Patti Smith - Because the Night
Hello! Below you'll find my "Because the Night" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Patti Smith is based around a really beautiful and haunting piano riff. The chords themselves are easy, though some of the rhythms are challenging. Feel free to simplify.
Enjoy!
Because the Night Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Because the Night:
Because the Night Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| Bm G | A Bm | x2
| Bm G | A Bm | x2
[Verse 1]
Bm G A Bm
Take me now, baby, here as I am
Bm G A Bm
Pull me close try and understand
Bm G A Bm
Desire is hunger, is the fire I breathe
Bm G A Bm
Love is a banquet on which we feed
[Prechorus 1]
G A D A
Come on now, try and understand
Bm Gmaj7 A
the way I feel when I'm in your hand
D Gmaj7 A
Take my hand; come under cover
C Bm
They can't hurt you now, can't hurt you now
F#
Can't hurt you now
[Chorus]
Bm G A
Because the night belongs to lovers
Bm G A Bm
Because the night belongs to lust
Bm G A
Because the night belongs to lovers
Bm G A Bm
Because the night belongs to us
[Verse 2]
Bm G A Bm
Have I doubt when I'm alone?
Bm G A Bm
Love is a ring on the telephone
Bm G A Bm
Love is an angel disguised as lust
Bm G A Bm
here in our bed until the morning comes
[Prechorus 2]
G A D A
Come on now, try and understand
Bm Gmaj7 A
The way I feel under your command
D Gmaj7 A
Take my hand as the sun descends
C Bm
They can't touch you now, can't touch you now
The way I feel under your command
D Gmaj7 A
Take my hand as the sun descends
C Bm
They can't touch you now, can't touch you now
F#
Can't touch you now
[Chorus]
Bm G A
Because the night belongs to lovers
Bm G A Bm
Because the night belongs to lust
Bm G A
Because the night belongs to lovers
Bm G A Bm
Because the night belongs to us
[Solo]
| G A | D A | Bm Gmaj7 | Gmaj7 A | D Gmaj7 | Gmaj7 A |
| G | G |
[Bridge]
D A D A Bm A
With love we sleep; with doubt the vicious circle turns and burns
D A Bm A D
Without you I cannot live, forgive the yearning burning
G D G
I believe it's time, too real to feel
Bm D G F#
So touch me now, touch me now, touch me now
[Chorus]
Bm G A
Because the night belongs to lovers
Bm G A Bm
Because the night belongs to lust
Bm G A
Because the night belongs to lovers
Bm G A Bm
Because the night belongs to us
Bm G A
Because tonight there are two lovers
Bm G A Bm
If we believe in the night we trust
Bm G A
Because the night belongs to lovers
Bm G A Bm
Because the night belongs to us
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Because the Night Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Because the Night" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Because the Night" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
