"Night Life" is a song written by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. Nelson was inspired to write the song during one of his trips from his home in Pasadena, Texas, to his work, singing at the Esquire Ballroom in Houston.

Due to financial issues, Nelson sold the song to guitar instructor Paul Buskirk for US$150. The recording of the song was rejected by Pappy Daily, owner of Nelson's label, D Records. Daily believed that the song was not country. Due to the amount of money that Nelson received for the song, he decided to master it on another studio. To avoid legal actions, it was recorded as "Nite Life" under the artist name of "Paul Buskirk and the Little Men featuring Hugh Nelson".

The song was later recorded by Ray Price as the title track of his 1963 album. The song became a hit for Price, who included it as the introduction of his act. That same year Doris Day recorded the song for her Love Him album. The song was later covered by Frank Sinatra and B.B. King.

After his son Billy was born in 1958, struggling with financial issues, Nelson moved to Houston. On the way, Nelson stopped by the Esquire Ballroom to sell songs to house band singer Larry Butler. Butler refused to purchase Nelson's songs, giving him instead a US$50 loan to rent an apartment and a six-night job singing in the club. Nelson rented the apartment near Houston in Pasadena, Texas, where he also worked at the radio station as a DJ. During the same time, Nelson recorded for Pappy Daily of D Records. While working on the club, Nelson used the time of the thirty-mile travel from his home to the club to write songs. One night he was inspired to start the song after thinking the line "When the evening sun goes down, you will find me hanging 'round." Nelson's inspiration was completed on his way back, with the line "The night life ain't no good life, but it's my life".

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