The Night We Met
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = The Night We Met
| cover = The Night We Met.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Lord Huron
| album = Strange Trails
| released = {{Start date|2017|4|24}}
| recorded =
| studio = Whispering Pines (Los Angeles)
| genre = Folk rock{{cite web|last=O'Keeffe|first=Jack|date=March 31, 2017|title=The Song Hannah & Clay Dance To In '13 Reasons Why' Episode 5 Has Tragically Fitting Lyrics|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/the-song-hannah-clay-dance-to-in-13-reasons-why-episode-5-has-tragically-fitting-lyrics-47268|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Bustle}}
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=28}}
| label = Iamsound
| writer = Ben Schneider
| producer = Ben Schneider
| prev_title = Fool for Love
| prev_year = 2015
| next_title = Ancient Names (Part I)
| next_year = 2018
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|wGF7PswOENQ|"The Night We Met"}}|type=single|header=Lyric video}}
}}
"The Night We Met" is a song recorded by American band Lord Huron for their second studio album, Strange Trails (2015). Following its inclusion in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, "The Night We Met" entered the record charts in several countries, including in Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for combined sales and streaming figures exceeding three million units. The song, as of February 26, 2025, has amassed over 2.8 billion streams on Spotify.{{cite web | url=https://open.spotify.com/track/0QZ5yyl6B6utIWkxeBDxQN?si=bd57266e436f4040 | title='The Night We Met' - Lord Huron | website=Spotify }}
Background
"The Night We Met" was written and produced by frontman Ben Schneider, and mixed by Rick Parker. It was recorded at Whispering Pines in Los Angeles, California.{{cite AV media notes |title=Strange Trails |others=Lord Huron |publisher=Play It Again Sam |year=2015 |type=liner notes |id=PIASR795CDX}}
Lyrics
{{quote box
| quote="You never fully move on from someone you've shared something so powerful with, for better or for worse, they haunt you for the rest of your life. That's an impossible ghost to get rid of, there's no spell, no incantation for that."
| width = 20em
| align = right
| style = padding:8px;
}}
In writing "The Night We Met", Schneider was inspired by "bittersweet teen romance" and pop songs from the 1950s, the latter of which he appreciated for the ways the melodies and lyrics often contrasted each other. He wanted the song to be about love, but with a focus on the feeling of regret at the end of a relationship. He described this relationship as one "where you've gone through so many wonderful things together but you feel like it wasn't worth it. You wish you could go back to the origin of the relationship, and instead of commencing it, go another way." Schneider was also inspired by horror fiction and how it evokes fear, an emotion which he connected to "the feelings of loss that go along with love". The song uses ghosts as metaphor for the way the memory of a person "can hang around and haunt you".{{Cite web |last=Harbron |first=Lucy |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Close Reading: 'The Night We Met' + Ghost Stories With Lord Huron {{!}} Gigwise |url=https://www.gigwise.com/features/3396988/close-reading-meaning-explanation-the-night-we-met/ |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=Gigwise}}
Schneider has described the duet version with Phoebe Bridgers as revealing both sides of the relationship. Comparing it to Wuthering Heights, he further described it as representing a relationship "where there's regret and remorse on both sides and both people are left with this feeling of being haunted".
Release
File:Lord Huron (19849805523).jpg
The song was first released as a free download at strangetrails.com on January 27, 2015.{{Cite web |author=Lord Huron |date=January 27, 2015 |title=Download "The Night We Met" free at strangetrails.com |url=https://www.facebook.com/lordhuron/photos/download-the-night-we-met-free-at-strangetrailscomstrangetrails/789405334429344/ |access-date=November 11, 2024 |website=Facebook}}{{Cite web |last=Bronson |first=Kevin |date=January 28, 2015 |title=Download: Lord Huron, 'The Night We Met' |url=https://buzzbands.la/2015/01/28/download-lord-huron-the-night-we-met/ |access-date=November 11, 2024 |website=buzzbands.la |language=en}} On February 9, 2015, the album Strange Trails was announced alongside the official release of two singles: "Fool for Love" and "The Night We Met".{{Cite web |last=Erickson |first=Anne |date=February 9, 2015 |title=Lord Huron to Release New Album, 'Strange Trails' |url=https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/localmusicbeat/2015/02/09/lord-huron-new-album-strange-trails/23113339/ |access-date=November 11, 2024 |website=Lansing State Journal}}
The song quickly achieved popularity after being featured in 13 Reasons Why, and it was subsequently certified platinum in the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1991338/a-look-inside-the-insular-world-of-lord-huron/franchises/interview/|title=A Look Inside The Insular World Of Lord Huron|date=April 16, 2018|website=Stereogum|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202113900/https://www.stereogum.com/1991338/a-look-inside-the-insular-world-of-lord-huron/franchises/interview/|archive-date=February 2, 2020|url-status=live}} The song has been streamed over two billion times.{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ltzsmQQbmdoHHbLZ4ZN25|website=Spotify |title=Lord Huron }} "The Night We Met" immediately turned into the band's most well known song.