Corey Hart – “Sunglasses at Night”:
Neon Noir and the Guy in Shades
Released in January 1984 as the first single from his album First Offense, “Sunglasses at Night” wasn’t just a hit for Corey Hart—it was a whole vibe! With its moody synths, cryptic lyrics, and that unforgettable chorus, the song instantly became a classic of the MTV era. It rocketed to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, officially launching the Canadian singer-songwriter into pop stardom.
From Studio Quirks to Signature Line
The track’s famous line, “I wear my sunglasses at night,” actually came from a super quirky moment in the studio. Hart and his producers were working in a London studio where the air vents blasted freezing air right into their faces. So, to protect their eyes, they all started wearing sunglasses indoors. That image stuck with Hart, and later, when he was messing around with a demo called “My Cigarette Got Wet” (a song he never actually released), he spontaneously sang the now-iconic line over the melody. The rest, as they say, is history!
Synths, Suspicion, and Style
Musically, the song perfectly blends new wave synths with a cool rock edge, driven by a descending keyboard riff and Hart’s intense vocal delivery. Lyrically, it’s a surreal tale of paranoia and deception—a guy watching someone weave “story lines” and then dropping a chilling warning: “Don’t switch the blade on the guy in shades, oh no.” It’s part noir mystery, part fashion statement, and all attitude.
The music video, directed by Rob Quartly, completely leaned into that dystopian cool. Shot at Toronto’s historic Don Jail, it imagined a world where wearing sunglasses was mandatory—a kind of fashion police state. Hart, looking imprisoned and defiant, eventually faces off with a female officer played by future MuchMusic VJ Laurie Brown. The video’s stark visuals and Hart’s brooding presence really helped cement the song’s place in pop culture.
Legacy Through a Dark Lens
“Sunglasses at Night” became more than just a hit; it became a symbol. It’s been referenced, parodied, and covered countless times, and it definitely helped define the aesthetic of mid-80s synth-pop. Hart’s leather-jacketed, Ray-Ban-wearing persona became iconic, and the song’s blend of mystery and melody still resonates with fans of retro cool today.