"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, from his 1972 album One Man Dog. The song has been included on three of Taylor's greatest-hits collection albums: Greatest Hits (1976), Classic Songs (1987) and The Best of James Taylor (2003). Taylor re-recorded the song for the 2001 Michael Brecker album Nearness of You: The Ballad Book; this rendition won Taylor the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 2002.
"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" | ||||
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Single by James Taylor | ||||
from the album One Man Dog | ||||
B-side | "Woh, Don't You Know" | |||
Released | November 1972 | |||
Genre | Folk rock | |||
Length | 2:34 | |||
Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Songwriter(s) | James Taylor | |||
Producer(s) | Peter Asher | |||
James Taylor singles chronology | ||||
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Billboard described "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" as a "ballad beauty."[1] Record World called it a "superb lilting ballad featuring stunning Peter Asher production work and a terrific saxophone finale."[2] AllMusic reviewer Bill Janovitz wrote that the song is "a stunning example of the Tin Pan Alley-type of jazzy romantic ballad", and that the song's lyrics, about "a betrayed lover who allows his lonely heart to control his head", were unusual in that songs on that theme were usually performed by female artists.[3] Berwyn Life critic Steve Sparacio said that it "is simply one of the most beautiful ballads in existence."[4]
It was released as the lead single from the album, and peaked at No. 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100,[5] reaching its peak position on January 13, 1973. It also reached No. 3 Easy Listening.[6] In Canada, the song reached No. 18 on the Pop Singles chart and No. 7 AC.
The song has been recorded by the following artists: