Golden oldies music can certainly be characterized by its variety. One of the fun things about this first era of rock and roll is the cross-over of artists from different genres on the charts. DJs would say, “If it’s a hit, it plays.” And “Walkin’ After Midnight” was a cross-over from the country genre. The lyrics express love, sadness and longing from a woman’s point of view. She’s searching and hopes he is too.At first, Patsy Cline was not fond of the song, which was written by Alan Block and Donn Hect. It was originally intended for Kay Starr, a pop and jazz singer. However, after making a compromise with her label, Cline recorded it. In January of 1957, she appeared on the TV Show Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts and performed the song. The response from viewers was so strong that the single was rush-released in February, 1957. “Walkin’ After Midnight” became Cline’s first major hit single, reaching #2 on the Billboard Country Music Chart, and #12 on the Pop Chart. The single sold more than one million copies and earned an RIAA gold record.
This was Patsy Cline's first hit song. She was signed to Four Star Records, who were a popular Country music label and had her record this song, which was written by staff songwriters Alan Block and Don Hecht. Cline didn't particularly like the song, but it suited her emotional delivery as she delivered this tale of loneliness and lost love.
The song got a big boost when Cline performed it on the variety show Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and won that night's competition. It became a crossover hit, charting at #2 Country and #12 Pop, and established Cline as a Country singer capable of mainstream success.
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
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
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 starlight
Just hopin' you may be
somewhere a-walkin'
After midnight,
searchin' for me
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
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