Only by the Night cover

Only by the Night

Kings of Leon · 2008

42 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

A dynamic blend of anthemic choruses and introspective lyrics wrapped in Southern rock textures.

Why this album works

'Only by the Night' marked a significant commercial peak for Kings of Leon, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and earning multiple Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year for 'Use Somebody'. Its influence is evident in the rise of anthemic rock songs in the late 2000s, resonating widely across radio stations and festivals.
Best for
steady, consistent energy levels dynamic emotional journeys late-night contemplative moods
Context
When 'Only by the Night' was released in September 2008, Kings of Leon were transitioning from a critically acclaimed band to mainstream rock stars. This album followed their breakthrough record, 'Because of the Times', and firmly established their commercial success, particularly with chart-topping hits like 'Sex on Fire'.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Closer Standout 3:57
  • 2 Crawl 4:06
  • 3 Sex on Fire Standout 3:23
  • 4 Use Somebody Standout 3:50
  • 5 Manhattan 3:24
  • 6 Revelry 3:21
  • 7 17 3:05
  • 8 Notion 3:00
  • 9 I Want You 5:07
  • 10 Be Somebody 3:47
  • 11 Cold Desert 5:34

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata