The seeds of what was to become The Classics IV were sown in Jacksonville, Florida in the early 1960s when a young drummer named Dennis Yost joined some high school classmates in a band called "The Echoes". By 1965, he had moved on to form a another group with James Cobb, Wally Eaton, and Joe Wilson, calling themselves "The Classics". Wilson was eventually replaced in the group by Dean Daughtry.
The group achieved their first taste of success with a local hit titled "Pollyanna" written by Joe South. The band started to attract attention, not only for their soulful sound, but Dennis was one of the few drummers to play while standing up and also singing lead. When the band learned of a New York City group that had a small amount of success with a song titled "Till Then," using the same name, they changed their handle to "The Four Classics" and eventually "The Classics IV".
By 1967, the band had moved to Atlanta, Georgia and were soon approached by Bill Lowery of The Lowery Music Group, who secured a recording contract with Capitol Records. For their first release, guitarist James Cobb and producer Buddy Buie added lyrics to an instrumental called "Spooky", a regional hit for saxophonist Mike Sharpe. After the record's release, it was picked up by a radio station in Louisville, Kentucky and began to get airplay. The song's popularity spread nationally and it climbed to number 3 on Billboard's Hot 100 in early in 1968, although it only reached number 46 in the UK.
Now in demand for TV and live appearances, the group hired drummer Kim Venable and brought Dennis Yost to the front to sing. A follow up song called "Soul Train" failed to match the success of "Spooky", but another tune written by James Cobb and Buddy Buie, "Stormy" shot up the chart to number 5 in 1969, becoming the band's second million seller. Later the same year, they scored a number 2 hit and a third gold record with "Traces Of Love", also written by Cobb and Buie. Touring with the hottest acts of the day, Dennis Yost and The Classics IV scored two more hits in late 1969, a number 12 hit called "Every Day With You Girl" and "Change Of Heart" which reached number 25.
They changed their name again, to Dennis Yost and the Classics IV, and had one last minor hit, "What Am I Crying For?" (1972, #39) on the MGM South label.
As musical tastes changed, guitarists James Cobb and Dean Daughtry, along with producer Buddy Buie left The Classics IV to team up with some former members of Roy Orbison's back up band. The result was The Atlanta Rhythm Section, who would go on to have an impressive string of hits in the 70s, including two Top 10 records, "So In To You" and "Imaginary Lover" along with their own cover version of "Spooky".
An attempt to feature Dennis Yost as a solo artist never got off the ground and he could only muster minor success with, "Midnight" and "Where Did All The Good Times Go", as he switched labels to Imperial in 1972. One last top forty entry, "What Am I Crying For?" was released on the MGM South label and a final effort, "Rosanna" stalled at number 95 in March of 1973.
Although he could no longer make a hit record, Yost never stopped touring, and continued to appear with the likes of Gary Lewis and The Playboys, Chuck Berry, The Drifters, The Coasters, The Turtles, Paul Revere and The Raiders, Eric Clapton and many others. After moving to Nashville in 1993, he added writing and record production to his list of accomplishments. He currently has twenty-seven published works to his credit and produced Barbara Lewis ("Hello Stranger," "Baby, I'm Yours," and "Make Me Your Baby") on a song called "Donor" to help the cause of organ donation awareness.
At the turn of the millennium, Dennis underwent successful throat surgery for a condition that had severely impaired his singing voice. He also won a trademark dispute which gave him exclusive rights to the name "The Classics IV" for both performing and recording purposes.
Midnight
Classics IV Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think about a midnight long ago
I remember midnight kisses & the magic of a smile
& the midnight moon above like it used a crown
(Ooo Midnight, ooo Midnight)
My days are lonely without you
So I used to call her Midnight just for fun
We were laughing through the darnkess, making wishes on a star
& every wish came true except for one
(Ooo Midnight, ooo Midnight)
My days are lonely without you
(Instrumental)
(Ooo Midnight, ooo Midnight)
My days are lonely without you
& now I'm always midnight blue
The lyrics of "Midnight" by Classics IV tell the story of a love that was once magical but has now faded away. The opening lines of the song set the scene of a new day beginning, but also bring back memories of a midnight long ago when the love story began. The singer thinks back to when they were together and how the midnight hour added to the enchantment of their relationship. It was a time of midnight kisses, midnight stars, and the midnight moon above that appeared to be a crown.
The lyrics then take a turn towards the present, where the singer is overcome with feelings of loneliness without their loved one. The song tells a tale of missed opportunities, as the couple used to make wishes on a star, and every wish came true except for one. The song's use of the word "Midnight" throughout creates a sense of longing and regret for what once was. The song's final line, "and now I'm always midnight blue," emphasizes how the singer feels lost and hopeless without their love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Midnight" are simple yet effective in telling a story of love and loss. The song uses the imagery of the midnight hour to create a sense of magic and enchantment, while also emphasizing the heartache of a lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
When the sun comes up in the mornin' till the shadows start to fade
From sunrise to sunset, when the darkness gradually fades, I think about a long-ago midnight.
I think about a midnight long ago
I recall a specific night in the past.
I remember midnight kisses & the magic of a smile
I have fond memories of exchanging kisses and enjoying the enchanting effect of a smile.
& the midnight moon above like it used a crown
The full moon appeared like it was wearing a crown in the night sky.
(Ooo Midnight, ooo Midnight)
My days are lonely without you
Repeating the chorus, which expresses how empty life feels without the person I miss.
It was 12 o'clock when I met her, & her hair was raven black
I recall the moment I first encountered her and noticing her long, black hair.
So I used to call her Midnight just for fun
As a playful nickname, I frequently referred to her as Midnight.
We were laughing through the darkness, making wishes on a star
Together, we had a good time, even in the absence of light, and wished upon a star.
& every wish came true except for one
All but one of the wishes we made that night became a reality.
& now I'm always midnight blue
As a result of missing the person who was named Midnight, I feel unceasingly melancholic.
Contributed by Julian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carolrobinson9565
Turned 68 today, love this song along with the rest. What a wonderful world of music we've been blessed with. So good to know how many others feel the same way I do about all these great artists. Love the comments.
@groovinmoose
a truly forgotten 45.....no one knows about this song unless you have the Classics IV greatest hits.....very very nice song
@1435682
I was a DJ at a Top 40 radio station in the Virgin Islands in the late 60's early 70's. I used to play this and other songs by the Classics IV often. I was never into rock and acid music. I am a true romantic at heart and always favored love songs like this. It was a truly GREAT time in history to have been a part of something so wonderful and to share music with thousands of people. Those were the best days of my life for sure. I was in my early 20's then.
@johnhouston9764
vulgar words.
@johnhouston9764
My God the crap that passes for music now. Impossible to understand the lyrics or they're mostly
@carolrobinson9565
God bless you Mr. Russell, I hope you're still with us enjoying these good ole classics and memories.
@gisleineleite6122
Dennis Yost is unforgetable ❤️ wonderful voice, played sax as no one else, great artist who brings us sweet memories ... Greetings from Brasil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
@MrDoneboy
Dennis was an AWESOME vocalist!
@user-wh2bh2br7i
So beatiful song, love Dennis Yost voice, love Classic IV.
@jorgeespinosa3179
Holds up very well today. What a fun time it was growing up with the Classic 4, and the bands of that era.