One Lonely Night

The song One Lonely Night by REO Speedwagon stands out for its emotive narrative and its characteristic soft rock sound of the 1980s. Composed by keyboardist Neal Doughty, it was released as the third single from the album Wheels Are Turnin' in March 1985. With a duration of 3:20, the song reached position 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the second most successful single from the album in the United States, though it did not match the popularity of Can't Fight This Feeling.

The lyrics of One Lonely Night evoke a sense of melancholy and longing, and its resonant chorus has been described as an appealing element that complements the song’s romantic theme. The production, handled by Kevin Cronin, Gary Richrath, and Alan Gratzer, achieves a balance between rich instrumentation and Cronin’s vocals, allowing his emotional delivery to shine. The song was well-received by some critics, who consider it one of the band’s best ballads, though there were also more critical opinions that labeled it as "bland" or "sludgy".

The music video accompanying One Lonely Night is presented as a sequel to the clip for their first single, I Do' Wanna Know, and employs a humorous approach that plays with the song’s title, narrating the story of a "lonely knight." This video, with a medieval style, shows the knight in conflict with his partner and his subsequent encounter with Cronin, who appears as a magical character. The visual production includes stop-motion techniques, adding a distinctive touch to the song’s presentation. Overall, One Lonely Night encapsulates a particular moment in REO Speedwagon’s career, showcasing their ability to blend sentimental lyrics with catchy melodies.