Incredible rock song. Perfect vocals. Benny you are immortalized in this song. We will never forget you. RIP Benny ❤🙏

ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS OF ALL

I knew Benny during these years...I was at a dinner at a restaurant where Benny and his manager and his band were being acknowledged for the tv commercial he just did at the time for Glacier Ridge...Benny and his manager took time out to say hello to me during the dinner...Benny really was a down to earth nice guy who loved his fans and who loved to make music...I was having a conversation with his manager and after a couple minutes the manager pointed to Benny and said "Look at him...He's probably telling a southern yarn to that bunch of people"... Benny even took time out to meet the waiting staff and sign autographs and even took pictures with them... He loved to sit down with people with a glass of scotch and just talk and have a good... He was a great guy and an awesome singer and he is missed still by many....

43 years old song 🎶 still incredible voice specially at the end. RIP Benny….

Lovely song, gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Been many years since this came out, still one of the best.

I love this song. The gist of the story behind the song is that the 16-year-old girl was a neighbor in a bad home situation. He watched over her and cared very much for her in a fatherly or big brotherly way.

A beautifully constructed masterpiece

I was already older when the original came out, and I never thought the artist was black. However, I grew up with the Righteous Brothers and all of the soulful sounds from artists, both black and white, in the 60s.

A month or two after this song came out, my girlfriend (at the time) and I saw him and his band perform it at a live band bar in Hialeah, Florida. It turned out she knew one of the band members and he invited us to party with them all backstage after the brief show. I won't go into details but... it was a wild and crazy night. Benny was a very fun guy.

I had almost forgotton this song, what a treat. Originally from his 1980 album, "Never Run, Never Hide", it was re-released in 1989. It is one of ten recordings to ever ascend to the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100's twice. His vocals reminds me of Steve Perry. It caused controversy when the first line mentions a 16 year girl but she actually walked his dog for S50.00 a month. After her father left Benny wanted to help support his family. Just a great tune with fabulous vocals and melodic appeal. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Neal. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

What a song!

Old times when a lyric had a meaning and the singer knew to sing.

Thank you for being so respectful!

Although he recorded many songs, this was basically a one hit wonder topping out at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Benny’s last name is actually pronounced Mar-doe-ness, 3 syllables.

You were just listening to a updated version from him. If you'll go back listen to the radio version his powerful voice really shines thru. Here he's lost some of the continuous high register singing. Go back listen you'll see what im talking about. As always great job harri keep up the good work. I've seen other reactors do the version I mention. All singers loose the power as they age. If you wanna know how people reacted to this song you gotta do the radio version then react that's the only way to know what was being heard at the time. I lived it. Remember it well when it came out both times same version

Loved this song, great and good vibes.

I had almost forgotten about this song and how beautiful it is. Thanks Neal and Harri

hidden gem, great song underrated voice.

I love watching you. Thank you for making me smile😊

Omg you just found the best song ever!

I never assumed he was black either, never thought of it as soulful whatsoever! But I love the song so much!

I FELL IN LOVE AT 16...AND SONG DOESNT SAY HE'S ANY OLDER THAN 18!!!

Great song, great pick by the great pncombies. Nice reaction Harri. 👍

One of my favorite songs!

This became a hit twice same decade. I think it was 1980 then 1989

Hi, Harri ! I think the reason the radio stations refused to play this first is because they assumed it's about the (adult) Benny having a relationship with a 16 year old. What it's actually about is (according to interviews with the singer) him helping a 16 year old neighbour whose dad walked out on the family by giving her (the 16 year old) a job and wishing he could do more for her and her family. It didn't help that the music video for the song portrayed him as a creepy stalker. Anyway, great song. And yes, the original version is a lot better.

This song is everything. Just rips through the heart in a good way. We will never forget him.

There is Benny's interview on YT who explains the story behind the lyrics.

"BLUE-EYED SOUL" LIKE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS!

Was my wedding song. She was 16 when we met, we were married 10 years later.❤️❤️❤️

Amazing song

This song was the only song to hit twice in two seoerate decades! Many years apart, too! Thst is how amazing this song and Benny Mardones' voice truly was!

Yes. this is a polished version...nice but the original version slaps especially the ending lead and backing vocals....raw & extraordinary.

This is a re-recording; there are a few subtle differences between this one and the original. Still sounds good, but I personally think the original is a bit better.

This song is so powerful and heart felt. When you know the true meaning behind the words 💓 One of the best songs of all times.

