About the song
**Introduction to “Walkin’ After Midnight”**
“Walkin’ After Midnight,” a quintessential country ballad, is a classic written by Alan Block and Don Hecht. This iconic song, which first saw the light of day in 1955, is best known for its recording by Patsy Cline, a pivotal figure in country music. Initially intended for pop singer Kay Starr, the song was rejected by her label and remained largely unused until Hecht rediscovered it while working with Four Star Records. Although Cline was initially reluctant to record the song, she was persuaded to do so as part of a compromise with her label, agreeing to record it alongside another track she preferred, “A Poor Man’s Roses (Or a Rich Man’s Gold).”
The song’s journey from obscurity to prominence began with its release by Lynn Howard with The Accents in August 1956. However, it was Patsy Cline’s version that truly propelled “Walkin’ After Midnight” into the spotlight. Cline performed the song on the CBS television program *Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts* in January 1957. Her performance received such an enthusiastic response that Decca Records rushed the single’s release on February 11, 1957. The song quickly became Cline’s first major hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and No. 12 on the pop chart. Its success established Cline as a leading figure in country music, and the single sold over one million copies.
“Walkin’ After Midnight” stands out for its unique blend of country, jazz, and blues influences. Recorded in the key of C major, the song features a distinctive instrumental arrangement, including acoustic guitar, steel guitar, and a subtle orchestral touch. The session was backed by The Nashville A-Team of musicians, including Harold Bradley and Don Helms, whose contributions gave the song its signature sound.
The song’s impact on both country and pop music is significant. Critics have praised its “bluesy” quality and “bouncy” beat, noting that it foreshadowed Cline’s successful country-pop fusion that would define her later hits. In 2020, the 1957 release of “Walkin’ After Midnight” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, cementing its status as a timeless classic.
Patsy Cline’s rendition of “Walkin’ After Midnight” has left an indelible mark on music history. The track was later re-recorded with a more pop-oriented arrangement, which, although not as commercially successful as the original, continues to be celebrated in various media. The song’s legacy endures, representing a crucial moment in Cline’s career and a significant contribution to the evolution of country music.
Video
Lyrics
I go out walkin’ after midnight
Out in the moonlight
Just like we used to do, I’m always walkin’
After midnight, searchin’ for you (wa-wa-walking, wa-wa-walking)
I walk for miles along the highway
Well, that’s just my way
Of sayin’ I love you, I’m always walkin’
After midnight, searchin’ for you (wa-wa-walking, wa-wa-walking)
I stop to see a weepin’ willow
Cryin’ on his pillow
Maybe he’s cryin’ for me
And as the skies turn gloomy
Night winds whisper to me
I’m lonesome as I can be
I go out walkin’ after midnight
Out in the moonlight
Just hopin’ you may be somewhere a-walkin’
After midnight, searchin’ for me (Wa-wa-walking, wa-wa-walking)
I stop to see a weepin’ willow
Cryin’ on his pillow
Maybe he’s cryin’ for me
And as the skies turn gloomy
Night winds whisper to me
I’m lonesome as I can be
I go out walkin’ after midnight
Out in the moonlight
Just hopin’ you may be somewhere a-walkin’
After midnight, searchin’ for me (wa-wa-walking, wa-ooh-ah)