About the song
Kenny Rogers, a beloved country music singer and songwriter, penned “Daytime Friends” as a poignant ballad about the complexities of relationships. This introspective song, released in 1978, became a hit single and a staple of Rogers’ live performances.
With his distinctive voice and heartfelt delivery, Rogers explores the themes of love, loss, and the challenges of maintaining friendships over time. Through emotive vocals and evocative imagery, listeners are invited to reflect on their own experiences and the complexities of human connection.
The opening lines, “We’re daytime friends, nighttime strangers,” immediately establish the song’s central theme. Rogers describes the superficial nature of his relationships, where people are friendly during the day but distant at night. The song’s refrain, “Daytime friends, nighttime strangers, that’s what we’ve been,” conveys a sense of loneliness and a longing for deeper connections.
Throughout the song, Rogers uses vivid imagery and relatable anecdotes to illustrate the challenges of maintaining friendships. He references the “busy lives” that keep people apart and the “changing times” that can strain relationships. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and a longing for simpler times, while also highlighting the importance of genuine human connection.
“Daytime Friends” is more than just a sad song; it is a reflection on the human condition and the complexities of relationships. Rogers’ heartfelt lyrics and soulful performance resonate with listeners of all ages, reminding us of the importance of genuine connection and the challenges of maintaining friendships over time. This timeless classic continues to touch the hearts of audiences worldwide, serving as a reminder that even the strongest bonds can be tested by the pressures of life.
Video
Lyrics
And he’ll tell her he’s working late again
But she knows too well there’s something going on
She’s been neglected, and she needs a friend
So her trembling fingers dial the telephone
Lord, it hurts her doing this again
He’s the best friend that her husband ever knew
When she’s lonely, he’s more than just a friend
He’s the one she longs to give her body to
Daytime friends and nighttime lovers
Hoping no one else discovers
Where they go, what they do, in their secret hideaway
Daytime friends and nighttime lovers
They don’t want to hurt the others
So they love in the nighttime
And shake hands in the light of day
When it’s over, there’s no peace of mind
Just a longing for the way things should have been
And she wonders why some men never find
That a woman needs a lover and a friend
Daytime friends and nighttime lovers
Hoping no one else discovers
Where they go, what they do, in their secret hideaway
Daytime friends and nighttime lovers
They don’t want to hurt the others
So they love in the nighttime
And shake hands in the light of day
Daytime friends and nighttime lovers
Hoping no one else discovers
Where they go, what they do, in their secret hideaway
Daytime friends and nighttime lovers
They don’t want to hurt the others
So they love in the nighttime
And shake hands in the light of day
Daytime friends and nighttime lovers
Hoping no one else discovers
Where they go, what they do, in their secret hideaway