afternoon delight

This One-Hit Wonder worked up an appetite for skyrockets in flight with this song named after a spicy appetizer. The Starland Vocal Band was songwriter Bill Danoff, his (now ex-)wife Kathy "Taffy" Nivert Danoff, Jon Carroll and his (now ex-)wife Margot Chapman. They were the first act signed by John Denver to his new Windsong label, and under the name Fat City, the group sang backup on 'Take Me Home Country Roads.' Danoff and Nivert co-wrote that song with Denver. During the recording of the group's debut album, Taffy delivered a baby.

Danoff enjoyed the double entendre of the song: "I didn't want to write an all-out sex song; I just wanted to write something that was fun and hinted at sex. It was one of those songs that you could really have a good time writing."

Taffy explains, "Bill wrote this after having lunch at Clyde's in Washington, D.C. It seems Clyde's has a menu called 'Afternoon Delight' with stuff like spiced shrimp and hot Brie with almonds. So Bill ate it -- the food, that is -- and went home and explained to me what 'Afternoon Delight' should be." There is a gold record from this song hanging in the restaurant.

'Afternoon Delight' was a number one hit in Canada and the US, and made it to number five in New Zealand. It was nominated for five Grammys. Danoff recalls, "We got two of the five Grammys - one was Best New Artist. So that was basically the kiss of death and I feel sorry for everyone who's gotten it since."

Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight

Gonna grab some afternoon delight

My mother's always been, when it's right it's right

Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night

When everything's a little clearer in the light of day

Then we know the night is always gonna be here anyway

Thinking of you's working up an appetite

Looking forward to a little afternoon delight

Rubbin' sticks and stones together make the sparks ignite

And the thought of rubbin' you is gettin' so excited

Sky rocket's in flight, afternoon delight

Afternoon delight, afternoon delight

Started out this morning feeling so polite

always though a fish could not be caught who didn't bite

But you've got some bait a waitin'

And I think I might try nibbling a little afternoon delight

Sky rocket's in flight, afternoon delight

Afternoon delight, afternoon delight

Be waiting for me, baby, when I come around

We can make a lot of lovin' 'fore the sun goes down

Thinkin' of you's workin' up my appetite

Looking forward to a little afternoon delight

Rubbin' sticks and stones together makes the sparks ignite

And the thought of lovin' you is getting so exciting

Sky rocket's in flight, afternoon delight

Afternoon delight, afternoon delight

Afternoon delight, afternoon delight














 'Afternoon Delight' 
full album:



00:00 - Afternoon Delight
03:07 - Boulder To Birmingham
07:21 - Baby, You Look Good To Me Tonight
10:30 - American Tune
13:54 - Starland
16:59 - California Day
20:26 - War Surplus Baby
24:46 - Starting All Over Again
28:00 - Hail! Hail! Rock And Roll!

30:44 - Ain't It The Fall