The Detroit Cobras signed with Sympathy for the Record Industry and released their first full-length album, Mink Rat or Rabbit, in 1998. After a three-year gap, they released a second album, Life, Love and Leaving Their retro-garage rock formula proved popular in the UK and prompted the London-based Rough Trade Records to sign the band. They released an EP, Seven Easy Pieces, in 2003 and their third full-length album, Baby, in 2004. Baby broke with the Cobras' tradition in that it included one original song, "Hot Dog (Watch Me Eat)". Baby was picked up for release in the US by Bloodshot (who added the songs from the Seven Easy Pieces EP to the end of Baby . In April 2007, Bloodshot released the band's fourth full-length, Tied & True.
The band is known for multiple lineup changes. They generally have a touring lineup different from their recording lineup. Greg Cartwright of Reigning Sound (aka Greg Oblivian of The Oblivians) has been a constant creative force along with Nagy and Ramirez, who have been around since the group's genesis.
In the summer of 2008, The Detroit Cobras went on tour in support of X on their 13x31 tour. For the summer of 2009, The Detroit Cobras headlined a tour w/ the Dex Romweber Duo in support.
Discography
Albums and EPs
Mink Rat or Rabbit LP, CD (1998, Sympathy for the Record Industry)
Life, Love and Leaving LP, CD (2001, Sympathy for the Record Industry)
Seven Easy Pieces EP CD (2003, Rough Trade)
Baby LP, CD (2004, Rough Trade; 2005, Bloodshot including Seven Easy Pieces and Enhanced Video of Cha Cha Twist)
Tied & True LP, CD (2007, Bloodshot)
The Original Recordings CD, 7" Box Set (Singles and Unreleased 1995-1997) (2008, Munster Records)
Compilations
""Bankstock II CD (44 Caliber Records, 1995, RFD 2301)
recorded live at The Miami, Detroit, July 4th weekend, 1995 Maria Christina-Shout Bama Lama (Otis Redding)
""'Half-Assed, Will Travel' LP (PerineumRecordings/AnywayRecords,1997)
You Don't Knock
""Shreds - Volume 4, American Underground '96 CD (Shredder Records, 1997)
Village Of Love (Mayer, Brown)
""Scooch Pooch Plays: Their Original Sins CD (Scooch Pooch, 1997, P0 28)
Slum Lord (Farren, Bishop)
""Shine On, Sweet Starlet LP/CD (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 1998, SFTRI 537) soundtrack of a film by John Michael McCarthy Coming Home
""Alright, This Time, Just The Girls 2xLP/2xCD (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 1999, SFTRI 576) Ain't Hittin' On Nothing (N. Neville)
""Where The Action Is CD (1+2 Records, 2001, 1+2 CD 124) You Knows
""Sympathetic Sounds Of Detroit LP/CD (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 2001
produced and recorded by Jack White, mixed by Jack White and Jim Diamond
""Shout Bama Lama (Otis Redding)
""Hometaping - Volume 1 CD (Kerrang!, 2002, kerrang 900)Hey Sailor (M.L.Lane)
""Rough Trade Shops Rock And Roll 1 7" (Mute Records, 2002, mute 289) Hey Sailor Rough Trade Shops Rock And Roll 2 xCD (Mute,CDStumm 212) Hey Sailor
""Jackass: The Music, Vol. 1 CD (Interscope Records, 2002) Cha Cha Twist
""New Blood - The New Rock N Roll Vol 3 CD (Artrocker, 2003, RRR 33010)Bad Girl
""Stop Me If You've Think You've Heard This One Before ... CD (Rough Trade Records, 2003, rtradecd 100) Last Nite (The Strokes)
""Rave On Buddy Holly - Cd/Vinyl - (2011, Hear Music, Fantasy/Concord Music Group)- Heartbeat
Singles
"Down In Louisiana" 7" (1996, Black Mamba)
"Village of Love" 7" (1996, Human Fly)
"Ain't It a Shame" 7" (1996, Scooch Pooch)
"Cha Cha Twist CD, 7" (2004, Rough Trade)
"Ya Ya Ya 7" (2008, Stag-O-Lee)
"Feel Good" Digital Single (2015, iTunes)
Midnight Blues
The Detroit Cobras Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keepin' me up all night long
Every time I feel a little bit free
I hear those blues, midnight blues
Convinced they're calling me
Midnight, you keep me runnin' around
Made up my mind, I'm gonna settle down
I hear those blues, midnight blues
Convinced they're calling me
I just can't help but feel a little bit shamed
Every time I hear you calling my name
