Some of the lyrics of "Bring on the Night" were recycled from the song "Carrion Prince (O Ye of Little Hope)", which was written by Sting for the band Last Exit.

"[2] Another line from "Bring on the Night", "when the evening spreads itself against the sky," is taken from T. S. Eliot's poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," written in 1910-15.

It was backed with "Visions of the Night" (the British B-side to "Walking on the Moon") in the United States, with "Reggatta de Blanc" in Germany, and with "Roxanne" in France.

"[5] Record World said that "Captivating soprano vocals join a pulsating guitar and thumping drum as the Police issue more of their premium reggae rock.

"[8] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Mike Duquette rated it to be the Police's 11th greatest song, saying that Andy Summers' "arpeggiated guitar riff...is one of the band’s catchiest.