Photo: Nsoveiko, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Our top 10 Blackmore’s Night songs list looks at the body of work of a folk-rock band formed by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and his wife Candice Night. Before the formation of Blackmore’s Night, Ritchie Blackmore was already a rock and roll legend from his days in Deep Purple and later in Rainbow, which is pretty much classic rock 101. Candice Night was an avid fan of Blackmore’s Rainbow. The two met for the first time in 1989 when Candice was still working at a local radio station. What started as a request for an autograph culminated in more than just love but also a lifestyle in music together! Two years after meeting, Ritchie and Candice started living together.
Ritchie tagged Candice in the new line-up of his band Blackmore’s Rainbow. In Rainbow, Candice provided backing vocals and contributed lyrics to several songs on Stranger in Us All (1995). Blackmore’s Rainbow has not released another album since 1995. Ritchie was inspired to form a new ensemble with his companion Candice after discovering that they both had a passion for Renaissance music.
As a result of their shared love for Renaissance music, Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night formed Blackmore’s Night. Without hesitation, Blackmore’s Night released its debut album, Shadow of the Moon, in 1997. The album brought the band successful days, selling more than one hundred thousand copies in Japan. Shadow of the Moon also managed to stay on the German charts for seventeen weeks, peaking at number twenty-five. Vocalist Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull was a guest artist on the album, this time not on vocals but on the flute.
Blackmore’s Night’s sophomore album, Under a Violet Moon, was recorded and released in 1999. The band continued to enjoy a successful start. Thanks to this album, Blackmore’s Night won the New Age Voice Award for Best Vocal Album of the Year. The album managed to chart in Japan and Germany. Under a Violet Moon saw Blackmore’s Night increasing the use of rock guitars while still retaining its folk music sound.
Their third album, Fires at Midnight (2001), featured even more rock guitar sounds than the previous album. The album led the band to success, thanks to notable chart performances in Germany, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, and the UK. Blackmore’s Night started performing at Renaissance fairs and embarked on multiple tours, especially in Europe. In most cases, the band performed in historic environs, with the audience often garbed in period costumes.
With later releases, Candice became more involved in playing instruments for the band. While the band wrote most of its songs, Blackmore’s Night also covered songs by other reputable artists, including Joan Baez, Jethro Tull, Joan Osborne, and Ralph McTell.
Ritchie and Candice have been the only constant members of Blackmore’s Night, with additional personnel changing from time to time. Blackmore’s Night has released eleven studio albums to date. Candice also has two studio albums, Reflections (2011) and Starlight Starbright (2015), under her name. Here we present the best Blackmore’s Night songs of all time.
# 10- Nature’s Light
Ushering us to the top 10 Blackmore’s Night songs is the hit “Nature’s Light.” The song serves as the album title track to the most recent release by the band. Like most of the ballads in the album, “Nature’s Light” is a song meant to brighten up dark hearts and moments. The song evokes the spirit of the band’s album Shadow of the Moon (1997).
# 9 – Wish You Were Here
“Wish You Were Here” is a musical gem featured on Blackmore’s Night’s debut album, Shadow of the Moon (1997). The song was initially released by the Swedish Eurodance group Rednex on their debut studio album, Sex & Violins (1995). Blackmore’s Night covered the song, infusing it with a folk feel. Candice Night delivers crystalline vocals that convey the deep emotions she holds for the person she misses. And no, this is not a cover of Pink Floyd’s classic.
# 8- Just Call My Name (I’ll Be There)
Coming in at number eight is the folk ode “Just Call My Name (I’ll Be There).” The song is featured on The Village Lanterne (2006). “Just Call My Name (I’ll Be There)” is an upbeat hit that alludes to two people in love, with one promising to be there whenever needed. Many have speculated that the song is personal to Candice Night, suggesting that she penned it about her relationship with Ritchie Blackmore from her standpoint.
# 7- Locked Within the Crystal Ball
“Locked Within the Crystal Ball” is our number seven best Blackmore’s Night song. It is featured on the band’s album Secret Voyage (2008). The song balances the band’s usual folk-rock sound and a pop-influenced sound. “Locked Within the Crystal Ball” showcases the magical musicianship by the two lovers. Candice’s vocals complement the energy that Ritchie’s guitar licks offer.
#6- Fires at Midnight
Number six on our top 10 Blackmore’s Night songs is the hit “Fires at Midnight.” The song is the title track of the band’s third studio album. “Fires at Midnight” is based on a composition by Alfonso The Wise of Castile. Vocalist Candice Night and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore first heard the song from German folk singers. The song alludes to the superstitions and old-age narratives of how stars can guide and even speak to us, if only we listen to them.
# 5- Second Element
Nature’s Light (2021) is home to our number five song on our top 10 Blackmore’s Night songs, “Second Element.” Blackmore’s Night vocalist Candice Night revealed that “Second Element” is a love ode dedicated to water, the source of all our lives. Sarah Brightman initially released the song on her album Dive (1993).
#4- The Moon is Shining (Somewhere over the Sea)
“The Moon is Shining (Somewhere over the Sea)” is one of the brightest ballads from the band’s ninth studio album, Dancer and the Moon (2013). Ritchie revealed that the song is based on a haunting yet melodic old folk Czech ode. Once more, the song’s arrangement and awe-inspiring vocals by Candice make this song quite a memorable musical gem.
# 3- Under a Violet Moon
Coming in at number three is “Under a Violet Moon.” The song serves as the album title track to the band’s sophomore album. Ritchie Blackmore partly penned its lyrics. “Under a Violet Moon” is a medieval sing-along drinking ode that shares some lyrics with “The Lincolnshire Poacher,” an English folk song.
# 2- Dancer and the Moon
“Dancer and the Moon” is the title track to the band’s ninth studio album. It is the band’s third release to reference the moon, after “The Moon is Shining (Somewhere over the Sea)” and “Under a Violet Moon.” “Dancer and the Moon is an enchanting ballad that the band lauds as the emotional representation of its music.
# 1 – Ghost of a Rose
Number one on our top 10 Blackmore’s Night songs list is the hit “Ghost of a Rose.” The song is the title track of Blackmore’s Night’s fourth studio album. “Ghost of a Rose” is a romantic ode that finds the band giving one of its best performances. The song tells of a free-spirited fairy who gets separated from her true lover. However, she remains in his heart thanks to the photographic memory he gets of her any time he sees a rose flower.
Updated August 6, 2024
Top 10 Blackmore’s Night Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
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