Neil Young's acclaimed sixth studio album, 'Tonight's The Night,' will be reissued on November 28, 2025, to mark its 50th anniversary. This special edition includes an expanded tracklist with six bonus songs, some previously unreleased, and features updated cover art. The album, originally released in June 1975, was recorded in August 1973 under difficult circumstances, reflecting a raw and intense period for the artist.
Key Takeaways
- Neil Young's 'Tonight's The Night' receives a 50th-anniversary reissue.
- The new edition features an expanded 18-track list, including six bonus songs.
- Two bonus tracks, 'Walk On' and 'Tonight's The Night (take 3),' are previously unreleased.
- The album's 'Lookout Joe' track is replaced with a version from the original 1973 S.I.R. sessions.
- Reissue will be available on 2LP black vinyl and CD formats from Warner Records.
Expanded Edition Features New Tracks and Art
The 50th-anniversary edition of 'Tonight's The Night' offers fans an 18-track experience, an increase from its original 12 songs. This expanded version aims to provide a more complete picture of the recording sessions. The album will be available on both a 2LP black vinyl set and a CD, both featuring newly enhanced cover art.
Among the significant changes is the inclusion of a different version of 'Lookout Joe.' The new edition replaces the earlier 1972 recording from Young's Broken Arrow Ranch with a version captured during the actual 'Tonight's The Night' sessions at S.I.R. studios in 1973. This change aligns the track more closely with the album's core recording period.
Album Fact
The original 'Tonight's The Night' album was recorded in August 1973 at S.I.R. studios, but not released until June 1975.
Unreleased and Rare Bonus Material
Six bonus tracks are part of this anniversary release. All these additional songs were recorded during the original S.I.R. sessions. Two of these tracks, 'Walk On' and 'Tonight's The Night (take 3),' have never been officially released before. 'Walk On' was later re-recorded for Young's 1974 album 'On The Beach.'
Other bonus tracks include 'Everybody's Alone,' 'Raised on Robbery' (which features Joni Mitchell), and 'Speakin' Out Jam.' While these three tracks have appeared on 'Archives Vol II,' their inclusion here provides a comprehensive look at the 'Tonight's The Night' era. Additionally, 'Wonderin',' previously only available for streaming on Neil Young Archives (NYA), is now included in a physical format.
"I loved Danny. I felt responsible," Neil Young once stated, referencing the profound impact of Danny Whitten's death on the album's creation.
The Album's Raw Origins and Personal Tragedies
'Tonight's The Night' is known for its raw and emotionally charged sound. This intensity directly stemmed from the personal losses Neil Young experienced leading up to and during its creation. The album was recorded in the aftermath of two significant deaths: Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten and Young's friend and roadie Bruce Berry.
Danny Whitten passed away in November 1972 from a combination of diazepam and alcohol. This occurred shortly after Young had dismissed him from the band due to his struggles with heroin addiction. Bruce Berry died in June 1973 due to a heroin overdose. Berry's brother, Ken Berry, operated the S.I.R. studios where the album was recorded, adding another layer of personal connection to the recording location.
Historical Context
The album's somber tone and direct lyrical content are often seen as a direct response to the drug-related deaths of Young's close associates, making it one of his most personal works.
Tracklist Details for the 50th Anniversary Edition
The updated tracklist for 'Tonight's The Night 50' begins and ends with the title track, mirroring the original album's structure. The full 18-track listing is as follows:
- Tonight’s The Night
- Speakin’ Out
- World On A String
- Borrowed Tune
- Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown
- Mellow My Mind
- Roll Another Number (For The Road)
- Albuquerque
- New Mama
- Lookout Joe [New 1973 version]
- Tired Eyes
- Tonight’s The Night (part II)
Bonus Tracks (from original TTN sessions at S.I.R.):
- Walk On (Previously unreleased)
- Wonderin’
- Everybody’s Alone
- Raised On Robbery [feat. Joni Mitchell]
- Speakin’ Out Jam
- Tonight’s The Night (take 3) (Previously unreleased)
Availability and Pricing
The 'Tonight's The Night 50' reissue will be available globally through Warner Records starting November 28, 2025. Pre-order options are currently available for both the CD and 2LP vinyl formats. Prices vary by region and retailer.
For example, the CD edition is listed around £12.34 in the USA and £19.35 in Germany. The 2LP vinyl version is priced at approximately £37.87 in Germany and £41.18 in the USA. These prices are subject to change and currency fluctuations.
This release follows other 50th-anniversary editions from Neil Young's catalog, such as 'On The Beach 50' and 'Time Fades Away 50.' Fans have expressed excitement for the previously unreleased material and the comprehensive nature of this new collection.
The album's impact remains significant, with many critics and fans considering it one of Young's most profound and honest works. The expanded edition offers a fresh opportunity to revisit this pivotal moment in his career.