Prior to forming The Midnight, Tyler Lyle and Tim McEwan were both established musicians. Lyle was an indie-folk singer-songwriter based in the state of Georgia and gained initial notability with several self-released titles, becoming regionally and nationally known. McEwan was a drummer and producer based in Denmark, later becoming a member of the Danish production group Deekay who has written and produced songs for many popular artists.
The pair met for the first time in 2012 at a songwriter’s workshop in North Hollywood organized by Katie Donovan, Lyle’s A&R representative at the time. Prior to meeting, McEwan had listened to some of Lyle’s previous work and liked Lyle’s folk sound. Despite differing musical backgrounds, they bonded over a mutual love of 80s rock and began to write songs together. After initially struggling to define their sound, McEwan suggested that they compose songs in the synthwave style. McEwan had prior exposure to the burgeoning genre and was inspired by the movie Drive. The first song they wrote together as a duo was WeMoveForward, which was included on their debut EP Days of Thunder.
STYLE AND WORKFLOW
For most of their career, The Midnight has created a strong and distinct synthwave sound in their music - Tim McEwan once described the band's early albums “as if Miami Vice had a baby with a John Hughes movie”. However, McEwan has continuously expressed a desire to evolve the synthwave genre and not be confined by it. Tyler Lyle has stated several times that the band's philosophy when composing is “combine, not confine”. Influences of genres such as lo-fi, soft rock, trance, and vaporwave can be heard on Monsters, and Lyle's musical background has brought influences of indie folk and Americana to the band's sound as well. Regarding the merging of their individual talents and styles, Lyle has said:
It’s rock and roll with synthesizers. Tim has a keen ear for production, and I can write songs that fit comfortably within the tradition of 20th century classic pop songwriting. Somewhere in the middle things get interesting.
McEwan employs various digital synths in his production, including Serum, Diva, TAL-U-NO-LX, Spire, and Roland Cloud's Jupiter 8 and Juno 106. In mid-2020, he mentioned that his favorite synth to use at the time was U-He's emulation of Prophet-5, known as Repro 5. McEwan has stated that he commonly begins with presets and then tweaks them to his liking. KONTAKT is used for sampling.
Both McEwan and Lyle use Logic Pro on macOS as their primary Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).Universal Audio interfaces are used to capture their sounds, which are then processed using UAD plugins. Using the same utilities makes it easier for them to share session files as a significant amount of their work is done remotely, due to living in different areas of the US. However, they will usually get together in the same room a few times during a release's production and will often write and record together while on tour. A release's sound and overall direction are generally created by the two bouncing ideas off each other - McEwan will send Lyle a rough track or beat, which Lyle will then think of lyrics and a title that would go good with the beat, after which McEwan will further build and produce the track. McEwan has stated that the production of a typical The Midnight album takes around three to six months, “from the early gestating part to finish”.
Production and drums are handled by McEwan, with Lyle providing guitar, lyrics, and vocals. Lyle has stated that he writes on a daily basis, and many lyrics come from a large number of fragments he keeps stored in Evernote. Most of the remaining instrumentation is digital, but on occasion songs (including most with saxophone and guitar solos) will at first have digital instruments that are then outsourced to other musicians to play live on the track. Thomas Edinger has been the primary saxophone player for The Midnight's releases, and McEwan's brother Oliver has frequently played bass for the band as well.
For live performances, various setups have been used by the band. Lyle stated that the Spring 2019 tour utilized an Ableton rig, with McEwan using an SPD SX sampling pad and MIDI controller. Lyle ran his guitars through a Kemper profiling amp, and he also used an OP1 for certain synth moments and pads.
1000
The Midnight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been too long since the last time I did right
Last year was rough, trying to keep walking the line
I searched for answers in a hundred bottles of wine
-
I walk alone into the desert, that’s how Iearned to hold the pain
That way I learned to warm me up with my own bad company
Girl watch your step, I live a game that you don’t wanna play
But I feel deep when you smile at me
You might be the key to set me free
-
(chorus)
Would you open your eyes to see my deepest secrets?
Devil lives in me
Yeah devil lives in me
I just beg you please, to
Help me to find the key to once again be free
To once again be free
-
I said take a good look around me baby, thats the way I roll
It’s a violent wind that comes from me
And at least this you should know
But you seem to carry in your bag a thousand loaded guns
And I think you have the guts to shoot me
And I deserve it more than anyone
-
(chorus)
Would you open your eyes to see my deepest secrets?
Devil lives in me
Yeah devil lives in me
I just beg you please, to
Help me to find the key to once again be free
To once again be free
In the first verse, the lyrics convey a sense of remorse and self-reflection. The singer acknowledges that it has been a long time since they last did something right and that the previous year was difficult for them as they tried to stay on the right path. They admit to seeking solace and searching for answers in alcohol, perhaps indicating a troubled period in their life. They express their despair by spending nights begging for a sign, suggesting a desire for guidance or redemption.
