10 Songs That Capture That Night Feeling

Sometimes, when I'm alone at night, I'll get this thoughtful, melancholy feeling that makes me nostalgic for a place I've never been. The feeling tends to strike when I'm driving around or walking through a city street with streetlights shining overhead. I thought it was just me, but when I discovered that the so-called "night feeling" has an entire subreddit dedicated to it, I realized that people all over the world can relate.

When you can't hit the streets, looking at pictures of highways and neighborhoods can evoke this sensation. I've found that certain songs also capture this vibe, often without trying. Nighttime lovers rejoice: if you can't relate to summer or tropical playlists, here's a list of ten songs chosen specifically for you.

1. Dust and Turpentine by Seam

Nineties slowcore is the perfect vehicle for the night feeling, and Seam's 1993 track, "Dust and Turpentine," captures the decade's ennui with quiet, understated vocals and subtle arrangements. Near the end, the song erupts with a single command: "Don't you tell me what to do." I think we've all had that thought during our nighttime ruminations.

2. Get Lucky by Heatmiser

"Get Lucky" has a calm, grungey vibe that makes me think of late-night drives, red-eye flights and solitary hotel stays. Like a road trip gone wrong, the song builds momentum without going anywhere. No explosive chorus after the hook: just steady arrangements that allow your mind to wander during your drive.

3. Love to Burn by Seahaven

After a slow, trickling start, "Love to Burn" plunges into a searing, feverish rhythm that sounds like the last rays of sunlight before the sun dips below the horizon. It takes a few listens to appreciate the multi-layered arrangements, but once you've gotten a hold on this track, you might find yourself going outside and gazing up at the stars for a while.

4. Teenage Wristband by The Twilight Singers

"Teenage Wristband" starts with a glittery intro, then slides into a world of late-night escapes and secret adventures. The passionate vocals make you feel like eloping with your partner and getting married in Vegas. For the full effect, try listening to this song when you're driving at night with the windows down.

5. Baby Was the Devil by Robert Francis

While the night feeling is usually a solitary experience, "Baby Was the Devil" captures another aspect of the late evening and early morning hours--the thrill of hitting the road with your partner or closest friends. However, while the track might sound like the perfect bar-hopping anthem, the lyrics reveal a darker tale of a fading relationship.

6. Seventeen by Welles

Dark and brooding, "Seventeen" is the soundtrack to cold winter nights when you're longing for a person, a place from the past--or maybe something that never existed at all. The slow, careful arrangements capture the essence of an evening that feels like it'll last forever. As a bonus, the lyrics have a lot of meaning for Jesse Welles' queer fans.

7. And She Would Darken The Memory by The Twilight Sad

Turns out, The Twilight Sad and The Twilight Singers aren't the same band like I initially thought. In any case, they both make dreamy, melancholy music that seems to pull inspiration from your deepest memories. With a mournful sound and echoing vocals, "And She Would Darken The Memory" can turn an evening walk into a spiritual awakening.

8. Midnight: Carroll Street by Into It. Over It.

"Midnight: Carroll Street" is a character study that feels personal and universal at the same time. As the song gradually builds to its intense finale, I imagine the narrator wandering around suburban neighborhoods with the moon overhead, hoping he can summon the courage to confront somebody--or hear their side of the story.

9. No Trivia by From Autumn To Ashes

Sorrow hits differently in autumn, and with the quiet, creeping intro and strained vocals, "No Trivia" captures the anguish of an evening that will haunt you for the rest of your life. If you've ever watched your soul mate marry someone else, this track gives you an outlet to dwell on it for a while; if not, this song will probably remind you of something equally painful.

10. Parking Lot by Mineral

"Parking Lot" has a certain vibe that captures the loneliness of winter nights when you're stranded in a snow-covered parking lot or scrolling through social media in a gas station restroom. This isn't a great song for 8 A.M. workouts; instead, it's best to wait for the sun to go down and let the opening line hit you with "I wouldn't mind if you took me in my sleep tonight."

What do you think about these tracks? Which songs on your playlists bring on the night feeling? Let me know in the comments.