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.
Memories
The Midnight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sneaking out before mom and dad
Turning on that little TV
We can watch whatever we want
Oh, I want you to know
That I never let you go
Everywhere that I know
Is a shadow of where you've grown
Thinking of the things to share
Like did you know that I got married
Graduated college and I grew out my hair
And I want you to know
That I never let you go
Everywhere that I know
Is a shadow of where you've grown
The Midnight's song "Memories" is a commentary on humankind's tendency to forget the atrocities and hardships of history. The lyrics reference various historical events and groups, such as the conquistadors in Mexico, the Belgians in the Congo, and the Raj in British India. It highlights how we often have a "short memory" when it comes to these events and quickly forget about them.
The song's chorus emphasizes this point with the repeated phrase "short memory," and the lyrics also bring attention to more recent events, such as the destruction of Cambodia and the silence surrounding the bombing of Hiroshima. The song criticizes the modern world's focus on luxury and comfort, citing the sight of hotels by the Nile and the designated Hilton style as examples.
In the second verse, the lyrics mention a small man in Afghanistan and a watch dog in a nervous land, alluding to the struggles faced by people in war-torn areas. The final lines of the song urge listeners to remember history and learn from it, rather than simply repeating the same mistakes over and over again.
Line by Line Meaning
Conquistador of Mexico, the Zulu and the Navaho
People of different cultures and backgrounds that were conquered, oppressed, and colonized.
The Belgians in the Congo short memory
The atrocities committed by the Belgians in the Congo, which were quickly forgotten or ignored.
Plantation in Virginia, the Raj in British India
Exploitative systems of slavery, indentured servitude, and colonialism.
The deadline in South Africa short memory
The oppressive laws and policies of apartheid in South Africa, which were not fully addressed or addressed too late.
The story of El Salvador, the silence of Hiroshima
The horrific and tragic events that occurred in El Salvador and Hiroshima, which were either silenced or forgotten.
Destruction of Cambodia short memory
The genocide and destruction of Cambodia, which was not fully recognized or understood by the international community.
Short memory, must have a, short memory
The tendency of people to forget or ignore the past, especially when it comes to atrocities or injustices.
The sight of hotels by the Nile, the designated Hilton style
The stark contrast between the luxurious life of tourists and the poverty of the local people.
With running water specially bought short memory
The superficiality of providing aid or charity that does not fully address the root causes of poverty and inequality.
A smallish man Afghanistan, a watch dog in a nervous land
The experience of being an outsider or foreigner in a place of conflict or unease.
They're only there to lend a hand short memory
The superficiality of providing aid or charity that does not fully address the root causes of conflict or unease.
Wake up in sweat at dead of night
The anxiety, fear, and trauma experienced by those who have lived through conflict or violence.
And in the tents new rifles hey short memory
The continuation of violence and war, as new generations are taught to fight and kill.
If you read the history books you'll see the same things happen again and again
The cyclical nature of history, as the same patterns of conquest, colonization, oppression, and conflict repeat themselves.
Repeat repeat short memory they've all got it
The idea that people continue to forget or ignore the past, even when it is repeated before their eyes.
When are we going to play it again
The desire to break the cycle of history and create a better future.
Got a short, got a short, got a short, got a short
The repetition of the phrase 'got a short' as a reminder of the need to have a short memory in order to forget the past.
They've got a short must have a short they've got a short aah
The repetition of the phrase 'they've got a short' emphasizes the pervasive nature of short memory and the need to overcome it.
Short memory, they've got a.
