During a listening party for Holy Fire on Twitter, Yannis Philippakis explained the origins of the song thusly:
The singer’s parents divorced when he was young, his father returning to his native Greece while he lived mainly with his mother in Oxford.
[Verse 1]
Oh, I hoped that you were somebody
Someone I could count
To pull me to my feet again
When I was in doubt
Oh now, Mama, do you hear me
Calling out your name?
Oh now, Mama do you hear me
Calling out your name?
Calling out your name
[Verse 2]
Now I'm the last cowboy in this town
Empty veins and my plastic broken crown
They said I swam the seas then ran aground
They said I once was lost but now I'm truly found
And I know the place but not the way
I feel, I feel no shame
Oh now, Mama, do you hear my fear?
It's coming after me
Calling out your name
Calling out your name
[Chorus]
Stay with me
Stay with me
[Verse 3]
But you threw your heart away
Oh, I know just what to say
That the Concorde, it can wait
We have still got time to say
And I know you ran away
Oh, I know my feeling okay?
But now I've found love, the feeling won't go
Now I found love, the feeling won't go
See you walk away
Feeling okay now
Happy now?
[Chorus]
Stay with me
Stay with me
Stay with me
Stay with me
[Instrumental Outro]
Late Night was written by Jimmy Smith (UK) & Yannis Philippakis & Walter Gervers & Jack Bevan.
Late Night was produced by Flood & Alan Moulder.
Foals released Late Night on Thu Dec 13 2012.