Walkin’ After Midnight is a country song written by Alan Block and Don Hecht. It was first recorded by country singer Kay Starr in 1956, but her version was not released. The song was then recorded by Patsy Cline in 1957 and released as the B-side of her single “I Fall to Pieces”. “Walkin’ After Midnight” quickly became a hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1957. It also reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song is a slow-tempo ballad about a woman who is walking the streets after midnight, looking for her lover. The lyrics are simple but effective, and they perfectly capture the feeling of loneliness and longing. Cline’s vocals are haunting and beautiful, and they bring the song to life.
Walkin’ After Midnight is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and moving song about love, loss, and loneliness. Cline’s version is the definitive version of the song, and it is considered to be one of the greatest country songs of all time.
Background and writing
Alan Block and Don Hecht wrote Walkin’ After Midnight in the early 1950s. They were inspired to write the song after seeing a woman walking the streets late at night. Block has said that the song is about “a woman who is looking for love in all the wrong places.”
Recording and production
Patsy Cline recorded Walkin’ After Midnight in 1957 at the Bradley Film & Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. The song was produced by Owen Bradley. Bradley is a Grammy Award-winning producer who has worked with some of the biggest names in country music, including Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Willie Nelson.
Release and commercial performance
Walkin’ After Midnight was released in 1957 as the B-side of Patsy Cline’s single “I Fall to Pieces”. The song quickly became a hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1957. It also reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Walkin’ After Midnight was a critical and commercial success. The song was praised by critics for its beautiful lyrics and Cline’s haunting vocals. The song was also a commercial success, selling over two million copies.
Impact and legacy
Walkin’ After Midnight is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and moving song about love, loss, and loneliness. Cline’s version is the definitive version of the song, and it is considered to be one of the greatest country songs of all time.
Patsy Cline was one of the most influential country singers of all time. She had a string of hits in the 1950s and 1960s, including “Crazy”, “I Fall to Pieces”, and “Sweet Dreams”. Cline was killed in a plane crash in 1963 at the age of 30. Her music continues to be enjoyed by fans all over the world.
Here are some additional facts about the song:
- The song was originally written for pop singer Kay Starr, but her version was never released.
- Cline’s version of the song was recorded in one take.
- The song has been covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and Willie Nelson.
- Walkin’ After Midnight was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1994.
- The song was used in the 1983 film The Right Stuff.
I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Walkin’ After Midnight. If you are a fan of country music or if you are simply looking for a beautiful and moving song to listen to, then I highly recommend Walkin’ After Midnight.