Through their long existence, they have worked with Classical musicians and are known for incorporating elements of Classical music into jazz, being one of the most notable examples of the style called Third Stream.
The group disbanded in 1974 and reformed in 1981 on a part-time basis, with their last new recording issued in 1993.
'Round Midnight
Modern Jazz Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Round midnight, midnight
I do pretty well, till after sundown
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
But it really gets bad
'Round midnight
Memories always start 'round midnight
When my heart is still with you
And ol' midnight knows it, too
When a quarrel we had needs mending
Does it mean that our love is ending
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart
And I'm out of my mind
Let our hearts take wings'
'Round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing
For your returning
Till our love is safe and sound
And old midnight comes around
Feelin' sad
Really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight
The lyrics of the song 'Round Midnight by the Modern Jazz Quartet describe the feeling of heartbreak and missing someone very much, especially at night. The song talks about how the memories of the past always seem to start around midnight and how it becomes difficult to deal with those memories as they remind the singer of the person they love. The singer then talks about how the heart needs to heal from the quarrels and the pain that they've had, and despite not seeing the loved one anymore, they still long for them. The singer then asks for the angels to sing until their love becomes safe and sound again, and the night no longer saddens and hurts them.
The song beautifully captures the essence of night and the emotions it can bring. The lyrics speak of longing, sadness, and heartbreak that are so painfully relatable. It talks about how the night can become a lonely place, and the darkness can amplify the pain within. The lyrics also touch upon the healing power of love and prayers, and how even in the darkest night, love can light the way.
Line by Line Meaning
It begins to tell
The song is starting and telling a story.
'Round midnight, midnight
The events of the story take place around midnight.
I do pretty well, till after sundown
The singer is doing well during the day, but feels down after sunset.
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
The singer feels sad during the evening meal.
But it really gets bad
The sadness intensifies as the night goes on.
'Round midnight
The story reaches its climax around midnight.
Memories always start 'round midnight
The singer's memories of a past love often arise around midnight.
Haven't got the heart to stand those memories
The singer is unable to cope with these memories emotionally.
When my heart is still with you
The singer's heart still belongs to the person they're remembering.
And ol' midnight knows it, too
The midnight hour seems to understand the singer's heartache.
When a quarrel we had needs mending
The singer and their past love had a fight that needs to be resolved.
Does it mean that our love is ending
The singer is unsure if this fight means the relationship is over.
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
The singer still loves their past partner and misses them.
You're out of my heart
The singer is trying to move on and forget the past love.
And I'm out of my mind
Despite their efforts, the singer is still consumed by thoughts of their past love.
Let our hearts take wings'
The singer is hoping for a reconciliation with their past love.
'Round midnight, midnight
The events leading to this reunion would happen around midnight.
Let the angels sing
The singer is calling for divine intervention to help them reunite with their past love.
For your returning
The singer is hoping for their past love's return.
Till our love is safe and sound
The singer wants to ensure the relationship is secure and stable.
And old midnight comes around
The singer is waiting for the midnight hour and hoping for a reunion.
Feelin' sad
The singer is still experiencing heartache.
Really gets bad
Despite their hopes and wishes, the sadness remains intense.
Round, Round, Round Midnight
The song ends with a repetition of the midnight theme.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cootie Williams, Bernard D Hanighen, Theolonious S Monk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charles Barry
This great band has gone down in history. All the members have exited this planet. Excellent chamber jazz.
Steve Lacey
Pure class just wished i,d seen them live
djmcc1981
A geuine work of art! I think I'll put this on repeat...:D
jonathan portelli
breathless, timeless, outstanding, so much feeling so much romance towards music.not even the best of wines would have been sipped with so much love. endless masterpeices.
mattleemattlee123
The epitome of cool and class. Throw this on the car stereo and take a drive up highway one from San Simeon to Carmel sometime... MJQ, Erroll Garner, Miles' Kind Of Bue...I don't think we'll see their ilk again any time soon.
williamanesbitt
Love the camera work... Vibes gotta be the coolest instrument ever. Chamber jazz at its finest. Performed appropriately on a concert hall stage. I could listen to this stuff all night. And never once ask myself where the horn player is.
adeduction
Genius Music. Late 80s early 90s. Played this song many times since the early 50s - that's why it was PEFECT.
bruce robbins
IMHO, the MJQ has a claim to be the greatest jazz quartet ever. Four jazz greats who just clicked, where the whole was a great deal more than its incredible parts! It's just a rhythm section with vibes. What a rhythm section!! They turned themselves into a living breathing organism. Look at their faces. They're having a ball, even though they've played this countless times. Well rehearsed, but not OVERrehearsed. They're probably always surprising each other!!
castorbtlanger
This is just the most pleasant music I have experienced. They calmed me down as a teenager, and I questioned everything, but never their work.. For me, they are the greatest quartet ever.
tippi02
Marvelous. John Lewis's syncopation are incredible, lyrical; when Milt's Jackson continuo keeps the line. Fusional.