In 1981, following a two-year tour with Leon Russell, Johnson and Burch left the group. Bush and Cowan decided to continue performing, and added New Yorker Béla Fleck and Californian Pat Flynn, a session guitarist, to the group. This lineup was stable for the remainder of the band's existence. Their last concert was December 31, 1989, opening for the Grateful Dead at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The breakup has been attributed to Fleck's desire for a solo jazz career. Bush, Fleck and Cowan have all had successful solo careers since that time.
After Courtney Johnson died of lung cancer in 1996, Bush, Fleck, Cowan, and Burch reunited for one concert (September 24, 1996) at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee to benefit his widow.
In 1997, when Garth Brooks was invited to perform on The Late Show with Conan O'Brien to perform "Do What You Gotta Do", a song written by Pat Flynn, he asked Flynn, Bush, Cowan, and Fleck to join him in performing it. Since that performance, Flynn has worked with both Cowan and Fleck, but not Bush. Likewise, Bush has also worked with Cowan and Fleck on numerous occasions. It is unlikely that a reunion will take place. Bush and Cowan have also played with Burch.
In April 2007, Bush, Fleck, Cowan, and Flynn stepped forward together into the spotlight during the Merlefest 20th Anniversary Jam and played the Townes Van Zandt song "White Freight Liner." The single song reunion was the first time the four of them had played together in a decade.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In the middle of the night
New Grass Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I forgot my love and I lost my friend
The murder was easy to soft my charm
But this darkness is about to do me some harm
I locked my doors and my windows too
But that ol' wind still whistled through
I used to be so close to you
In the middle of the night
Somethin' just ain't right, midnight
Where's that mornin' light? Midnight
I'm used to makin' it by myself
Oh Lord, but this here is somethin' else
My head feels hot but my hands are so cold
I saw few years and I feel so old
Sweet Sally don't come around no more
She read my palm and showed me the door
I got nowhere to pretend
I feel like it's either me or them
Your love was made for three am
In the middle of the night
Somethin' just ain't right, midnight
Where's that mornin' light? Midnight
I'm used to makin' it by myself
Oh Lord, and this here is somethin' else
Somethin' else, this here is somethin' else
Somethin' else, this here is somethin' else
I got a love that is ice cold fire
Deep blue dreams and red desire
Father, son and holy ghost
Where's the one I need the most?
I'll admit that I've been wrong
I've been singing the same old song
I've been feelin' the way I feel too long
In the middle of the night
Somethin' just ain't right, midnight
Where's that mornin' light? Midnight
I'm used to makin' it by myself
Oh no, but this here is somethin' else
I'm used to makin' it by myself
Oh Lord, but this here is somethin' else
Somethin' else, but this here is somethin' else
Somethin' else, but this here is somethin' else
The lyrics to New Grass Revival's song "In the Middle of the Night" depict a character struggling with loneliness and a sense of foreboding. The singer reflects on losing both love and friendship, admitting to feeling lost and old. They describe a temptation towards darkness, represented by the idea of murder being easy to "soft my charm," and the wind howling through their locked doors and windows. The character believes that their love was made for 3 am, but that they are currently far from the person they need the most.
The repeated refrain of "Somethin' just ain't right, midnight/ Where's that mornin' light?" underscores the sense of unease and confusion the singer is feeling. They feel like they've been wrong for too long and that they're singing the same old song. Despite their admission of wrongdoing, there is no clear resolution or path forward offered in the song. It ends on a somber note of resignation, with the character acknowledging that their current situation is "somethin' else" entirely.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I tell you a story that's got no end
I am about to recount a tale that doesn't conclude, just like my troubles.
I forgot my love and I lost my friend
I neglected my affection and forfeited my companionship.
The murder was easy to soft my charm
Eliminating my pleasant facade was effortless.
But this darkness is about to do me some harm
However, this gloominess looms ominously and may harm me.
I locked my doors and my windows too
I secured my doors and windows shut, but it didn't matter.
But that ol' wind still whistled through
The cold draft still managed to pass through the tiniest crevices.
I used to be so close to you
I reminisce how we were once intimate.
In the middle of the night
I find myself sleepless, yet again.
Somethin' just ain't right, midnight
Something feels off, and it's midnight.
Where's that mornin' light? Midnight
I long for daylight, yet I am still awake at midnight.
I'm used to makin' it by myself
I am used to dealing with my problems alone.
Oh Lord, but this here is somethin' else
But this particular issue feels overpowering.
My head feels hot but my hands are so cold
My thoughts are hazy while my hands are frigid.
I saw few years and I feel so old
I have seen time pass but feel ancient.
Sweet Sally don't come around no more
Sweet Sally, the one who once brought me solace, has gone missing.
She read my palm and showed me the door
After revealing my future, she abandoned me.
I got nowhere to pretend
I have nowhere to pretend everything is alright.
I feel like it's either me or them
I am unsure if I am the problem or if they are.
Your love was made for three am
Your love was specifically tailored for moments like these in the early hours of the morning.
I got a love that is ice cold fire
The love I have is simultaneously chilly and passionate.
Deep blue dreams and red desire
I have vivid dreams and fervent cravings.
Father, son and holy ghost
I call upon the Holy Trinity for guidance.
Where's the one I need the most?
But where is the one individual I need to be with?
I'll admit that I've been wrong
I will concede that I have made errors.
I've been singing the same old song
I constantly find myself repeating the same lamentable tune.
I've been feelin' the way I feel too long
I have been experiencing these emotions for far too long.
Somethin' else, this here is somethin' else
This particular issue is far more dire than anything before.
I'm used to makin' it by myself
I have always been self-sufficient, making it alone.
Oh Lord, but this here is somethin' else
But this situation is so challenging that I cannot handle it alone.
Somethin' else, but this here is somethin' else
This issue is different from the rest and cannot be resolved in the same way.
Somethin' else, but this here is somethin' else
This crisis exceeds all previous problems and will require much more to overcome.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAT FLYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
strawman8
I always liked Sam's mandolin magic but never realized how good he was on fiddle. Pat does a great job on this song and of course is an awesome guitar picker. NGR is a great, great band.
Nicholas Dal Porto
Oh yeah, search up the video of them doing Big Foot on here, it's amazing.
Jeff McCoy
best fucking band of all time i grew up listening to new grass, i can listen to these guys all day not lying!!! i love me some new grass pure talent right here
Bob Smith
It must be so much fun to have as much talent as these guys do individually, but even more fun to perform with 3 other musicians of equal talent!
caraphyllis
Very groovy newgrass - nice vocal, great playing, excellent harmonies, etc.
Inma- Bohemiatotal
I love this band, they are genius, all of them
SilverStrike
Wow! I never knew Pat sang lead on this song. I always thought it was Bush. Very good singer.
Skywatcher777
RUuser, you're correct, this video is from Austin City Limits' 1984 season. I have the Austin City Limits book which has information on how the show came about and the seasons from 1976 thru 1986, complete with photos of the performers. I have loved New Grass Revival since I first heard them in the late 80s. I miss them! So glad that I found these videos on YouTube!!!
RUuser
This performance was from an Austin City Limits show. The song was written by Pat Flynn, the guitaris, and was the sixth track on a 1986 Capitol/EMI cd.
Anita W
Pat Flynn - the George Harrison of Bluegrass!