Nights in Harlem

1998 single by Luther Vandross
"Nights in Harlem"
Single by Luther Vandross
from the album I Know
ReleasedJuly 14, 1998
GenreR&B
Length4:57
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)
  • Vandross
  • Fonzi Thornton
  • Rex Rideout
Producer(s)Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross singles chronology
"I Can Make It Better"
(1996) 		"Nights in Harlem"
(1998) 		"I Know"
(1998)

"Nights in Harlem" is a song by American recording artist Luther Vandross, released July 14, 1998. It was written by Vandross along with Fonzi Thornton and Rex Rideout for his eleventh studio album I Know (1998). The uptempo song served as the album's lead single. Following its release, it peaked number 4 on Billboard's Adult R&B Songs.[1]

A "Darkchild remix" version appears as the final track on I Know; it features uncredited background vocals by Brandy and is remixed by her frequent collaborator, Rodney Jerkins.

Critical reception

Larry Flick of Billboard wrote, "Vandross christens his new alliance with Virgin with a lively jam that firmly reminds programmers how cool soul music is really made. Seamlessly produced by the artist, "Nights In Harlem" chugs with an old-school, funk juiced flavor that takes the listener back to the days when music was made, not sampled. A rap cameo by Precise keeps "Nights In Harlem" on a jeep-smart path, though this track hardly needs it. The combo platter of blissfully nostalgic lyrics and a top-form performance from Vandross is enough to render this an instant R&B radio smash. Popsters should pay close attention, too. After all, no one can live solely on kiddie pop."[2]

Track listing

US CD Single (Promo)[3][4]
  1. "Nights In Harlem" feat. Precise (LP Edit)
  2. "Nights In Harlem" feat. Guru (A Darkchild Remix Edit)
  3. "Nights In Harlem" (LP Edit W/O Rap)
  4. "Nights In Harlem" (A Darkchild Remix Edit W/O Rap)
  5. "Nights In Harlem" feat. Guru (A Darkchild Extended Remix)
UK Vinyl 12" Single
  1. A1 "Nights In Harlem" (Darkchild Extended Remix)-5:25
  2. A2 "Nights In Harlem" (Darkchild Remix Edit)-4:09
  3. B1 "Nights In Harlem" (Darkchild Instrumental)-4:23
  4. B2 "Nights In Harlem" (LP Edit)-4:36

Charts

Chart (1998) Peak
position
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[5] 4

References

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 597.
  2. ^ Flick, Larry (July 4, 1998). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 21. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  3. ^ US CD Single - "Nights in Harlem" (Promo). discogs.com
  4. ^ "Nights in Harlem" - UK Vinyl 12" Single
  5. ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
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