I'm blaming you for all the bad things I've done
Still I will admit that every once in a while, it was fun
Oh, every night
You keep me runnin' around
Made up my mind, I'm gonna settle down
Every time I feel a little bit free
I hear those blues, midnight blues
Midnight blues, keeps on calling
Night blues, keeps on calling
In The Detroit Cobras song Midnight Blues, the singer is personifying the concept of midnight as an entity that is causing trouble and distress for the singer. The singer is struggling to sleep at night because they keep hearing the "blues" which they have labeled as the "midnight blues". The blues appear to be a metaphor for negative thoughts and feelings that the singer can't seem to escape from. They blame midnight for their troubles, feeling like it is keeping them from finding peace and freedom.
The song also touches on the idea of temptation and indulgence. The singer admits that they have done bad things and sometimes enjoy the time spent indulging in those things. But they also feel shame for their actions and are trying to move on from them. Midnight represents a pull back towards those indulgences and the singer is frustrated by its hold on them.
Overall, the song speaks to the struggle of trying to maintain a positive mindset and move towards a better version of oneself while feeling constantly pulled back into negative thought patterns and temptations.
Line by Line Meaning
Midnight, why are you doin' me wrong?
The singer is upset about how they can't sleep because of their connection with the blues, represented as Midnight.
Keepin' me up all night long
The singer can't seem to escape the hold that the blues have on them, even at night when they should be sleeping.
Every time I feel a little bit free
Whenever the singer feels happy or relaxed, they can't enjoy it because they hear the blues calling them.
I hear those blues, midnight blues
The artist hears the call of the blues loudly and clearly, represented by Midnight.
Convinced they're calling me
The artist is convinced that the blues are calling out to them specifically, leading them to feel trapped and frustrated.
You keep me runnin' around
The singer feels like they're constantly chasing after the blues, unable to escape its pull.
Made up my mind, I'm gonna settle down
The singer has decided to try and break away from the blues and settle down into a more stable life.
I just can't help but feel a little bit shamed
The artist feels some guilt about their addiction to the blues, but can't seem to escape it.
Every time I hear you calling my name
The artist hears the blues calling them by name, which only reinforces their sense of being trapped and unable to escape.
I'm blaming you for all the bad things I've done
The artist is placing blame on the blues for leading them to make poor choices in their life.
Still I will admit that every once in a while, it was fun
The singer acknowledges that even though the blues have caused them pain, there were also moments when they enjoyed being caught up in its spell.
Midnight blues, keeps on calling
Once again, the blues are personified as Midnight and the artist feels like it's always calling out to them.
Night blues, keeps on calling
The blues continue to call out to the singer, even in the dark of night.
Contributed by Caroline O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@timtoy442
RIP Rachel. We.will.always have your voice, your gift. 💔
@soazigbeaujour5737
So good so long
@THEDEEPDIVE
Feel lucky to have been able to see them play a few times in those Detroit garage rock revival days. Great voice and always a fun show. RIP Rachel.
@xmmx11
See you upstairs Rachel. >Your Scooby Doo forever.
@wedgecharger
Unfreakenbelievable.
@yseson_
💔 I just lost a friend today then I find out Rachel’s gone too. Shit life just keeps hitting makes it heavy to go on.
Sigh
What a voice, she will be sorely missed
@xmmx11
we're here bro.
@helenga666
So sorry. Feeling your pain too
@deadalive1980
Lost 5 this year. Losing myself too
@jesuslopez1515
RIP!!! Beautiful voice! Beautiful soul