Poco’s ’82 “Heart Of The Night” Performance Will Carry You Away To New Orleans

A Love Letter To Louisiana

The late 70’s brought great artists like Poco, a country- rock band that really had a way with folk music and sweet melodies that could carry you away. Performing their hit “Heart Of The Night” in 1982 on TV show Solid Gold, Paul Cotton dazzles the audience with the feel-good, slow tune.

“And the river she rises just like she used to do, she’s so full of surprises, she reminds me of you…”

Inspired by the New Orleans nightlife, the lyrics allow us to picture a soft, beautiful scene ornate with a huge, full moon resting upon the calm river and we really cannot help but want to go to New Orleans.

Interesting Fact: Cotton, who was born in Alabama but raised in Chicago, said in a September 2000 interview with Sound Waves magazine: “I’m just drawn to the South. Hey, I spent 25 winters in Chicago.” Cotton’s experiences in New Orleans had been the basis for a previous composition: “Down in the Quarter”, featured on the 1975 Poco album Head Over Heels.

We’re right there with ya Cotton, there is something magical about the south, especially at night when the calm really sets in. We especially love this song because people have so many opinions of night life in New Orleans, but this song really does the beautiful and serene town justice.

Enjoy this wonderful live performance of Poco in their prime!

+ Heart Of The Night Lyrics +

In the heart of the night
In the cool southern rain
There’s a full moon in sight
Shining down on the Pontchartrain

And the river she rises
Just like she used to do
She’s so full of surprises
She reminds me of you
In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
Oh, whoa, down in New Orleans

There’s a night bird singing
Right on through till the dawn
And the streets are still ringing
With people carrying on

It’s been so long waiting
Just to be here again
Anticipating
All the time I could spend
In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night

And I trust in your love never falling down
I trust in your love
Just like I do in this town
Whoa, never falling down
Whoa, never falling down

In the heart of the night
In the cool fallin’ rain
There’s a full moon in sight
Shining down on the Pontchartrain

And the river she rises
Just like she used to do
She’s so full of surprises
Oh, momma, she reminds me of you
Right here, in the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
Down in New Orleans