'Round Midnight
Thelonious Monk Lyrics


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It begins to tell
'Round midnight, midnight
I do pretty well, till after sundown
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
But it really gets bad
'Round midnight

Memories always start 'round midnight
Haven't got the heart to stand those memories
When my heart is still with you
And ol' midnight knows it, too
When a quarrel we had needs mending
Does it mean that our love is ending
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart
And I'm out of my mind

Let our hearts take wings'
'Round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing
For your returning
Till our love is safe and sound
And old midnight comes around
Feelin' sad




Really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight

Overall Meaning

Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight" portrays a feeling of sadness and nostalgia that arises around midnight. The song begins by expressing the singer's ability to manage their emotions until after sundown, as suppertime approaches, they begin to feel melancholic. However, the most poignant memories begin to arise 'round midnight, and the singer is unable to handle these emotions. Memories of a love that has ended due to quarrels come to mind, and the singer questions if the end of these quarrels means the end of their love. The singer is desperately missing their lover, and even though they are out of their heart, they are not out of their mind.


The singer then requests their lover's return by urging their heart to take flight 'round midnight and asks the angels to sing for their return to their embrace. Until their love is safe and secure, the emptiness and sadness the singer feels around midnight will continue to set in, driving them to near madness. Through "Round Midnight," Monk captures the mood and emotions of midnight and highlights the power and memories that come to light during that time of the day.


Line by Line Meaning

It begins to tell
The story starts


'Round midnight, midnight
When it's twelve o'clock at night


I do pretty well, till after sundown
I'm okay until the sun goes down


Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
When it's time to eat, I feel blue


But it really gets bad
But things really go downhill


'Round midnight
At midnight


Memories always start 'round midnight
This is when memories flood back


Haven't got the heart to stand those memories
These memories are too painful to bear


When my heart is still with you
When I still love you deeply


And ol' midnight knows it, too
And even midnight is aware of my pain


When a quarrel we had needs mending
When we need to make up after a fight


Does it mean that our love is ending
Is this a sign that we're breaking up?


Darlin' I need you, lately I find
My beloved, I need you now more than ever


You're out of my heart
I'm no longer in love with you


And I'm out of my mind
And I'm going crazy without you


Let our hearts take wings'
Let's fall deeply in love again


'Round midnight, midnight
When it's twelve o'clock at night


Let the angels sing
May the angels rejoice


For your returning
When you come back to me


Till our love is safe and sound
Until our love is secure


And old midnight comes around
And when midnight comes again


Feelin' sad
I'll still be feeling blue


Really gets bad
Things will get even worse


Round, Round, Round Midnight
Around and around we go, at midnight




Lyrics ยฉ Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cootie Williams, Bernard D Hanighen, Theolonious S Monk

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@idolewensberg3843

It begins to tell,
'round midnight, midnight.
I do pretty well, till after sundown,
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad;
But it really gets bad,
'round midnight.

Memories always start 'round midnight
Haven't got the heart to stand those memories,
When my heart is still with you,
And ol' midnight knows it, too.
When a quarrel we had needs mending,
Does it mean that our love is ending.

Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart,
And I'm out of my mind.
Let our hearts take wings'
'round midnight, midnight



All comments from YouTube:

@stewartmcintosh8924

I saw Monk performing live at Manchester Town Hall in 1964 when I was 16 years old and to this day it is the best concert I have ever attended. Although my musical taste these days tends to be classical and opera nothing can beat the true greats. Parker ,Monk ,Coltrane and Davis.

@mauriciomoreno3975

Te odio... jaJajAjaJAja ;o)

@stevensam17

I too was born in '48 & was fortunate enough to hear Monk, Trane & so many other great artists in SF. Too young to get in the Workshop we did experience the intensity brought forth with memories of speaking to Trane & following Monk up Broadway in his quirky way. Cherished memories.

@brianruskin9241

The ultimate in elegant genius. Simply wonderful.

@jasonpfinch

Born in 1970 and very jealous!

@ogaiht182

and MONK! hate u 2 kkkkkkk

7 More Replies...

@lesliecolonello9320

Monk in the morning is a great way to start your day.

@07klutch

Grateful for both.

@centraal22

Never thought of that before, and I do like Monk. Next time I have a Crown Royal ill do it.

@doIlookhi

Especially with Charlie Rouse, so fluent in Monkspeak.

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