The week of April 27, 1985, found charity single ‘We Are the World‘ holding on to its #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, with Madonna’s ‘Crazy For You’ right on its heels at #2.
In the third spot was R&B group DeBarge with their most successful song, ‘Rhythm of the Night.’ It peaked in that position, unable to overtake the formidable duo above it.
This was the first dance-pop single for the group, which had had success with their ballads up to that point. A young songwriter named Diane Warren was recruited by producer Richard Perry to pen the track.
Warren, of course, would go on to write nine #1 hits and a couple of dozen more that reached the top ten. She is perhaps now best known for receiving 16 Best Song Oscar nominations (including in the last seven years straight) without a single win.
‘Rhythm of the Night’ appeared in the martial arts film The Last Dragon but was ineligible for an Oscar nod because it was originally released on DeBarge’s fourth studio album (also called Rhythm of the Night).
When it feels like the world is on your shoulders
And all of the madness has got you going crazy
It’s time to get out, step out into the street
Where all of the action is right there at your feet
[Pre-Chorus]
Well, I know a place where we can dance the whole night away
Underneath electric stars
Just come with me and we can shake your blues right away
You’ll be doing fine when the music starts, oh
[Chorus]
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
(Dance until the morning light)
Forget about the worries on your mind
(You can leave them all behind)
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
(Oh, the rhythm of the night, oh yeah)
[Verse 2]
Look out on the street now, the party’s just beginning
The music’s playing, a celebration’s starting
Under the street lights the scene is being set
A night for romance, a night you won’t forget
[Pre-Chorus]
So, come join the fun, this ain’t no time to be staying home
Ooh, there’s too much going on
Tonight is gonna be a night like you’ve never known
We’re gonna have a good time the whole night long, oh
[Chorus]
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
(Dance until the morning light)
Forget about the worries on your mind
(You can leave them all behind)
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
(Oh, the rhythm of the night, oh yeah)
[Pre-Chorus]
Come join the fun, this ain’t no time to be staying home
Ooh, there’s too much going on
Tonight is gonna be a night like you’ve never known
We’re gonna have a good time the whole night long, oh
[Chorus]
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
(Dance until the morning light)
Forget about the worries on your mind
(You can leave them all behind)
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
(Dance until the morning light)
Forget about the worries on your mind
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
(Oh baby, oh darlin’)
Forget about the worries on your mind (Oh)
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
(Oh baby, ooh)
Forget about the worries on your mind (Ooh)
[Outro]
La, la-la-la (La-la-la-la-la-la)
La, la, la, la, la, la (La-la-la-la-la-la-la, la, la-la-la)
La, la-la-la (The music’s playing)
La, la, la (It’s a celebration), la, la, la
(The music’s playing, everybody dance)
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
(Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-whoa)
Forget about the worries on your mind
(‘Cause you can leave them all behind)
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
(Dance until the morning light)
Forget about the worries on your mind
You can leave them all behind
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
(Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-whoa)
Meet Me In Montauk 
As with most songs from the year I graduated from high school (40 years ago!), I know the song well, though I had no idea it was written by Diane Warren.