Flashback Friday: Fishin’ in the Dark

It’s been over 20 years since its release.

In 1987, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band released their biggest single Fishin’ In The Dark and country music would never be the same. The song would become a huge hit that just about every person recognizes.

With the popularity of the song over the last twenty years it should come as no surprise the song was recently certified Gold by the RIAA for digital sales of over 500,000 downloads.

To celebrate the certification of the single I thought it would be perfect to highlight the song for Flashback Friday.

Listen to Fishin’ In The Dark…

Fishin’ in the Dark by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Even listening to the song today it’s hard to think it was released in 1987. The song has just as much appeal on radio today as it did back then. The lyrics are fun. The story is a bit ridiculous, but it works. The melody is about as catchy as a song can get. All these ingredients added up to make one of the best songs of all time.

That’s right – best songs of all time. Not just best country songs of all time.

My memories of the song date back to the school bus in grade school. My love for country music was fostered on the hourlong bus ride to and from school starting in the late 1980s and continuing through the 1990s. The bus driver only played country music and I loved it.

Fishin’ In The Dark always stood out when it came on the radio. Kids would stop whatever they were doing – screaming, talking, yelling – and sing along to the song. It was as if everybody knew the words perfectly.

Later I would dance in gym class to the song as the instructor would try to teach us line dancing. It was a song that was fun for everybody in class – a nice break from the daily grind of books and chalkboards.

Even today in my adult life I love hearing Fishin’ In The Dark. Occasionally I’ll head to a local bar and hear the cover band play the song. Everybody in the tavern will get on the dance floor and start tapping their feet. It’s as if a spell is cast on the entire crowd.

I don’t know much, but I have to think that’s the mark of one fo the greatest songs of all time.

Today The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is out on the road supporting their latest album release.

Perhaps you’ll catch them in your neck of the woods.

And you can bet they’ll play their recently certfiied Gold song Fishin’ In The Dark.

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