It seems as though Young is still having
trouble facing the reality of his friend’s
death. Throughout the song, Young cries
“Tonight’s the night, tonight’s the night,”
as if he is determined that tonight is the
night that he will finally come to peace
with Berry’s death.

Tonight's the night, tonight's the night Tonight's the night, tonight's the night Tonight's the night, tonight's the night Tonight's the night, tonight's the night.	As the title song of Neil Young’s darkest and most emotionally driven works of art, Tonight’s the Night was dedicated to Young’s dear friend, Bruce Berry.
Bruce Berry was a working man He used to load that Econoline van. A sparkle was in his eye But his life was in his hands.	The lyrics are filled with Neil’s memories of Bruce. He used to work late nights and play around with Young’s guitar after gigs.
Well, late at night when the people were gone He used to pick up my guitar And sing a song in a shaky voice That was real as the day was long.
Tonight's the night, yes it is, Tonight's the night Tonight's the night, yes it is, Tonight's the night.	It seems as though Young is still having trouble facing the reality of his friend’s death. Throughout the song, Young cries “Tonight’s the night, tonight’s the night,” as if he is determined that tonight is the night that he will finally come to peace with Berry’s death.
Early in the mornin' at the break of day He used to sleep until the afternoon. If you never heard him sing I guess you won't too soon.
'Cause people let me tell you It sent a chill up and down my spine When I picked up the telephone And heard that he'd died out on the mainline.	As Young screams words like, ‘died’ and ‘mainline,’ Neil Young’s grief and anger are audible and tangible. His emotions are clearly heard.
Tonight's the night, Tonight's the night Tonight's the night, Tonight's the night.
Bruce Berry was a working man He used to load that Econoline van. Well, early in the morning at just about the break of day He used to sleep until the afternoon.
Tonight's the night, yes it is, tonight's the night Tonight's the night, tonight's the night Tonight's the night, tonight's the night Tonight's the night, tonight's the night.	This song is ultimately the centerpiece of the album by the same name, as it embodies all of Young’s motivations behind the album in one song: to vent his feelings about the recent hardships he’s had to experience and to drive himself to cope with these feelings.