Though the single was a top-five hit for Rafferty in his native United Kingdom, "Night Owl" was never released in this format in North America, at a time when interest in Rafferty was at its peak after the success of his single "Baker Street" and album City to City a year earlier.
The single reached number five on the charts for Rafferty in his homeland, but "Night Owl" was never released in this format in North America, when Rafferty's fame was at its highest following the success of his hit "Baker Street" and album City to City a year earlier.