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebvnewspaper.com/2018/03/08/lord-huron-influences-new-indie-folk-music/|title=Lord Huron influences new indie-folk music|date=March 8, 2018|website=The Bona Venture|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202115723/https://www.thebvnewspaper.com/2018/03/08/lord-huron-influences-new-indie-folk-music/|archive-date=February 2, 2020|url-status=live}} It appears in an episode 5 scene of 13 Reasons Why, where the main characters, Clay Jensen and Hannah Baker, dance together.{{Cite web|url=https://www.romper.com/p/the-13-reasons-why-soundtrack-is-just-as-addictive-as-the-netflix-series-47510|title=The '13 Reasons Why' Soundtrack Is Addictive|website=Romper|date=March 31, 2017 |access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202114816/https://www.romper.com/p/the-13-reasons-why-soundtrack-is-just-as-addictive-as-the-netflix-series-47510|archive-date=February 2, 2020|url-status=live}} After being featured in the show, the song garnered the band a record deal with Republic Records.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/lord-huron/|title=How a Sci-Fi Version of L.A. Noir Inspired Lord Huron's New Album Los Angeles Magazine|last=Martins|first=Chris|date=April 19, 2018|website=Los Angeles Magazine|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202115119/https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/lord-huron/|archive-date=February 2, 2020|url-status=live}}
On May 18, 2018, as part of the soundtrack for the second season of 13 Reasons Why, Lord Huron released a new rendition of the song featuring Phoebe Bridgers.{{Cite web |last=Claymore |first=Gabriela Tully |date=May 18, 2018 |title=Lord Huron – "The Night We Met" (Feat. Phoebe Bridgers) |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1996857/lord-huron-the-night-we-met-feat-phoebe-bridgers/music/ |access-date=November 11, 2024 |website=Stereogum |language=en}} Bridgers' vocal for the duet version was recorded by Mike Bridavsky at Russian Recording in Bloomington, Indiana.{{cite AV media notes |title=The Night We Met Ft. Phoebe Bridgers |others=Lord Huron |publisher=IAmSound Records |year=2015 |type=liner notes |id=IAM67TL}} In August 2019, Lord Huron was joined by Phoebe Bridgers for a performance of the song at the Hollywood Bowl.{{Cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/watch-phoebe-bridgers-join-lord-huron-on-the-night-we-met/|title=watch Phoebe Bridgers join Lord Huron on 'The Night We Met' at Hollywood Bowl|website=BrooklynVegan|date=August 5, 2019 |access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202110945/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/watch-phoebe-bridgers-join-lord-huron-on-the-night-we-met/|archive-date=February 2, 2020|url-status=live}}
"The Night We Met" reached number 5 on US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard), and number 7 on US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard) charts.
The song was certified two-times platinum with 2 million units sold, and it was certified gold in France (with 100,000 units sold) and United Kingdom (with 400,000 units sold).
Critical reception
Marissa Matozzo of Paste labelled the song as "one of the band's most renowned tracks".{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/08/watch-phoebe-bridgers-and-lord-huron-play-the-nigh.html|title=Watch Phoebe Bridgers and Lord Huron Play 'The Night We Met' Live in Los Angeles|date=August 6, 2019|website=Paste|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202112151/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/08/watch-phoebe-bridgers-and-lord-huron-play-the-nigh.html|archive-date=February 2, 2020|url-status=live}} Erin Vierra of Mxdwn wrote, "'The Night We Met' is the kind of song one likes to hold on to late at night, the kind of song that fills the listener with a peaceful meditation."{{Cite web|url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2018/05/20/news/lord-huron-releases-new-version-of-the-night-we-met-featuring-phoebe-bridgers-for-netflixs-13-reasons-why-soundtrack/|title=Lord Huron Releases New Version of 'The Night We Met' Featuring Phoebe Bridgers for Netflix's 13 Reasons Why Soundtrack -|date=May 20, 2018|website=mxdwn Music|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202113413/https://music.mxdwn.com/2018/05/20/news/lord-huron-releases-new-version-of-the-night-we-met-featuring-phoebe-bridgers-for-netflixs-13-reasons-why-soundtrack/|archive-date=February 2, 2020|url-status=live}} The Musical Hype wrote, "This is a sensational song aside from the buzz its received in the mainstream. The lyrics are poetic, while the sound and vibe of the record are mysterious."{{Cite web|url=https://themusicalhype.com/track-review-lord-huron-the-night-we-met/|title=Track Review: Lord Huron, 'The Night We Met' (Strange Trails)|date=April 27, 2017|website=The Musical Hype|url-status=live|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202120640/https://themusicalhype.com/track-review-lord-huron-the-night-we-met/|archive-date=February 2, 2020}} Under the Radar described the song as "heartbreaking waltz".{{Cite web|url=http://undertheradarmag.com/reviews/lord_huron_strange_trails|title=Strange Trails|last=Conner|first=Matt|website=Under the Radar|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202121822/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/lord_huron_strange_trails/|archive-date=February 2, 2020|url-status=live}}
Julien A. Luebbers of The Spokesman-Review wrote that the song "puts its finger keenly on deep human longing and romance gone sour. The song's power comes both from its sheer ubiquity and its pared-down and harmonic composition".{{Cite web |last=Luebbers |first=Julien A. |date=May 27, 2021 |title=Lord Huron's 'Long Lost' feels like home, is the band in peak form |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/may/27/lord-hurons-long-lost-feels-like-home-is-the-band-/ |access-date=November 14, 2024 |website=The Spokesman-Review}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2017–2018 weekly chart performance for "The Night We Met" ! scope="col"| Chart (2017–2018) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue1418.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20170507140100/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20170508-0001/Issue1418.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 7, 2017|title=The ARIA Report|publisher=ARIA|date=May 8, 2017|access-date=May 9, 2017}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
