Unveiling the Tale Behind the Iconic Song: “Paradise Tonight”
Composed by Mark Wright and Bill Kenner
The year was 1983, and the country music scene was bustling with artists seeking the perfect duet partner to harmonize with. Mickey Gilley, a renowned figure in country music, was on the lookout for the ideal female collaborator to bring his musical vision to life. It was during this time that fate intervened, as Mickey Gilley made a guest appearance alongside Charly McClain on the popular NBC TV series “CHiPs.” Little did they know that this chance encounter would set the stage for a musical partnership that would become legendary.
Prior to their television rendezvous, Mickey and Charly had been aware of each other’s careers, but they had never really crossed paths. It was during a casual conversation that Mickey pitched the idea of a duet, sensing that Charly might be the perfect match. Charly responded politely, but in her heart, she harbored reservations about duets. She had previously ventured into the world of duets in 1979 when she teamed up with Johnny Rodriguez for “I Hate The Way I Love It,” a song that climbed to #16 on the Billboard country chart. However, the logistical nightmare of coordinating their schedules had left Charly somewhat wary of collaborations.
Approximately three months later, Charly McClain found herself in Nashville, where she was recording new material at The Music Mill studio. It was during this time that her manager, John Lentz, discovered that Mickey Gilley was also in town and decided to arrange an impromptu meeting. Instead of immediately proposing the duet idea, Lentz simply asked Gilley to drop by and say hello. However, once Mickey arrived at the studio, the idea of a duet materialized swiftly.
The stars aligned when songwriters Mark Wright and Bill Kenner happened to be at The Music Mill that day. They had just penned a song called “Paradise Tonight.” As news of the potential duet between Mickey and Charly started circulating around the studio, Wright and Kenner began to make lyrical adjustments to transform the song into a captivating duet. While Charly was already acquainted with “Paradise Tonight,” Mickey had to swiftly learn it on the spot. Producer Norro Wilson played a crucial role in coaching Mickey through the harmony lines, a novel experience for him that presented some challenges.
Initially, Mickey Gilley viewed the project as a mere rehearsal, an “experiment” to gauge whether a formal duet recording might be in the cards for the future. However, Norro Wilson had other plans. He took the vocals from that impromptu session, masterfully mixed them, and included the duet on Charly McClain’s “Paradise” album. Shortly thereafter, Charly McClain embarked on a romantic journey with soap opera star Wayne Massey, who would later become her husband. When Epic Records expressed interest in releasing the duet as a single, Wayne Massey, with his persuasive charm, convinced Charly that it was the right step to take. On October 15, 1983, “Paradise Tonight” ascended to the pinnacle of Billboard’s country singles chart, solidifying its status as a chart-topping hit.
The success of “Paradise Tonight” propelled Charly McClain and Mickey Gilley to collaborate further, culminating in the release of an entire duet album titled “It Takes Believers.” This musical partnership continued to thrive, yielding another Top Five single with their enchanting rendition of Roy Orbison’s classic, “Candy Man.” In the annals of country music history, “Paradise Tonight” stands as a testament to the serendipitous convergence of talent, passion, and destiny, creating a melody that still resonates with audiences today.
Artist: Mickey Gilley & Charly McClain
Released: 1983
Album: Paradise
Lyrics
Honestly, I can’t believe the magic you do
Never seen anything as lovely as you
I was so afraid, I was so alone an’ blue
So I took you in my arms, now I’m goin’ home with you
I’m gonna wake up in your arms tomorrow
You gonna make it the night of my life
I’m gonna wake up in your arms tomorrow
Thank you for takin’ me to paradise tonight
Oh I was so afraid, I was so alone an’ blue
So I took you in my arms, now I’m goin’ home with you
I’m gonna wake up in your arms tomorrow
You gonna make it the night of my life
I’m gonna wake up in your arms tomorrow
Thank you for takin’ me to paradise tonight
Ooh, so this is paradise
Ooh, so this is paradise
Paradise all night
I’m gonna wake up in your arms tomorrow
You gonna make it the night of my life
I’m gonna wake up in your arms tomorrow
Thank you for takin’ me to paradise tonight
Ooh, so this is paradise
Ooh, so this is paradise
Paradise all night
I’m gonna wake up in your arms tomorrow
You gonna make it the night of my life
I’m gonna wake up in your arms tomorrow
Thank you for takin’ me to paradise tonight
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