The professor of Rock had an interview with Benny just before he died that explained the whole story. The video the studio put out was kind of creepy where it looked like Benny in his upper 30s was looking out for a 16 year old. Benny said in an interview when he wrote the song he was looking out for a young woman and her brother who he paid to do some grocery shopping for him and walking the dog. The girls father walked out on the family and he wrote the song about wishing he could lift her up and show her the love of a parent. When the girl dropped off his grocery a friend of his was there and checked her out and he said shes just 16 years old leave her alone..and thats where the lyric came from. Another songs by Benny to check out is Shelia C, Might of been love, Shes so French, and American Bandstand.

Actually the live performance is as great as this. For me this is one of the greatest songs ever and one of the greatest singers ever. Im baffled that this was was only big hit. No doubt hd could sing Unchained Melody very very good.

Great song, so many people want to make something out of nothing.

Great story about this song.

I've loved this song since it first came out. Even had the 45. Think I may still have it somewhere. It makes me smile whenever I hear it on the radio or in a movie/TV soundtrack.

Also from Wiki: "In the Professor of Rock interview, Mardones also sheds some light on his powerful vocal performance. The singer cut the lead vocal in three takes, impressing album producer and longtime Styx engineer Barry Mraz. The notorious howling instrumental bridge by Mardones was originally a guide vocal for a saxophonist, but upon completion, Mraz told the singer "We won't be using a saxophone on this record." This particular bit of vocal prowess is more impressive on the original recording, IMO.

Benny told the story that there was a 16 yr old girl in his apartment in NY, who's family was going through a rough time, so he hired her to come in the mornings before school and take care of his dog. Walk it feed it, things like that and he paid her like 50$ a week. One night he and his writing partner were up all night doing song stuff and she had a key and came to do her job. His partner saw her for the first time and was shocked. Benny described her as 16 going on 21, in a mini-skirt and high heels. After she left for school, his partner said, "Wow!". Benny said he looked at him and said, "Nah man, she's only 16 years old, leave her alone." The rest is history.

Soul is soul

I remember just how much I love this song, thank !

The original version is better, but this is still very good.

Benny had that one in a 10 million voice... He really struck a home run with this song.. Once you learn the history of this song, you will know that it's NOT about him "being" with a 16year old girl... he was HELPING a family that the dad had walked away from.. he was giving the kids various odd jobs to give them money so they could survive.. One of the kids was a 16 year old girl and his desire to protect her innocence.... Read that again... PROTECT HER INNOCENCE... was the motivation for this song.... Look past the lyrics for what you think they are... as most people get it wrong...

The people of Syracuse, New York have worshipped him from when this song came out till present day, even after his death. Let's see if anyone from there responds. Lol.

LOVE THIS SONG

PNC - Yoooo, flooding memories arising. Great submission! Neal, you provided Harri with some very important 'race' assumptions with regard to Benny Mardones. Excellent review, Harri.

poor guy died two years ago now. the song in reality had a sad story about a girl and her family where the father left them destitute. the lyrics are not what many ppl think.

I thought he was black. His voice was very soulful. Didn’t matter to me what his race was, I enjoyed different types of music from different cultures. His voice was so sexual and meaningful. I am white and have never heard a white man sang like this.

There is a video out there of Benny performing at a tribute concert to Roy Orbison where he does Roy's hit "Running Scared". Great rendition that earned him a standing ovation. I don't know why the radio stations objected to the lyrics in the '80s. Go back into the '50s and '60s and there are many songs where the girl is 16 or 17.

There is a interview with Benny that explains what it's about. It's about a broken family and him seeing the father walk out and wanting to help the young girl!

It is one of my absolute favorite songs, so powerful but I have never heard that version that is absolutely not the single version that was played at radio it’s close, but it’s not the same one

Smart man

That version is a little different. If you ever get a chance to listen to the original version he was younger and it's more intense. Also he tells the story about the 16 year old right hear on KZfaq. Her name was Angie. The video is titled Benny final goodbye to Angie or along those lines. 💖🌹

Great song!

Another great song is by Robert Tepper who co wrote this song. Its called NO EASY WAY OUT. For a Rocky movie.

I was 14 and I loved this girl who was older and her friends did not understand what we had incommon, or that I couldn't drive and my friends were not on a level of hers

Very STEVE PERRY(ISH)👏👏👏

❤❤❤❤❤❤

I was 16, he was 26. We had 41 years before I lost him 5 years ago.

Thanks for being very respectful to the late great Benny Mardones. You're right! Nothing in the song suggests inappropriate actions. Another person who does a reaction to songs went off the rails and was very disrespectful towards the singer. What a total jerk! The line, 'she 16 years old, leave her alone they say' Then you listen further another line 'I'd wait till the end of time for you and do it again it's true!' another words he would wait for her as long as he had to because he was that much in love with her. People hear that first line and shut their hearing off. It's sad. Thank you again!