| 78 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Flanders|44|artist=Lord Huron|song=The Night We Met|rowheader=true|access-date=May 28, 2018|refname="Belgium 1"}} |
| {{single chart|Wallonia Tip|14|artist=Lord Huron|song=The Night We Met|rowheader=true|access-date=May 28, 2018|refname="Belgium 2"}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|58|artist=Lord Huron|rowheader=true|access-date=May 28, 2018|refname="Canada"}} |
| {{single chart|France|160|artist=Lord Huron feat. Phoebe Bridgers|song=The Night We Met|rowheader=true|access-date=October 3, 2023|refname="France"}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland3|28|artist=Lord Huron|song=The Night We Met|rowheader=true|access-date=May 28, 2018|refname="Ireland"}} |
| scope="row"| Portugal (AFP){{cite web|url=https://portuguesecharts.com/archive.asp?todo=show&woche=19&jahr=2017&sparte=s|title=Portuguese Charts – Singles Top 20 – 19/2017|publisher=Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|access-date=March 8, 2021}}
| 50 |
| {{single chart|Scotland|60|artist=Lord Huron|rowheader=true|date=April 21, 2017|access-date=May 28, 2018|refname="Scotland"}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|83|artist=Lord Huron|song=The Night We Met|rowheader=true|access-date=May 28, 2018|refname="Sweden"}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|74|artist=Lord Huron|song=The Night We Met|rowheader=true|access-date=May 28, 2018|refname="Switzerland"}} |
| {{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|77|artist=Lord Huron|access-date=May 28, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="United Kingdom"}} |
| {{single chart|UKindie|2|date=May 19, 2017|rowheader=true|access-date=December 20, 2021}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|84|artist=Lord Huron|access-date=May 28, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="United States"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|5|artist=Lord Huron|access-date=May 28, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="US Rock"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrockairplay|21|artist=Lord Huron|rowheader=true|access-date=December 20, 2021}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2017 year-end chart performance for "The Night We Met" ! scope="col"| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2017|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=May 21, 2020}}
| 12 |
|---|
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2023 year-end chart performance for "The Night We Met" ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100){{cite web|url=https://www.olis.pl/assets/OLIS_23_single_w_streamie.pdf|title=Top 100 {{!}} OLiS – single w streamie {{!}} 2023|publisher=OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry|language=pl|access-date=February 16, 2024}}
| 100 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "The Night We Met"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2021|access-date=October 1, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Lord Huron|title=The Night We Met|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|access-date=July 2, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Lord Huron|title=The Night We Met|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|id=14527|access-date=October 23, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Lord Huron feat. Phoebe Bridgers|title=The Night We Met|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2019|date=February 8, 2018|access-date=February 8, 2018|refname="SNEP"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Lord Huron feat. Phoebe Bridgers|title=The Night We Met|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2023|access-date=June 2, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Lord Huron|title=The Night We Met|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|id=12662|access-date=June 3, 2024|refname="FIMI"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Lord Huron|title=The Night We Met|award=Platinum|number=6|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=April 6, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Lord Huron feat. Phoebe Bridgers|title=The Night We Met|award=Platinum|number=5|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2025|id=file_2025-01-20-11-18-33.pdf|access-date=January 28, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Lord Huron / Phoebe Bridgers|title=The Night We Met|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|access-date=September 3, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Lord Huron|title=The Night We Met|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|id=14963-4677-1|access-date=December 13, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Lord Huron|title=The Night We Met|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2020|date=October 28, 2020|access-date=June 4, 2019|refname="RIAA"}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|type=single|relyear=2015|award=Platinum|number=3|id=20240904193628|certyear=2024|certweek=35 (32-35)|artist=Lord Huron|title=The Night We Met|access-date=October 23, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true|streamsonly=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Lord Huron}}
{{Phoebe Bridgers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Night We Met, The}}