"On a Night Like This" is a song written by Bob Dylan and recorded in November 1973. It first appeared on Dylan's 14th studio album, Planet Waves, as the opening track. It was also released as the lead single from the album and reached #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 The song later appeared on several Dylan compilation albums including Biograph, in 1985, and Dylan (three-disc version), in 2007. Recording The song was written in New York a month before the first recording session at the Village Recorder. Dylan and The Band recorded the song ten times, the tenth being used on the album. Dylan plays his harmonica solo in the key of F. As of 2021, Dylan has never performed the song live in concert. Lyrics and music According to Dylan, "On a Night Like This" was not a typical song for him to write, saying that it "comes off as sort of like a drunk man who's temporarily sober." Dylan biographer Clinton Heylin found the song a disappointing start to Planet Waves. However, he did acknowledge some positive features: that "playing swings" and that Dylan is in good voice. He also acknowledges some clever lyrics. For example, he sees in the lines: a clever take on Jack Kerouac's use of the phrase "burn, burn, burn" in On the Road in which Dylan's meaning is the opposite of Kerouac's. He also finds amusement in Dylan's reference to Fats Domino and Dylan's own "The Man in Me" in the lines: Author Oliver Trager noted the "rustic" feel resulting from the "twangy, loose musicianship" and that song produces visceral effects in allowing the listener to feel the window frost and smell the burning wood described in the song. Trager particularly praises Dylan's harmonica and Garth Hudson's accordion playing. Reception Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine rates the song's "unassuming nature" as a "virtue". Billboard described the song as "a spunky tune about reminiscences and things that sure feel right" and stated that Dylan's vocal performance sounded strained. Cash Box called it a "lively track" saying "strong, usual vocal by the master is backed by even stronger musical representation by The Band with a heavy concentration on harp." PopMatters critic David Pike rated it one of the "41 essential pop/rock songs with accordion," calling it "a rollicking, zydeco-tinged workout with an intense outro duet for Garth Hudson’s accordion and Dylan’s harmonica." Personnel Credits