Hermosisima cancion ❤❤❤ Llega al alma y como la canta ,con el corazón y mucho sentimiento❤❤❤❤❤❤

From Syracuse, saw at least 80-100 amazing live shows during his career. I'm sure I was probably his most prolific follower and loved every moment

I felt the same way. I did not think or care.

People should realize that Mr. Benny's father was from Chile and probably had some African Heritage. Lot of people are just being recognized about this. Not saying all Africans have great voices but when you here that raspy sound that's where it comes from. Sada has it, Terrence T ent Darby Sam Cook so many others as well. So talented.

I bought his album, and it was good!!!!

This was my first wife's favorite song. So I heard it a lot when I was married. But I cam to really appreciate the song, the vocals, and the music. It really is a good song. You've probably read all the explanations about this song. If you haven't seen this, you can hear it from the horse's mouth. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rLKXhrGLq6qdo4U.html

He is from Chile!!!

Thanks Harri B, I Love this song and Benny's voice, but not so much this version though. You should react to the American studio version, it has more passion and emotion in it, shows his real singing abilities too. I think you would appreciate more. 🙂👍

He was not the one who liked the 16 yr.old. It was a fellow with him. He told him, leave her alone, she's just 16 yr.old.

❤

It sounds weird but, while people TRIP over the, "She's just 16 years old" and have a cow, places like California have laws that allow sex with minors as long as they are not under 14 and the sex is not "between an adult and a minor 10 or more years younger". So, in the case of this song, if she was 16, the man could be 25 and 364 days older than her and no one would bat an eye at it, except maybe the girl's dad or other relative. Now, as others have stated, this song was written about a girl that walked Benny's dog. Her dad walked out on them and he wanted to help out, so he gave each of the kids odd jobs to do to help bring money into their house without making it look like charity. As I stated, for her, she was paid to walk his dog. Nothing happened between them and I understand that she saw him later in life and thank him for helping to save their lives when times were so tough. The line everyone freaks out about was not actually written by him, but by a collaborator of his that was over helping him write. When she walked in to pick up the dog early 1 morning after an all-night session, the collaborator saw her and commented that she was kind of hot, and he said to the guy, "She's just 16 years old, leave her alone". They both thought it sounded great so they worked it into the song. The whole story is repeated in the following Wikipedia article, if you care to read it. It's pretty interesting: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Night_(Benny_Mardones_song)#:~:text=%22Into%20the%20Night%22%20is%20a%20song%20that%20deals,process%20for%20the%20Never%20Run%2C%20Never%20Hide%20album.

Towards the end he sounds a lot like Terrence Trent D'Arby.

Harri B, I think once you hear the version from the Never Run, Never Hide LP/CD you'll really like that one. Two more great rockin' Benny songs are "Too Young" and "She's So French."

If you want the true story about this 16 year old watch Professor of Rock on KZfaq when he interviewed Benny.This girl was indeed real but the real story is not what most people believe it to be.

KZfaq 1 Hit wonder charted same song twice in the 80s & everyone has. By professor of Rock. 20:22 Good story for sure

Wiki has a decent article on the backstory of the song. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Night_(Benny_Mardones_song)

Played alot on juke boxes in 1980. Sadly Benny passed away in June of 2020.

This is the 1989 version. Listen to the 1980 version. ❤

Unfortunately, sadly, Benny passed away on Jun 29, 2020 at the age of 73.

Usher sampled this !!!!

RIP Benny ...I think the creepy video he made for this great song turned a lot of people off..

Harri...you would had to have known this.

Watch the interview with what the song about

Is this a new mix? Sounds different than the one I grew up with.

If you are interested in the story behind the song, here's an interview that explains it kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rLKXhrGLq6qdo4U.htmlsi=-_adRKCddJI9Usvj

One last thing: I believe that Mardones was kind of a one-hit wonder. The only other performance I know of that which lives up to this one is when he performed Running Scared at A Tribute to Roy Orbison -- A Concert to Benefit the Homeless, in 1990. Running Scared was one of Orbison's hits, and Benny nailed it! Here it is: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sKdjp6me07q5fIU.html .

is this a different version?

Isn’t this the re-recorded version?

You need to see this song with the video! Omg!!

Superb song and vocals. Recommend Benny's tribute performing Running Scared for Roy Orbison. Here is a link: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sKdjp6me07q5fIU.html

The explanation of the 16 year old is here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rLKXhrGLq6qdo4U.html

The video has a young girl

I love this song so much, but it's definitely about Benny wanting a teenager. The music video is Benny and a young girl flying around on a magic carpet or something. HAHA! Supposedly he wrote it about a neighbor girl.

Thinking he was black was a compliment to black singers. This guy just drips soul

One of my top ten favorites of all time. But the original is better, his voice went downhill over the years.

This isn’t the original version.

This is not the original mix.