Fishin' in the Dark
"Fishin' in the Dark" is a song written by Wendy Waldman and Jim Photoglo, and recorded by American country music group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, with Jimmy Ibbotson singing lead vocals. It was released on June 7, 1987, as the second single from their album Hold On. The song reached number one on the country charts of both Billboard in the United States and RPM in Canada, and has been described as the band's signature song.
Content
The song is about a couple who plan to have a romantic encounter together at night while fishing. "Fishin' in the Dark" has a fast tempo in the key of D major, with its verses based mainly around an open fifth consisting of D and A. Jimmy Ibbotson, then the band's bass guitarist, sings lead vocals.Co-writer Jim Photoglo, a native of California, made trips to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1984 at the suggestion of songwriter Wendy Waldman. While staying at a Shoney's Inn in Nashville, he began playing open fifths on his guitar into a tape recorder. Waldman suggested the title "Fishin' in the Dark" after listening to A Prairie Home Companion on the radio. As both they and record producer Josh Leo lived in the same apartment complex, Leo became aware of the song and recommended it to Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, for whom he was producing at the time. Before the band recorded it, Ed Bruce also included a version on his 1986 album Night Things.
Almost three decades after the song's release, Photoglo would join Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, taking over for Ibbotson on bass guitar.