The final repetition of the phrase 'short memory' as a reminder of the constantly recurring problem that plagues humanity.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Brennen Hammer, Caden Hammer, Samuel Stadin, Tanner Jensen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
施旻秀
Everything is clear in the rear view mirror
The coast highway and the golden hour
Only love
Nothing was lost
Everything fits when you tell your story
The blurry portraits in the halls of former lovers
Gone
But nothing was lost
[Chorus]
You'll always be a part of me
You gave me a song to sing
Dancing in your room
Innocent and true
Elvis tattoo on your shoulder
We'll know better when we're older
You'll always be a part of me
Some wounds will always sting
Forever in full bloom
Barely twenty two
Summer days are growing colder
We'll know better when we're older
[Verse 2]
All of this was planned when the world was started
The red blood hearts
The final word was never said
I'm tossing in my bed
[Climb]
But everything is clear in the rear view mirror
When nothing is left
The lights of evening round us shine pink and silver skies
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[Chorus]
You'll always be a part of me
You gave me a song to sing
Dancing in your room
Innocent and true
Elvis tattoo on your shoulder
We'll know better when we're older
You'll always be a part of me
Some wounds will always sting
Forever in full bloom
Barely twenty two
Summer days are growing colder
We'll know better when we're older
Neuro Weaver
LYRICS:
Everything is clear in the rear view mirror
The coast highway and the golden hour
Only love
Nothing was lost
Everything fits when you tell your story
The blurry portraits in the halls of former
Lovers
Gone
But nothing was lost
You'll always be a part of me
You gave me a song to sing
Dancing in your room
Innocent and true
Elvis tattoo on your shoulder
We'll know better when we're older
You'll always be a part of me
Some wounds will always sting
Forever in full bloom
Barely twenty two
Summer days are growing colder
We'll know better when we're older
All of this was planned when the world was Started
The red blood hearts
The final word was never said
I'm tossing in my bed
But everything is clear in the rear view mirror
When nothing is left
The lights of evening round us shine pink and Silver skies
You'll always be a part of me
You gave me a song to sing
Dancing in your room
Innocent and true
Elvis tattoo on your shoulder
We'll know better when we're older
You'll always be a part of me
Some wounds will always sting
Forever in full bloom
Barely twenty two
Summer days are growing colder
We'll know better when we're older
Billyboy Rocker Walks Under Silver WInter Skies
I turned 22 in 1987, and this song would have fit perfectly into that decade, I kinda wish it had been available to listen to back then because it would have helped a generation of guys and girls looking for their way in the world. Thanks for singing along, and let me know how this song is influencing your life if you have the time. Now that I'm older, I do know better!! 🙂 Thanks for reading and singing along! Peace, SWS
[Verse 1]
Everything is clear in the rear view mirror
The coast highway and the golden hour
Only love
Nothing was lost
Everything fits when you tell your story
The blurry portraits in the halls of former lovers
Gone
But nothing was lost
[Chorus]
You'll always be a part of me
You gave me a song to sing
Dancing in your room
Innocent and true
Elvis tattoo on your shoulder
We'll know better when we're older
You'll always be a part of me
Some wounds will always sting
Forever in full bloom
Barely twenty two
Summer days are growing colder
We'll know better when we're older
[Verse 2]
All of this was planned when the world was started
The red blood hearts
The final word was never said
I'm tossing in my bed
[Climb]
But everything is clear in the rear view mirror
When nothing is left
The lights of evening round us shine pink and silver skies
[Chorus]
You'll always be a part of me
You gave me a song to sing
Dancing in your room
Innocent and true
Elvis tattoo on your shoulder
We'll know better when we're older
You'll always be a part of me
Some wounds will always sting
Forever in full bloom
Barely twenty two
Summer days are growing colder
We'll know better when we're older
Davide Di Lena
[Verse 1]
Everything is clear in the rear view mirror
The coast highway and the golden hour
Only love
Nothing was lost
Everything fits when you tell your story
The blurry portraits in the halls of former lovers
Gone
But nothing was lost
[Chorus]
You'll always be a part of me
You gave me a song to sing
Dancing in your room
Innocent and true
Elvis tattoo on your shoulder
We'll know better when we're older
You'll always be a part of me
Some wounds will always sting
Forever in full bloom
Barely twenty two
Summer days are growing colder
We'll know better when we're older
[Verse 2]
All of this was planned when the world was started
The red blood hearts
The final word was never said
I'm tossing in my bed
[Climb]
But everything is clear in the rear view mirror
When nothing is left
The lights of evening round us shine pink and silver skies
[Chorus]
You'll always be a part of me
You gave me a song to sing
Dancing in your room
Innocent and true
Elvis tattoo on your shoulder
We'll know better when we're older
You'll always be a part of me
Some wounds will always sting
Forever in full bloom
Barely twenty two
Summer days are growing colder
We'll know better when we're older
LoveSickWorld
The 80s is weirdly universally nostalgic. Like for some reason that whole era captured the essence of nostalgia and no matter when you where born you feel it.
odvedokikrema
nostalgia for the future, to be precise...
Craig Povey
I was born in 1970, the 70's and 80's were magical!
Razors Edg3
I was lucky enough to live through the 80's as a teen. We explored, we ventured, and we lived!! Not hiding behind a phone 24/7. No mobile phone, meant social interaction was a necessity rather than an option. People forget how to "talk" to someone bcuz they rely on their fingers. The more we distance ourselves from each other, we make it that much easier for A.I. to dominate us.
Arko
In the 80s, they were nostalgic for the 50s.
trustyaxe
@Craig Povey I was lucky enough to be born in April of 70. I would not trade the 70's or 80's for anything on Earth. Was a magical time to grow up. I'll go to my grave missing and looking back fondly on those eras.
Flavio Manfredi Lebrao
I was a teenager in the 80’s - best time ever - In a way I’m still there - never left and this song transports me back like a drug. First girl, first love first kiss - no BS social media, no politically correct - just fun... great song - tears roll down...
HetaHxC
Definitely true mate !!! Best times ever !
azamat s
Grazia !!!
naveen p
you guys are the luckiest...i envy you bro ..BS social media, no politically correct - just fun... great song