In the Midnight Hour

[saxomonica]

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Lyrics

I’m gonna wait ’til the midnight hour
That’s when my love comes tumbling down
I’m gonna wait ’til the midnight hour
When there’s no one else around
I’m gonna take you, girl, and hold you
And do all the things I told you
In the midnight hour
Yes I am, oh, yes I am
One more thing I just want to say right here
I’m gonna wait ’til the stars come out
And see that twinkle in your eyes
I’m gonna wait ’til the midnight hour
That when my love begins to shine
You’re the only girl I know
That really love me so
In the midnight hour
Oh yeah, in the midnight hour
Yeah, all right, play it for me one time
I’m gonna wait ’til midnight hour
That’s when my love comes tumbling down
I’m gonna wait, way in the midnight hour
That’s when my love begins to shine
Just you and I
Oh baby, huh, just you and I
Nobody around baby, just you and I
All right
You know what, I’m gonna hold you in my arms, just you and I
Oh, yeah
In the midnight hour
Oh, baby

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Stephen Lee Cropper / Wilson Jr. Pickett

In the Midnight Hour lyrics © Cotillion Music Inc., East Memphis Music Corp.

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https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/InTheMidnightHour.pdf

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In the Midnight Hour: The Life & Soul of Wilson Pickett

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AI Overview

F pentatonic blues scales use the F minor pentatonic (F Ab Bb C Eb) with an added “blue note” (C♭/B♮) for the F minor blues scale, giving notes: F, Ab, Bb, C♭, C, Eb, creating that classic tense, soulful sound over F blues changes; while an F major blues scale uses the F major pentatonic (F G A C D) plus the flat third (Ab) for notes: F, G, Ab, A, C, D, offering a brighter, yet still bluesy feel.

F Minor Blues Scale (Most Common)
Notes: F – Ab – Bb – C♭ – C – Eb – F (Root, m3, P4, diminished 5th/blue note, P5, m7).
Formula: Root, m3, P4, d5, P5, m7.
Vibe: Dark, moody, classic blues/rock/jazz.

F Major Blues Scale

Notes: F – G – Ab – A – C – D – F (Root, M2, m3, M3, P5, M6).
Formula: Root, M2, m3, M3, P5, M6 (Major Pentatonic + flat 3rd).
Vibe: Brighter, soulful, also common in blues and rock.
How to Use Them (Guitar Example)

Minor Blues (Position 1): Often starts around the 1st or 13th fret. A common pattern on the low E string is 1st fret (F), 4th fret (Ab), 1st fret (Bb), 2nd fret (C♭), 3rd fret (C), 1st fret (Eb).
Key: You can play these scales over an F7 chord (F-A-C-Eb) or a standard F blues progression (F7, Bb7, C7) for improvisation.

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AI Overview

Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour” is a seminal soul/R&B track defined by its innovative, delayed backbeat (accenting beats 2 & 4), raw vocal delivery, and themes of intense, passionate love occurring at a secretive midnight hour, symbolizing a moment of intense romantic or physical surrender, famously co-written with Steve Cropper at Stax Records in 1965. Its musical breakthrough came from its distinctive rhythm, mirroring a popular dance step (the “Jerk”), creating an irresistible groove that became a cornerstone of 60s soul and influenced countless artists.

Musical & Rhythmic Analysis

Delayed Backbeat: Producer Jerry Wexler introduced a revolutionary technique by accenting the second and fourth beats (the backbeat) instead of the first and third, creating a syncopated, “um-chaw” groove that was instantly danceable and different from earlier R&B.
Stax Sound: The track showcases the classic Stax Records sound with its tight, uncluttered arrangement, featuring session legends like Al Jackson Jr. (drums) and Donald “Duck” Dunn (bass).
Instrumentation: Features prominent, textured horn arrangements (trumpets, saxophones) that punctuate Pickett’s vocals and the driving rhythm section.

Lyrical & Thematic Analysis

The Midnight Hour: The central metaphor refers to a late-night rendezvous, a time when inhibitions drop and passionate love “comes tumbling down,” borrowing a phrase from gospel but secularizing it for secular R&B.

Anticipation & Surrender: Lyrics like “I’m gonna wait ’til the midnight hour / That’s when my love comes tumbling down” build tension for a climactic romantic or physical release.
Ambiguity: While suggestive, the exact “things” happening at midnight are left open to interpretation, from a simple romantic meeting to something more profound, mirroring the song’s raw, immediate feel.

Cultural Significance & Legacy
Soul Music Landmark: A foundational track for Southern Soul, it brought Pickett to stardom and is recognized by the Library of Congress for its cultural significance.
Influence: Its innovative rhythm and raw energy influenced generations of soul, funk, and rock musicians, with covers by The Rolling Stones, Ringo Starr, and others cementing its status.

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https://forum.bassbuzz.com/t/song-23-in-the-midnight-hour-by-wilson-pickett/24499/3

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https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/wilson-pickett/in-the-midnight-hour-chords-200183

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