Save Tonight

"Save Tonight"
Single by Eagle-Eye Cherry
from the album Desireless
B-side"Conversation"
Released7 October 1997 (1997-10-07)
GenreAlternative rock[1]
Length3:55
  • 3:06 (video version)
Label
Songwriter(s)Eagle-Eye Cherry
Producer(s)Adam Kviman
Eagle-Eye Cherry singles chronology
"Save Tonight"
(1997)
"When Mermaids Cry"
(1998)
Music video
"Save Tonight" on YouTube

"Save Tonight" is a song written and performed by Swedish rock musician Eagle-Eye Cherry, released on 7 October 1997 as the lead single from his debut album, Desireless (1997). It is the album's opening track and gained substantial radio success, reaching number three in Ireland, number five in the United States, number six in the United Kingdom, and number two in Cherry's native Sweden. "Save Tonight" was awarded the Rockbjörnen award in the "Swedish song of the year 1997" category.[2]

Critical reception

[edit]

Larry Flick of Billboard wrote, "With a voice mildly reminiscent of Seal, the lad gives "Save Tonight" a richly soulful edge that cuts through the track's shiny arrangement of strumming acoustic guitars and prickly electric licks. Beyond the single's well-crafted surface are vivid, storyteller lyrics that are smarter than what you'll typically find on radio. An excellent, commercially sound way of introducing the artist's sterling full-length debut, Desireless, this cut demands immediate modern and mainstream rock radio play—and perhaps even triple-A and eventually top 40 stations."[3] Scottish newspaper Daily Record felt that with the song, "late jazz legend Don's son and Neneh's brother is living up to his musical heritage."[4]

Music video

[edit]

The monochrome music video for the song was filmed at Skånegatan 92-94 in Stockholm's Södermalm district from 9–10 September 1997,[5] and features Cherry playing different characters and seeing the story from different perspectives. Cherry prepares for a date by buying roses and a bottle of wine at a deli; he waves goodbye to the butcher, who proves to be another Cherry. A robber wearing tights over his head as a disguise (purchased in a nearby shop at the start of the video) enters the deli and takes money from he cash register; when he runs out, he is hit by a pickup truck. Both he and the driver are additional duplicates of Cherry, and two others appear as a man playing guitar and a homeless person sleeping on the sidewalk. The Cherry who entered the deli walks past and tosses some change to the latter before departing for his date. The video is edited to make it appear as a single continuous take.

Track listings

[edit]
  • Swedish and European CD single; UK cassette single[6][7][8]
  1. "Save Tonight" – 3:55
  2. "Conversation" – 4:55
  • UK CD single[9]
  1. "Save Tonight"
  2. "Save Tonight" (Bacon & Quarmby remix)
  3. "Conversation"
  4. "Save Tonight" (video)
  • Australasian CD single[10]
  1. "Save Tonight"
  2. "Save Tonight" (Bacon & Quarmby remix)
  3. "Conversation"

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel are lifted from the Desireless album booklet.[11]

  • Eagle-Eye Cherry – music, lyrics, vocals, background vocals, co-production
  • Mattias Torell – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
  • Klas Åhlund – electric guitar
  • Elias Modig – bass
  • Magnus Persson – drums
  • Adam Kviman – production, mixing, engineering

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[67] Gold 35,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[68] Platinum 90,000
Germany (BVMI)[69] Gold 250,000
Italy (FIMI)[70] Gold 25,000
Sweden (GLF)[71] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[72] 2× Platinum 1,200,000

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Sweden 7 October 1997 CD Superstudio Blå [73]
United Kingdom 15 June 1998
  • CD
  • cassette
Polydor [74]
United States 14 July 1998 Contemporary hit radio Work [75]

E.M.D. version

[edit]
"Save Tonight"
Single by E.M.D.
from the album Rewind
Released2010
Length3:35
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)Eagle-Eye Cherry
E.M.D. singles chronology
"Välkommen hem"
(2009)
"Save Tonight"
(2010)
"What Is Love"
(2010)

In 2010, Swedish boy band E.M.D. released a cover version of "Save Tonight" as the first single from their second studio album, Rewind (2010). Released first through digital stores on 28 May, the single had a physical release on 16 June.

