The group, formed in New Haven, Connecticut, consisted of leader Fred Parris, Lou Peebles, Stanley Dortch, Ed Martin and Jim Freeman in 1954. With little success, the group reorganized, with Dortch and Peebles leaving, and new member Al Denby entering. The group then recorded "In the Still of the Night", which was originally released as the b-side to the single, "The Jones Girl". The single was released the following year, and "In the Still of the Night" ended up charting at number three on the R&B chart and number 25 on the pop charts. Parris entered the Army soon after, and the group reorganized again, with Martin, Freeman, Tommy Killebrew, Jessie Murphy and new lead Bill Baker. This lineup hit with another highly successful song, Billy Dawn Smith's "To The Aisle".
Upon Parris' return from the Army, a new lineup was assembled, consisting of Parris, Lou Peebles (who was in a previous incarnation of the Five Satins), Sylvester Hopkins, Richie Freeman and Wes Forbes. The group would be briefly known as "Fred Parris and the Scarlets", until the Baker-led group split up. At this point, they reverted to the Five Satins name, but had little success on the charts.
By the early 1970s the group was Parris, Peebles, Richie Freeman, Jimmy Curtis and Corky Rogers, and they continued recording into the 1980s, with Parris, Richie Freeman, Curtis and Nate Marshall. Meanwhile, Bill Baker started his own Five Satins group in 1981, with former Satin Sylvester Hopkins and Hopkins' brothers Carl and Frank. By the late 1980s, this group consisted of Baker, Harvey Potts, Jr., Anthony Hofler and Octavio DeLeon.
Fred Parris continues to perform. Bill Baker died in 1994.
Awards and recognition:
In 2003, the Five Satins were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Present day:
One of the original members of the Five Satins now works in the cafeteria at the University of New Haven. Jim Freeman lives in Norwalk, Iowa and owns a pest control company. Wes Forbes is a psychologist in the State of California, currently employed with Alliant International University as a Training Director
Fred Parris passed away in January of 2022.
In the Still of the Night
The Five Satins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I held you
Held you tight
'Cause I love
Love you so
Promise I'll never
Let you go
In the still of the night
I remember
That night in May
The stars were bright above
I'll hope and I'll pray
To keep
Your precious love
Well before the light
Hold me again
With all of your might
In the still of the night
So before the light
Hold me again
With all of your might
In the still of the night
In the still of the night
The Five Satins's song In the Still of the Nite is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time. The song is a love ballad that captures the essence of the night and the emotions that come with it. The opening line, "In the still of the night," immediately evokes a sense of quiet and calm, and sets the tone for a heartfelt confession from the singer to his lover. The song progresses with the singer professing his love for the woman and promising to never let her go. The second verse speaks of a specific memory, a night in May when the stars were bright above. The singer reflects on his hope and prayer to keep his lover's precious love, and his desire to be held tightly by her before the break of dawn.
The song's simple yet powerful lyrics have resonated with audiences for over six decades, making it a staple of slow dance numbers and romantic playlists. It is a beautiful expression of love and the passion that comes with it. The repetition of the opening line, "In the still of the night," serves as a refrain that brings the song full circle, reminding the listener of the calm and intimacy that comes with the night.
Line by Line Meaning
In the still of the night
During the quietness of the night
I held you
I embraced you
Held you tight
Embraced you with strength
'Cause I love
Because I am in love
Love you so
Have intense feelings of love for you
Promise I'll never
Make a vow to never
Let you go
Allow you to leave
I remember
Recall from my memory
That night in May
The particular night in the month of May
The stars were bright above
The stars shone luminously in the sky
I'll hope and I'll pray
I'll keep optimistic and ask God for a commitment
To keep
To hold on to
Your precious love
Your valuable affection
Well before the light
Long time prior to the daybreak
Hold me again
Embrace me one more time
With all of your might
With great force and effort
In the still of the night
During the quietness of the night
So before the light
Therefore, before daybreak
Hold me again
Embrace me one more time
With all of your might
With great force and effort
In the still of the night
During the quietness of the night
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Fredericke Parris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@margareta.halliseyq1777
Such good memories! I lived them!! I was 16 when this came out! Im now 82!
@AxxSir
Im 24 and love this song :)
@Greenday1994-t5t
I'm 39 and love this tune
@BobHairEnjoyer
I'm 18! Helps a-lot with the story I write!
A timeless classic.
@fleetcenturion
When my family would take long trips, the oldies station was the only thing we could all agree to listen to. Now, the "oldies" are all from the '80s and '90s. I miss the good ol' days!
@fredk9999
Same here
@acesbet
I was born in 1935 when the 50’s music came out I was (15). I was given the chance to enjoy the movies of the 1940’s. Plus I got to live with the music of 50’s and on TV with American Bandstand. Oh what I Life I had. After I met the love of my life I enjoyed (61) with her until the Lord wanted her back. You do the Math. I am (88) but soon to be (89). Oh what a life we had together.
@katanne7382
What treasure you had and still do.
@Kate-gt2wo
What a good life you've had.
The older I get the more precious the memories become.
@Printzor
I am 31 and I envy you sir. I love this music and your story you shared. God bless you.