User:Coin945/History is Made at Night

History is Made at Night is a song from the musical TV series Smash. It is performed various times throughout the season, most notably between Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) and Michael Swift (Will Chase). Within the context of the show, the song is written by songwriting team Julia Houston (Debra Messing) and Tom Levitt (Christian Borle) for the musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, entitled Bombshell. The song is a duet sung by Marylin Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, The only time the song is paralleled with the show's storyline, it is paired with Julia and Michael's rekindled love affair. The song was released as a single, and is also the 13th and final track on the Smash album The Music of Smash, which was released May 1, 2012. The version on the album is by Megan Hilty and Will Chase, as seen in episode 6.

Production
In episode 4, The Cost of Art, Karen is forced to sit out of "History Is Made at Night" and another workshopped number after Ivy claims she can't hear herself sing. Michael Slezak of TV Line infers that this is due to Ivy's influence over the musical from sleeping with the director, and notes the "downright vicious" smile she gives Karen after she is asked to sit out the numbers. Only snippets of the song are played in this episode.

In episode 6, Chemistry, Julia is shown to have writer's block on "History is Made at Night", due to her personal life (specifically her affair) impeding on her work. This is the first and only time the song is played in full.

The song was performed as part of the Marilyn medley in the 7th episode, The Workshop.

In the 13th episode, Tech, "History Is Made at Night" begins to be sung, but is cut short due to a lighting issue. Later in the episode, when choreographer Linda calls places for the number, the lights go out, Rebecca Duvall steps out in Marilyn drag and performs "Happy Birthday to You Mr. President".

Critical reception
Peter D. Kramer describes the song as "swingy" and "torchy". In a review of the album The Music of Smash, Andy Propst of TheaterMania says that "[Chase and Hilty] infuse the song's smoky bluesy melody with palpable sexiness". On March 16, 2012, a few days after the 6th episode chemistry aired, Broadwayworld.com explained that by listening to the "late-50s-styled gem" they "were treated to one of the most memorable and sonically alluring original BOMBSHELL songs to date".