A Night on the Town features: Bruce Hornsby (piano,accordion, vocals, synthesizer); George Marinelli (guitar, backing vocals); John Molo (drums, percussion); Joe Puerta (bass, backing vocals).
This is a story song that has a couple of social observations.
Some boys go out drinking and shooting pool and get into a big fight. The key line is “Do what your daddy told you, well I just went out and did that”, meaning that they have attitudes that have been passed down for generations.
In this song, the excuse for the fight is that some newcomers, some strangers from the city, “don’t walk just right.” The pool parlour boys react against something different that makes them uncomfortable, but they’re also just flexing their muscles for the hell of it, because they’ve seen that as the thing you do for fun on a Saturday night.
It’s hard to say whose fault it is – theirs or the ones who they looked up to when growing up. At any rate, as the song says, “the line was drawn for another showdown, like they’d always seen it done, and one man’s night for a drunken old time left a scar on another one.”
From “Bruce Hornsby & The Range – A Night On The Town” Sheet music published in 1990 by Cherry Lane Music Company, Inc. (ISBN 0-89524-580-9)
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Night on the Town
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Veneta, OR
Band show; soundboard
July 28 1996
A Night on the Town meaning of the song
A Night on the Town by Bruce Hornsby is a song that explores themes of masculinity, violence, and generational attitudes through the lens of a night out in a small town. The narrative follows two characters, Van and Willie, as they leave their domestic responsibilities behind for an evening of socialising and, ultimately, confrontation. The song reflects on how societal expectations and inherited behaviours can lead to conflict, particularly in a context where tradition and pride collide with change and unfamiliarity.
The desire for escape
The song opens with Van and Willie seeking a break from their everyday lives, described as needing to “get away from the kids and the wives.” This desire for escape is relatable, reflecting a common yearning among individuals to momentarily detach from responsibilities and find a sense of freedom. The phrase “once they get out on the road, well then everything is alright” signifies a temporary release and the thrill of anticipation that comes with a night out.
Encounters with outsiders
As they venture into the night, Van and Willie encounter “some city boys that didn’t walk just right.” This line introduces the theme of discomfort with the unfamiliar. The city boys represent a different way of being that challenges the norms and expectations of the local culture. The reaction of the pool parlour boys to the newcomers highlights a defensive stance; the line drawn for “another showdown” suggests a readiness to engage in conflict rather than embrace differences. This reflects a broader commentary on how communities can react to outsiders, often out of fear or misunderstanding.
Generational attitudes and masculinity
Bruce’s lyric “do what your daddy told you, well I just went out and did that” signifies the influence of traditional masculine values passed down through generations. The expectation to engage in violence or assert dominance is portrayed as a learned behaviour, suggesting that the attitudes of the past continue to shape present actions. This cyclical nature of behaviour raises questions about personal responsibility versus the weight of inherited attitudes.
The social context of violence
The song’s setting—a pool hall—serves as a microcosm of the social dynamics at play. The “green table down at the midway” represents a space where reputations are forged and conflicts are often resolved through aggression. The line “where secret scores are settled” indicates an underlying tension that drives men to prove themselves, echoing a historical context of masculine honour that is often linked to violence.
This atmosphere contributes to the perception that fighting is a normal and expected part of male bonding, and the line “the claim was made round the table that night” further illustrates the social pressure to conform to these expectations. The culmination of the night’s events results in violence, as “one man fell to his knees,” underscoring the physical and emotional consequences of such confrontations.
The implications of violence
The closing lines of the song encapsulate the cycle of violence and its impact. The mention of the “old man bailing out a son” suggests that the repercussions of the night extend beyond the immediate confrontation, highlighting the familial and community consequences of such behaviour. The scar left on one man by another’s actions serves as a metaphor for the long-lasting effects of violence, not just on individuals but also on families and communities.
The challenge of change
Ultimately, the song portrays a world where traditional notions of masculinity clash with modernity. The city boys’ different way of walking represents a shift in societal norms that the local men are reluctant to embrace. This conflict raises important questions about identity, belonging, and the evolving nature of masculinity.
Bruce’s observations encourage listeners to reflect on how cultural legacies shape behaviours and the importance of examining and challenging these inherited attitudes. The narrative suggests that while the allure of a night out may be enticing, it can also lead to violence and division, illustrating the complex interplay between tradition, change, and human behaviour.
Summary
“A Night on the Town” is a poignant exploration of masculinity, societal expectations, and the generational attitudes that inform behaviour. Through the story of Van and Willie, the song delves into the desire for escape, encounters with outsiders, and the cyclical nature of violence within a small-town context. The tension between traditional values and modernity is evident as the characters navigate their identities, ultimately leaving listeners to contemplate the implications of inherited behaviours and the potential for change.