The Origins of Conway Twitty‘s “Red Neckin’ Love Makin’ Night”
Crafting a legendary melody often involves an unsung partnership, and in the realm of 1970s and ’80s songwriting, Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes emerged as an exceptionally prolific yet underappreciated duo. Their collaborative magic reached its zenith with Conway Twitty’s chart-topping hit, “Red Neckin’ Love Makin’ Night,” a song that resonated with audiences far beyond its release in 1982.
The creative synergy between Seals and Barnes began with an unexpected connection – their children playing together in the neighborhood. Living just down the street from each other, the revelation that both fathers were talented songwriters set the stage for not just a friendship but a flourishing songwriting partnership. Their joint efforts resulted in acclaimed hits for George Jones, Waylon Jennings, and Keith Whitley, but perhaps their most steadfast ally was Conway Twitty.
Twitty, known for hits like “I Can’t Love You Enough” and “From Seven Till Ten,” formed a successful trifecta with Seals and Barnes, claiming two #1 solo hits with their compositions – “Don’t Take It Away” and the aforementioned “Red Neckin’ Love Makin’ Night.”
Their ability to tailor songs to artists’ desires became a signature skill, and “Red Neckin’ Love Makin’ Night” was no exception. Prompted by Conway’s request for an upbeat, summer-themed track, Seals and Barnes crafted the song in just two nights. Despite Twitty’s intention to release it during the warmer months, circumstances beyond his control led to its unveiling in the winter of 1981.
Adding a unique twist to the song’s narrative was a line that playfully jabbed at Jerry Lee Lewis with the words, “Eat your heart out, Killer!” Coincidentally, the release coincided with Lewis undergoing major surgery for a perforated stomach, casting an unforeseen shadow on the song’s timing. Thankfully, Lewis made a triumphant recovery, turning the seemingly ill-timed jest into a heartwarming salute.
“Red Neckin’ Love Makin’ Night” ascended to the pinnacle of Billboard’s country singles chart on January 23, 1982, marking Conway Twitty’s final #1 hit for Decca/MCA. A remarkable journey awaited Twitty on his new label, Elektra, where he continued his reign with eight more chart-toppers. The song not only secured Twitty’s 32nd Billboard #1 but also paved the way for an extraordinary total of 40 chart-topping hits, including his subsequent successes on Elektra and Warner Bros. Beyond Billboard, Twitty’s legacy extended with an additional 15 #1 singles on various charts, leaving an indelible mark on the country music landscape.
- Artist: Conway Twitty
- Album: Mr. T
- Released: 1981
- Genre: Country
Lyrics
Hey!
Hello baby, Conway here
Let me lay this in your ear
Get ready to go
We gonna roll about sundown
I got some boogie woogie music
On the old 8-track
Yeah, I got the top laid back
We’ll go cruisin’
We’ll go foolin’ around
Well here I am baby, ready to play
Slide it on in, we’ll slip away
We gotta get it, we ain’t got a minute to waste
I got a 6-pack of longnecks
In the trunk on ice
Oohh – but, you sure look nice
Makes me want to hug you
And kiss you all over your face
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night
You ain’t had much till you
Been touched in the moonlight
You feel it most when you get
Real close and you hold on tight
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night
— Instrumental —
Stars in your eyes, wind in your hair
Oh, what a down home love affair
When we go out walkin’
We know what we’re talkin’ about
Listen to the wipperwills
How they sing
Just like us, they doin’ their thin’
We know what we got
When the night gets hot down south
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night
You ain’t had much till you
Been touched in the moonlight
You feel it most when you get
Real close and you hold on tight
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night
You ain’t had much till you
Been touched in the moonlight
You feel it most when you get
Real close and you hold on tight
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night
Laugh… HEY!
Eat your heart out children
Laugh …you know I love you
(Red neckin’, love makin’ night)
Now don’t wreck-in my phone son
Let him in there
Hey, hey, hey
(Hold on tight)
(Ah yes)
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night
You ain’t had much till you
Been touched in the moonlight
You feel it most when you get
Real close and you hold on tight
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night
It’s a red-neckin’, love-makin’ night…