The group was formed in 1954 in Los Angeles by four brothers from Mississippi, Lester, George, Willie and Joe Chambers. They toured extensively throughout southern California but did not achieve nationwide success until 1965 when, with the addition of drummer Brian Keenan, they appeared at the Newport Folk Festival. Shortly after this they recorded their debut album People Get Ready. The band scored their first major hit in 1968 with "Time Has Come Today", from their similarly named third album The Time Has Come. However they found it difficult to build on this success and their manager had alienated both record company representatives and producers. He also misappropriated the groups' earnings . They eventually split up in 1971. They reformed without Brian Keenan in 1974 to record Unbonded and have toured regularly since.
Brian Keenan's percussion work on "Time Has Come Today" makes this song a classic in combination with Lester Chambers' lyrics. In the San Francisco Summer of Love in 1967, "Time Has Come Today" stood on its own merits and a refreshing respite from the otherwise drug adoring culture.
In the Midnight Hour
The Chambers Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's when my love comes tumblin' 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
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's when my love begins to shine
You're the only girl I know
That really loves me so
In the midnight hour
Oh, yeah, in the midnight hour
(Yeah! All right - play it for me one time now)
I'm gonna wait til the midnight hour
That's when my love comes tumblin' down
I'm gonna wait 'til the midnight hour
When there's no one else around
Just you and I oh, baby, hah!
Just you and I nobody around, baby, just you and I
All right
You know what?
I'm gonna hold you in my arms
The Chambers Brothers's song In The Midnight Hour is all about waiting for the perfect time to show love and affection to a special person. The singer is ready to wait until the midnight hour when there's no one else around to take his girl and hold her, and do all the things he's promised. He talks about waiting for the stars to come out and seeing the twinkle in her eyes before his love begins to shine. The girl he's singing to is the only one who loves him the way he wants to be loved, and he's ready to hold her and show her how much he cares.
The song takes on a slightly sexual tone, with the lyrics suggesting that the singer intends to do more than just hold his girl in his arms. The phrase "and do all the things I told you" implies that there have been some promises made, and the midnight hour is the time to fulfill them. The use of repetition in the song also emphasizes the waiting, with multiple verses repeating the same message. The instruments and vocals create a sense of anticipation and longing, fitting perfectly with the theme of the song.
Overall, In The Midnight Hour is a love song that emphasizes waiting for the right moment to show affection. The midnight hour represents a time when the world stops and allows love to take over, while the singer's promises and desires add a slightly sexual element to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna wait til the midnight hour
I'm going to wait until it's late at night.
That's when my love comes tumblin' down
That's when I feel a rush of love and emotion.
I'm gonna wait 'til the midnight hour
I'm going to wait until it's late at night.
When there's no one else around
When there is nobody else nearby to disturb us.
I'm gonna take you girl and hold you
I am going to embrace you and hold you close.
And do all the things I told you
I will perform all of the actions that I promised you.
In the midnight hour
Late at night, when it's quiet and dark outside.
Yes I am, oh, yes, I am
I am definitely going to wait until the midnight hour.
I'm gonna wait 'til the stars come out
I am going to wait until the stars are visible in the sky.
And see that twinkle in your eyes
I want to see the sparkle in your eyes when you're happy.
That's when my love begins to shine
That's when my feelings of love become apparent and obvious.
You're the only girl I know
You are the only girl that I know well.
That really loves me so
Who loves me so deeply.
In the midnight hour
During late hours of the night.
Oh, yeah, in the midnight hour
Definitely during the late hours of the night.
(Yeah! All right - play it for me one time now)
Yes, let's play some music so we can enjoy our time together.
Just you and I oh, baby, hah!
Just you and I alone together, my dear.
Just you and I nobody around, baby, just you and I
Just you and I, with no one else around to distract us.
All right
OK, let's get started.
You know what?
Do you know what I'm thinking?
I'm gonna hold you in my arms
I am going to embrace you and hold you in my arms.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Wilson Pickett, Steve Cropper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertflannelly8054
Bot the because “Uptown”, sooo underrated this band. They “ Got It”!!!!
@richardestrada9714
Saw them at Fillmore west and Monterey and loved their harmonies.
@johnmullins2113
From the most underrated album of 1967. One of the best ever.
@hotajax
My first vinyl LP. Sits proudly in my record collection.
@markscott4969
You are Correct Sir!
@BabyChili1
I came here after learning Lester Chambers has been in a group called Moonalice. I love these guys now. I was born in 68, and I do remember Time Has Come, but now makes me want the LP. They should have played Woodstock like another YouTuber stated. Great group!
@golden.lights.twinkle2329
My favourite version of this song.
@petercohn4325
How is it possible that these guys were not superstars? What talent, style, power, determination, interpretations and heart and soul. Unique, wonderful music.
@RockandrollNegro
They were very popular in the sixties. Not as popular as they could've been if they had either gone full R&B or full rock; they didn't seem to be accepted by either genre, so they created their own style. Same thing always happens with artists that pave their own way and refuse to be confined to any one genre.
@stevennewton8323
why no one makes music like this anymore..sssso soulful