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Fishing in the Dark

"Fishing in the Dark" is a 1987 country rock song recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"Fishing in the Dark" is a 1987 country rock song recorded by the American group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Written by Wendy Waldman and Jim Photoglo, it was released on June 7, 1987, as the second single from the album Hold On. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in the United States and also topped Canada's RPM country chart, becoming one of the band's best-known tracks.

Background

"Fishing in the Dark" was written by Wendy Waldman and Jim Photoglo and recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It was issued on June 7, 1987, as the second single from the album Hold On.

Commercial performance

The song became a major hit in country music, reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart and also topping Canada's RPM country chart.

Song meaning and style

The song is a country rock track with a fast tempo in the key of D major. Its lyrics describe a couple planning a nighttime romantic outing while fishing.

Legacy

"Fishing in the Dark" is widely identified as one of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's best-known songs. It later received platinum certification from the RIAA for one million certified music downloads.

Key facts

  • The song was recorded by the American country music group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
  • It was released as the second single from the album Hold On.
  • The song was written by Wendy Waldman and Jim Photoglo.
  • It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1987 and No. 1 on Canada's RPM country chart.
  • The song was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2014.
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Canadian context

The song reached No. 1 on Canada's RPM country chart, making it a cross-border country hit for Canadian listeners.[2]

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote "Fishing in the Dark"?
Wendy Waldman and Jim Photoglo wrote the song.
Who recorded the song?
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded "Fishing in the Dark".
When was it released?
It was released on June 7, 1987.
What album is it from?
It was released from the album Hold On.
Did it chart in Canada?
Yes. It reached No. 1 on Canada's RPM country chart.
What is the song about?
The lyrics describe a couple planning a romantic nighttime outing while fishing.

References

  1. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBRfkxUAyOk
    Supports: Official audio page noting the song title and its Billboard Hot Country Songs No. 1 status in 1987.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishin'_in_the_Dark
    Supports: Release date, songwriters, album, genre, chart performance in the United States and Canada, song meaning, and RIAA certification.
  3. The Tennessean — https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/02/25/story-behind-song-fishin-dark/24031923/
    Supports: Background on the songwriting process and the song's later interpretations and popularity.