I heard this song while driving on a long roadie the other night and I now realize that I never fully appreciated Seger the way I should have.
The double entendre of the song’s title is a story in its own right, but what really struck me was how he successfully incorporated the spirit of blues into that song. He’s just so soulful. A masterpiece of blues rock.
I always felt Seger was just okay, and that his “proto blues” sound was more of a schtick to me than out of any natural talent for playing it on he or his band’s part. He certainly has a following though.
Personally, I don’t think he was quite able to replicate what he achieved in Night Moves. Against the Wind, Like a Rock – good songs, but he really got it right in that one song.
Back when I listened to the radio in my car, I had the Bob Seger Rule: as soon as I heard a Bob Seger song start, I’d turn the radio to another station.
I don’t get why people like those songs. All they are is Bob bragging about how great he is or was.
Even worse is Turn the Page. It’s the whiniest, bragging-est song ever that isn’t a rap track! I know lots of people my age who think that song is some sort of a sacred anthem, but the only song that makes me change stations just as fast is Free Bird.
Oh, about Night Moves- there was a time I liked it. It’s one of Seger’s better efforts.
And play what instead?
Ca. 1990, I dated a man who owned a used record store. The artists I remember whose LPs, cassettes, and CDs he couldn’t give away were Asia, Twisted Sister, Huey Lewis & The News, and Bob Seger.
That last one was surprising to me, but yeah, he said that everyone who wanted his records already had them.
Pretty much whatever any other station had was fine, as long it wasn’t also Bob Seger.
My friend once opined (tongue firmly in cheek) that when he asked a girl “what’s your favorite Bob Segar song?” If she didn’t say “Night Moves” it was not meant to be…
It was only good after it was re-released for his Greatest Hits with Matt Leblanc in the video.
I’m not a Seger fan but he sang the shit out of that song. I can’t think of a better way to describe it.
The idea of Matt Leblanc in a video of that song is just…weird.
When he sings “points of her own sittin way up high” my skin crawls just about OFF.
Bob Seger was definitely part of the soundtrack of my childhood and, while I wouldn’t go out of my way to hear them, most of the songs I occasionally hear on the radio are like running into an old acquaintance; I don’t want to hang out all day but a short chat is pleasant.
As for Night Moves, most definitely one of his best and just a damn good tune period. I didn’t like it as much when I was a kid as I preferred bouncier stuff you could sing along to. Today, I find it very evocative and can get lost in it if I’m in the right mood.
Here is recently revived zombie about the lyrics.
That pretty much sums it up for me. For the longest time, I never thought of Seger as anything particularly special, but I don’t know, I’ve always like the song for as long as I can remember hearing it. But it clicked when I listened to it the other night: that one song was a stroke of genius and an example of someone really catching the spirit of soul or blues/rock - whatever we want to call it. He starts out like he’s sitting around a campfire telling a story, and it’s like he recalls being in the moment. You can hear him connecting with his youth. The transition to “Funny how the night moves” is a moment of reflection in the middle of the night when no one’s around. And then toward the end he transitions back to reliving those youthful moments again and he just sounds so soulful.
If you don’t get up and dance when “Old Time Rock and Roll” is played, I don’t want to know you.
Call me a relic, call me what you will.
Say I’m old fashion, say I’m over the hill.
Today’s music ain’t got the same soul.
I like that old time rock and roll.
Nothing sacred about Turn the Page, but Metallica took that song and did it the way it was meant to be done.
***WARNING - Video NSFW
I don’t mind Seger. I would never seek out any of his stuff; but when it comes on the radio, it’s like relaxing background music for me.
Well, because Night Moves is a Biob SegEr song. 
And really, the answer is Turn the Page (live), followed by Hollywood Nights.
Even if Turn the Page is just another of a long string of rock stars signing about how haaaaaarrd, man it is to tour and make oodles of money and sleep with an endless sting of anonymous groupies. Life is so haaaaard, man.
Though he does sign about it really well.
Does anyone remember American Pop, and the scene using Night Moves? A high spot in an otherwise very mediocre movie.
We called them “gofer” tunes. As in, as soon as you hear the opening note, you go fer the knob and turn the station. We were in top shape- we could change Freeze Frame before the cameras stopped clicking.
True story - I was in a car with three other people and Turn the Page came on, and the three other people all said, simultaneously and unrehearsed, “this is my favorite Bob Seger song”, and the only reason I didn’t is because I didn’t want to interrupt.
Night Moves was another of those albums that when I was in college EVERYONE who had at least 10-20 albums had. I was never a big fan, but thought it fine for what it was - just big, bar rock. I listen to it every year or so and enjoy it - and then don’t think of it for another year or so.