They Only Come Out at Night

They Only Come Out at Night
Studio album by The Edgar Winter Group
Released	November 1972
Recorded	August–September 1972
Genre	Blues rock, Funk rock, Hard rock, Instrumental rock, Progressive rock, Rock & roll
Length	34:47
Label	Epic
Producer	Rick Derringer
The Edgar Winter Group chronology
Roadwork (1972) They Only Come out at Night (1972) Shock Treatment (1974)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	(B)[2]

They Only Come Out at Night is the third studio album by The Edgar Winter Group. A commercial hit, the album reached the #3 slot on the Billboard 200 chart and also features two of the band's biggest songs: "Frankenstein" (#1 on the Billboard Hot 100) and "Free Ride" (#14 on that same chart). Musically, the album features a mixture of blues rock and pop rock influences in a generally carefree, upbeat sound.^[1] The album eventually sold two million copies.

In 2006, the album was reissued on Super Audio CD by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab as well as the 2008 Quadraphonic rendition was reissued by SBME Sony BMG (Bertelsmann Music Group) Music Entertainment.

Writer Stephen King mentioned the album in his 1975 novel 'Salem's Lot.

The album is mentioned in the song "I Love My Dad" by Sun Kil Moon on his 2014 album Benji.

The Australian cassette issue of the album in 1973 transposes "Undercover Man" and "Frankenstein" (i.e. Frankenstein ends side A instead of side B) and has a wholly different cover: a photo of the band posing against a black background.^[3]

The album was certified gold April 30, 1973 by the RIAA.^[4]

Besides being a commercial success, the album has received many highly positive critical reviews. Writing for AllMusic, critic Michael B. Smith praised the "party" and "sing-along" feel of the album. He remarked, "While this album will forever be remembered for spawning the huge hit singles 'Frankenstein' and 'Free Ride,' there's plenty more to appreciate on this stellar release."^[1]

LP Track listing

Side one:

1. "Hangin' Around" (Edgar Winter, Dan Hartman) – 3:02
2. "When It Comes" (Winter, Hartman) – 3:16
3. "Alta Mira" (Winter, Hartman) – 3:18
4. "Free Ride" (Hartman) – 3:08
5. "Undercover Man" (Winter, Hartman) – 3:49

Side two:

1. "Round & Round" (Winter) – 4:00
2. "Rock 'n' Roll Boogie Woogie Blues" (Winter, Barbara Winter, Ronnie Montrose) – 3:25
3. "Autumn" (Hartman) – 3:00
4. "We All Had a Real Good Time" (Winter, Hartman) – 3:05
5. "Frankenstein" (Winter) – 4:44

Personnel

• Johnny Badanjek – drums
• Rick Derringer – producer, bass, guitar, pedal steel, vocals, claves
• Dan Hartman – guitar, bass, percussion, maracas, ukulele, vocals
• Randy Jo Hobbs – bass
• Ronnie Montrose – guitar, mandolin
• Steve Paul – organic director
• Chuck Ruff – conga, drums, vocals
• Bill Szymczyk – technical director
• Edgar Winter – organ, synthesizer, ARP 2600, piano, marimba, saxophone, timbales, vocals, clavinet, liner notes

Cover Art

The cover art was the basis for The Edgar Winter Collection's cover art.^[5]

Notes