They were formed in the late seventies. After quickly gaining enormous popularity in the Kansas City area, Shooting Star became the first American group to be signed with Virgin Records. They recorded their 1979 debut album (Shooting Star) in England with legendary producer Gus Dudgeon, best known for his work with Elton John and David Bowie. The band gained national exposure when a number of songs garnered moderate air-play on Album-oriented rock radio stations in the US.
Their initial line-up included Van McLain on guitar and vocals, Charles Waltz on violin, keyboards and vocals, Bill Guffey on keyboards, Gary West on guitar and vocals, Ron Verlin on bass, and Steve Thomas on drums.
Some releases include:
Burning - 1983
It's Not Over - 1991
Into The Night - 2015
Midnight Man
Shooting Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm taking a midnight ride
Yes, I'm a midnight man
I can't hold it in
Hold it in
Spent time on the run
Love with a loaded six gun
I'm a fool not a clown
You got to hold me down
Hold me down
I'm like the one-eyed Jack
My love's blood to the max
Got loving and that's a fact
I can't hold it back
Hold it back
She knows I can't
She's the midnight girl
And I'm a midnight man
My clothes get inside out
Parting's all I know about
My head is feeling light
I got to hold it high
Hold it high, yeah
All across the world
Sounds to fill the night
Voices of friends
So loud, so loud
Loud, yeah
And I'm a midnight man
My head is spinning
Can feel it
Time for us to get wild
Can you feel it
My head is feeling right
I got to hold it high
Hold it high, hold it high
I'm staying up all tonight
Mama believe it
I'm taking a midnight ride
Mama believe it
I've got loving and that's a fact
And I can't hold it back
Hold it back, hold it back
She knows I can't
She's a midnight, midnight girl
And I'm a midnight man
The song "Midnight Man" by Shooting Star is a rock and roll anthem about living life on the edge and embracing the excitement of the midnight hour. The lyrics are filled with references to danger and risk-taking, as the singer describes himself as a "fool not a clown," and sings about his love with a "loaded six gun." He feels alive when he rides through the night, staying up until dawn, and sharing in the sounds of the city.
The song's chorus introduces the concept of the "midnight girl" and "midnight man," two characters who are perfectly suited to one another because of their shared affinity for living life on the edge. The singer is the "midnight man," a person who can't help but stay awake and take risks, while the "midnight girl" is his perfect match, a person who understands his drive and desire for excitement.
Overall, "Midnight Man" is an ode to living life to the fullest, embracing the unknown and the dangerous, and finding joy and excitement in every moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Staying up all night
I'm not going to sleep tonight
I'm taking a midnight ride
I'm going on a late night trip
Yes, I'm a midnight man
I'm someone who is awake and active at midnight
I can't hold it in
I can't keep this feeling bottled up
Hold it in
Don't restrain yourself
Spent time on the run
I've been on the move a lot
Love with a loaded six gun
My love life is exciting and dangerous
I'm a fool not a clown
I'm not here to make people laugh, but I may do things others consider foolish
You got to hold me down
You need to keep me under control
I'm like the one-eyed Jack
I'm like a card with one eye that can be interpreted in different ways
My love's blood to the max
I'm passionate about love
Got loving and that's a fact
I have love in my life
I can't hold it back
I can't control my feelings
Hold it back
Don't restrain yourself
She knows I can't
She knows I can't help it
She's the midnight girl
She's a girl who loves staying up late
My clothes get inside out
I'm active and my clothes get turned around
Parting's all I know about
I'm always on the move
My head is feeling light
My mind is feeling free
I got to hold it high
I need to stay confident
All across the world
Everywhere in the world
Sounds to fill the night
Noises to fill the darkness
Voices of friends
My friends' voices
So loud, so loud
Extremely loud
And I'm a midnight man
I'm someone who enjoys staying up late
My head is spinning
I feel dizzy
Can feel it
I sense it
Time for us to get wild
Let's have some fun
Can you feel it
Do you sense it
My head is feeling right
My mind is at ease
I'm staying up all tonight
I'm going to stay awake all night
Mama believe it
Trust me
And I can't hold it back
I can't contain my feelings
She's a midnight, midnight girl
She loves being up late
And I'm a midnight man
I love being up late
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith Watkins
A criminally underrated band. Midnight Man is off their brilliant debut album, an album with no filler, just killer. It closed with the magnificent "Last Chance", an epic rock song. Thanks for the upload and reaction, glad you enjoyed it.
M Bolster
Yeah, 'last chance' actually is an epic.