whether they catch any fish, but they’re definitely catching feelings, and that’s the secret sauce of this little gem. It captures the euphoria of those early days of a new romance, where the activity doesn’t matter so much as the chance to be alone together." [1] Group member Jeff Hanna later stated that the song was considered Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's signature song, and became most popular during summertime. [8] It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), honoring one million certified music downloads, on September 12, 2014. [9]
Weekly charts
| Certifications
|
Chart (1987) | Position |
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US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [14] | 4 |
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, known as the Dirt Band from 1978 to 1983, is an American band founded in Long Beach, California, in 1966. Since 2018, the band has consisted of Jeff Hanna and his son Jaime Hanna, both guitarists and vocalists, along with Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter, Ross Holmes, and Jim Photoglo.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken is the seventh studio album by American country music group The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, released in November 1972, through United Artists Records. The album was a collaboration with many famous bluegrass and country-and-western players, including Roy Acuff, "Mother" Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs, Merle Travis, Pete "Oswald" Kirby, Norman Blake, Jimmy Martin, and others. It also introduced fiddler Vassar Clements to a wider audience.
"Mr. Bojangles" is a song written and originally recorded by American country music artist Jerry Jeff Walker for his 1968 album of the same title. It has since been recorded by other artists, including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1969.
What If? is the fourth studio album by Canadian country music band Emerson Drive. It was released on June 29, 2004 via DreamWorks Nashville and was the group's final release with the label. Like their previous album, American musician Richard Marx produced the album. The group co-wrote one song on the album, "If You Were My Girl".
Hold On is the seventeenth studio album by American country folk group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, released on July 7, 1987. The album produced three singles "Baby's Got a Hold on Me", "Fishin' in the Dark", and "Oh What a Love". This was the last Dirt Band album to feature John McEuen as a member until 2002's Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Volume III.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two is the nineteenth studio album by American country folk group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, released on May 1, 1989. The album follows the same concept as the band's 1972 album, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, which featured guest performances from many notable country music stars.
James G. Photoglo is an American soft rock singer and songwriter from Inglewood, California. He released two charting albums in the early 1980s and had two hit singles, "We Were Meant to Be Lovers" and "Fool in Love with You". He has also performed simply as Photoglo.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (NGDB) is an American country rock band. The group has existed in various forms since its founding in Long Beach, California, in 1966. The band's membership has had at least a dozen changes over the years, including a period when the band performed and recorded as the Dirt Band. The band is often cited as instrumental to the progression of contemporary country and roots music.
"Home Again in My Heart" is a song written by Josh Leo and Wendy Waldman, and recorded by American country music group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It was released in October 1985 as the second single from their album Partners, Brothers and Friends. The song reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in January 1986 and number 1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.
"High Horse" is a song written by Jimmy Ibbotson, and recorded by American country music group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It was released in January 1985 as the third single from the album Plain Dirt Fashion and reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
"Oh What a Love" is a song written by Jimmy Ibbotson, and recorded by American country music group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It was released in November 1987 as the third single from the album Hold On. They reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The b-side of this single is America, My Sweetheart. The label says "B Side not available on any album".
"I've Been Lookin'" is a song written by Jeff Hanna and Jimmy Ibbotson, and recorded by American country music group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It was released in August 1988 as the second single from the album Workin' Band. The song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
"Down That Road Tonight" is a song written by Jeff Hanna, Josh Leo and Wendy Waldman, and recorded by American country music group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It was released on December 24, 1988 as the third single from the album Workin' Band, and reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Welcome to Woody Creek is the 2004 album from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Acoustic is the 1994 album by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Live Two Five is a live album recorded during three shows at the Red Deer Fine Arts Center in Alberta, Canada, in 1991. The concert recording marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band despite the absence of founding member John McEuen. The tracks on this collection are live versions of songs that were previously released as well as a new song.
The Rest of the Dream is the 1990 album from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
All the Good Times is the fifth studio album from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, released in January 1972.
"And So It Goes" is a song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and recorded by American country music artist John Denver and American music group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It was released in May 1989 as the second single from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's album Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two. The song peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and reached number 29 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.
Wendy Waldman is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer.