"All Night" is a song written by Lynsey de Paul and Ron Roker.[1] De Paul released her version of the song on 27 April 1973 as her third single released on MAM Records, with arrangements by Martyn Ford and John Bell and produced by de Paul.[2] The song is listed in the U.S. Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries[3] and in "The Directory of American 45 R.p.m. Records".[4] It features an uncredited male vocal (repeating the title "All Night" after de Paul sings it). A slinky, sexy song, it compares a love relationship to that of the spider and a fly.[5] The single is backed by the more socially aware song "Blind Leading the Blind", composed and produced by de Paul.[6] The song was an unusual release since neither the A-side or the B-side featured as tracks on her debut album. Surprise had been released a little more than a month earlier - presumably it was not included since "All Night" has a very different style than the tracks on Surprise.[7]
As well as being released in the UK, it was issued in France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey, New Zealand, Japan and the US.[8][9] Cashbox reviewed the single and wrote "Lynsey's initial Stateside release, "Sugar Me" received wide industry acclaim, and this one is certain to follow in same path. Excellent single for major top 40 programmers is melodic and rhythmic. This will be the one to watch".[10] It was listed as a "Spins & Sales" pick in Record World[11] and also as a "discopick" in DJ and Radio Monthly magazine.[12][13] In his column "Pop Picking" journalist James Craven wrote "Lynsey de Paul should be chart bound soon with her "All Night". I must admit it took one or two plays before coming to this conclusion. It builds up from a quiet start but I must confess Lynsey knows how to handle a lyric."[14] Record Mirror reviewed the single "Noted composer, singer, pianist, producer, arranger, talent scout Lynsey does have style you know. She's got a feel for the right approach in pop, and there is an element of sauciness about her songs which come over well. This one is a persuasive, intriguing sort of performance which registers instantly. Nice one - chart cert".[15] A week later the music paper listed the single as one of Hamilton's Disco Picks and wrote "She "Gets Down" quite sexily, MoR/Pop."[16][17] Writing in the music newspaper Sounds, English DJ John Peel wrote "a dapper little strutter" about the song.[18]