History Is Made at Night is an original song first featured in The Cost of Art, the fourth episode of the first season of Smash. Being an original song, it was written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The version released as a single features Megan Hilty (Ivy Lynn) and Will Chase (Michael Swift) on lead vocals.
In the context of Bombshell, the number occurs during Marilyn's first date with baseball player Joe DiMaggio. The two go to a drive-in movie, and other lovers back them up as they sing this romantic duet. It was written by Tom Levitt and Julia Houston and was first performed in the New York Marilyn workshop with Ivy Lynn as Marilyn Monroe and Michael Swift as Joe DiMaggio.
Lyrics[]
Lovers:
(scatting)
Marilyn:
Put down the playbook
'Cause the things I wanna show you can't be written down
Let my lips do the teaching
DiMaggio:
Turn off the camera
Kick your shoes off for this scene, you should be sitting down
Yeah, sitting close enough for reaching
Marilyn:
Turn down the lamp
For the last page has been turned
DiMaggio:
When the dawn's breaking through
Marilyn:
We can stop and review all the lessons you'll have learned
Marilyn and DiMaggio with Lovers:
'Cause history is made at night
So close the books, turn off the light, and listen
Marilyn and DiMaggio:
Let my heart be the teacher
Marilyn and DiMaggio with Lovers:
No one here to disapprove
As we review the lessons you've been missing
Marilyn and DiMaggio:
Let the moon be our only light
'Cause history is made at night
Lovers:
(scatting)
DiMaggio:
I see the questions burning in your eyes, or is it just reflections
Mm, of the stars high above you
Marilyn:
Oh, I'm just your student, and I hope you won't be shy, please make corrections
Yeah, on the sweetest way to love you
DiMaggio:
Come whisper close, tell me just when to say when
Marilyn:
Then we'll sleep through the day
DiMaggio:
Then whenever you say, that's when school begins again
Marilyn and DiMaggio with Lovers:
'Cause history is made at night
So close the books, turn off the light, and listen
Marilyn and DiMaggio:
Let my heart be the teacher
Marilyn and DiMaggio with Lovers:
No one here to disapprove
As we review the lessons you've been missing
Marilyn and DiMaggio:
Let the moon be our only light
'Cause history is made at night
Lovers:
(scatting)
Marilyn:
Oh, oh, yes, someday, they'll write lots of books
About our fame and glory
DiMaggio:
But if all their reports are just movies and sports
They'll be missing the whole story
Lovers:
Missing the whole story
Marilyn and DiMaggio with Lovers:
'Cause history is made at night
So close the books, turn off the light, and listen
Let my heart be the teacher
No one here to disapprove
As we review the lessons you've been missing
Marilyn and DiMaggio:
Let the moon be our only light
'Cause history is made at night
Yes, our history was made at night
Lovers:
(scatting)
Later Reprisals[]
- Ivy Lynn as Marilyn Monroe & Michael Swift as Joe DiMaggio (The Cost of Art)
- This episode features a brief snippet of the full performance in Chemistry.
- Ivy Lynn as Marilyn Monroe & Michael Swift as Joe DiMaggio (The Workshop)
- Ivy Lynn as Marilyn Monroe & Dennis as Joe DiMaggio (Tech)
Videos[]
Smash - History Is Made At Night HD
Smash - History is made at night