The second verse describes how the singer has learned to cope with pain by isolating themselves in the desert, metaphorically representing their emotional state. They have become accustomed to relying on their own company, even if it is not the healthiest. The lines "Girl watch your step, I live a game that you don't wanna play" imply that the singer has a life filled with challenges and risks, cautioning the other person to be careful in getting involved with them. Despite their guardedness, the singer admits to feeling deeply when the other person smiles at them, suggesting a glimmer of hope and vulnerability. They see a possibility for this person to be the key to their freedom, indicating a longing for a positive change in their life.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's plea for the other person to open their eyes and truly see the singer's innermost secrets. The line "Devil lives in me" suggests that the singer may feel haunted or burdened by their own flaws and mistakes. They desperately seek the help of this person to find the key that will enable them to be free again, perhaps from the darkness or inner turmoil they are experiencing.
In the final verse, the singer warns the other person to take a closer look at who they are. They admit to having a destructive and turbulent nature, described as a violent wind. The singer acknowledges that the other person seems to carry their own "loaded guns" or emotional baggage, indicating that they are aware of the potential harm they may inflict upon each other. However, despite recognizing the danger, the singer believes that the other person has the courage to confront and punish them if necessary, even feeling that they deserve it more than anyone else.
Overall, these lyrics delve into themes of regret, longing for redemption, and the potential for salvation through a connection with someone else. The singer openly acknowledges their flaws, desires forgiveness, and yearns for a chance to be free from their past.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been too long since the last time I did right
It has been a significant amount of time since I last made a moral decision.
Last year was rough, trying to keep walking the line
The previous year was difficult as I struggled to maintain a righteous path.
I searched for answers in a hundred bottles of wine
I sought solace and solutions by consuming numerous bottles of wine.
I spent some nights asking for a goddamn sign
During certain nights, I pleaded for a clear indication or guidance.
I walk alone into the desert, that’s how I learned to hold the pain
I ventured into solitude and faced emotional distress, which taught me resilience.
That way I learned to warm me up with my own bad company
In this process, I discovered how to find comfort in my own flawed existence.
Girl watch your step, I live a game that you don’t wanna play
Listen carefully, I am engaged in a dangerous lifestyle that you should avoid.
But I feel deep when you smile at me
However, your smile has a profound impact on my emotions.
You might be the key to set me free
There is a possibility that you hold the solution to liberate me from my struggles.
Would you open your eyes to see my deepest secrets?
Could you please make an effort to acknowledge and understand my most hidden truths?
Devil lives in me
There is a dark and malevolent force within me.
Yeah devil lives in me
Indeed, this sinister presence resides within my being.
I just beg you please, to
I earnestly implore you to
Help me to find the key to once again be free
Assist me in discovering the crucial element that will restore my freedom.
I said take a good look around me baby, that's the way I roll
I want you to carefully observe my surroundings, as it reflects my way of life.
It’s a violent wind that comes from me
I emit a forceful and turbulent energy.
And at least this you should know
At the very least, I want you to be aware of this fact.
But you seem to carry in your bag a thousand loaded guns
However, it appears that you possess a multitude of menacing weapons.
And I think you have the guts to shoot me
Moreover, I believe you possess the boldness to inflict harm upon me.
And I deserve it more than anyone
I acknowledge that I am more deserving of such retribution than anyone else.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Victor Rossano
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DevoutFollowerofYeshua
"Study to show yourselves approved UNTO GOD."
Great show David and Jon
Keep studying mishpocha...
Keep studying
and teach what you learn to those who have ears to hear,
heart's that seek Yeshua haMashiach for HE IS THE ONLY TRUTH
and minds that allow the healing touching of Adonai.
Shalom
💕
@biddibee3526
On the lighter side, I guess I can be thankful that I never paid much attention to what was taught in school because now my brains aren’t full of fake junk. 😂
@swamplight79
Amen
It is better to know nothing than to know only lies.
@sherryblanton2029
Yes... I agree with Both of you! I didn't fall in love with History until some time after I graduated, married, had children... and I'd Surely rather know nothing but a bucket full of lies!
I'm So Thankful to GOD for The Midnight Ride and Every Affiliated Person I've Found Because of These Two Men!
@tarheel4wd
Same here!
@stolenjunk
How many brains do you have?😂
@lauragalindo8391
Oh me too.. I don’t remember one word of the school era.. 🧐🤪🤣
@Keturah53
@ the 41 min mark, Jon hit the nail on head when he said that basically, no one knows where we are at in this history timeline.
(Every one has an opinion. )
@marybernstein6498
I generally cannot stay up late enough to watch it but I sure love watching the next day!
@JCSAXON
It always feels special to listen together live but I always catch up on the road, in a parking lot or in slumber & I’m sure glad to
@michelletecklenburg5950
When I discovered your channel Midnight Ride in 2018, I knew I hit the jackpot! Much appreciate your teachings, and the effort you all put in to bring truth. Love and God bless from South Africa! ❤️🇿🇦