Track listing

[edit]
  • CD and digital single
  1. "Save Tonight" – 3:35

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2010) Peak
position
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[76] 3

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "StubHub - Artist Biography - Eagle-Eye-Cherry". StubHub. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Alla Rockbjörnsvinnare sedan 1979". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). 2000. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  3. ^ Flick, Larry (8 August 1998). "Reviews & Previews: Singles - New & Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. p. 21. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Chart Slot". Daily Record. 31 July 1998.
  5. ^ McKinney, Kelsey (7 October 2017). "People Are Still Yelling "Save Tonight!" at Eagle-Eye Cherry on the Street". GQ. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  6. ^ Save Tonight (Swedish CD single liner notes). Eagle-Eye Cherry. Superstudio Blå. 1997. BLÅ CS-4, 74321 52452 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Save Tonight (European CD single liner notes). Eagle-Eye Cherry. Polydor Records. 1998. 569 594-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Save Tonight (UK cassette single sleeve). Eagle-Eye Cherry. Polydor Records. 1998. 569 594-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ Save Tonight (UK CD single liner notes). Eagle-Eye Cherry. Polydor Records. 1998. 569595-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ Save Tonight (Australasian CD single liner notes). Eagle-Eye Cherry. Polydor Records. 1998. 569 595 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Desireless (US CD album booklet). Eagle-Eye Cherry. Work Records. 1998. OK 69434.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  13. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  14. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  15. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  16. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7044." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  17. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7459." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  18. ^ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 7940." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  19. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 30. 25 July 1998. p. 12. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  20. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight" (in French). Les classement single.
  21. ^ "Major Market Airplay: France" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 31. 1 August 1998. p. 23. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  23. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 47. 21 November 1998. p. 22. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  24. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 36. 5 September 1998. p. 15. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  25. ^ "Major Market Airplay: Hungary" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 38. 19 September 1998. p. 27. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  26. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (11.6. – 18.6. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 12 June 1998. p. 22. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  27. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Save Tonight". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  28. ^ "Major Market Airplay: Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 20. 16 May 1998. p. 23. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  29. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 13, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  30. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  31. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight". Top 40 Singles.
  32. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight". VG-lista.
  33. ^ a b "Major Market Airplay: Poland" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 18. 2 May 1998. p. 25. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  34. ^ "Major Market Airplay: Scandinavia" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 51. 20 December 1997. p. 23. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  35. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  36. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight". Singles Top 100.
  37. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight". Swiss Singles Chart.
  38. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  39. ^ "The Official UK Airplay Chart Top 50". Music Week. 11 July 1998. p. 13.
  40. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  41. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  42. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  43. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  44. ^ "Eagle-Eye Cherry Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  45. ^ "SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  46. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  47. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1997" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  48. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1998" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  49. ^ "RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 63, no. 12. 14 December 1998. p. 20. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  50. ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1998" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 51. 19 December 1998. p. 8. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  51. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1998" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  52. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1998" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  53. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1998". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  54. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1998" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  55. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1998" (in German). Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  56. ^ "Best Sellers of 1998 – Singles Top 100". Music Week. 16 January 1999. p. 7.
  57. ^ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. 25 December 1998. p. 55.
  58. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. 25 December 1998. p. 45.
  59. ^ "The Year in Music 1998: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. 26 December 1998. p. YE-84.
  60. ^ "Best of '98: Most Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. 25 December 1998. p. 35.
  61. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  62. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  63. ^ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. 25 December 1999. p. 148. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  64. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. 24 December 1999. p. 54.
  65. ^ "Most Played Modern Rock Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. 24 December 1999. p. 36.
  66. ^ "The Best of '99: Most Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. 24 December 1999. p. 38.
  67. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  68. ^ "Danish single certifications – Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  69. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Eagle-Eye Cherry; 'Save Tonight')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  70. ^ "Italian single certifications – Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  71. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  72. ^ "British single certifications – Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  73. ^ Haskell, Duncan (20 May 2019). "How I wrote 'Save Tonight' by Eagle-Eye Cherry". Songwriting Magazine. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  74. ^ "Reviews – For Records Out on 15 June 1998" (PDF). Music Week. 6 June 1998. p. 22. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  75. ^ "New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1256. 10 July 1998. p. 39. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  76. ^ "E.M.D. – Save Tonight". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
[edit]