After Midnight (Chappell Roan song)

Last updated

"After Midnight"
Song by Chappell Roan
from the album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
ReleasedSeptember 22, 2023 (2023-09-22)
Studio Amusement (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length3:24
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Dan Nigro
Audio
"After Midnight" on YouTube

"After Midnight" is a song by the American singer and songwriter Chappell Roan from her debut studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2023). It became available as the album's third track on September 22, 2023, when it was released by Island and Amusement Records. Roan wrote "After Midnight" with Casey Smith and the song's producer, Dan Nigro. It is a pop, disco, neo-disco, dance, and funk track with lyrics about nightlife and Roan's experience with bisexuality.

Contents

Some music critics praised "After Midnight" as catchy and for its sexually provocative lyrics, while others considered it unremarkable. Commercially, it reached number 22 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart in the United States, where it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Roan included the song in the set lists of her second concert tour, the Midwest Princess Tour (2023–2024), and Olivia Rodrigo's Guts World Tour in 2024. She performed it at several music festivals throughout 2024.

Background and release

Chappell Roan left her hometown in Willard, Missouri, and moved to Los Angeles in 2018 to pursue a career as a singer; she met the producer Dan Nigro there and they started collaborating by the end of 2020. [1] In 2023, he launched his Island Records imprint, Amusement Records, and signed her as the first artist on the label. [1] [2] Nigro produced every track on Roan's debut studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess ; it was inspired by her life in both the Western United States and the Midwestern United States. [1] [3] "After Midnight" is the third track on the album, which was released on September 22, 2023. [4] [5] In the United States, the song reached number 22 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart dated August 24, 2024. [6] "After Midnight" received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America on December 13, 2024. [7]

Production and composition

Roan wrote "After Midnight" with Nigro and Casey Smith; the former two contributed background vocals. Nigro recorded the track at Amusement Studios in Los Angeles, assisted by Austen Healey. Serban Ghenea provided audio mixing, while Bryce Bordone worked as the mixing engineer. "After Midnight" was mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound Studios in Edgewater, New Jersey. Nigro additionally provided drum programming and played guitar, keyboards, percussion, and synthesizers. Musicians who played instruments include Sterling Laws (drums) and Jared Solomon (bass guitar). [5]

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"After Midnight"
A sample of "After Midnight", a pop, disco, neo-disco, dance, and funk song that features Roan's whistle register.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"After Midnight" is three minutes and twenty-four seconds long. [8] Music journalists identified it as a sensual disco, [9] [10] neo-disco, [11] dance, [12] funk, [13] and pop song, [14] where Roan sings in the whistle register. [15] She was inspired to write the track after moving to Los Angeles at the age of eighteen and realizing that "everything good happens after midnight", which opposes her father's saying: "Nothing good happens after midnight". [16] "After Midnight" explores themes of sexuality, desire, nightlife, bar fights, [17] and being a "freak in the club". [9]

The lyrics explore Roan's experience with bisexuality; she sings in the refrain, "I kinda wanna kiss your girlfriend if you don't mind", before changing the lyrics later in the song to "I kinda wanna kiss your boyfriend if you don't mind". [17] [18] The first verse mentions her internalized shame regarding her sexuality during her adolescence ("My mama said, 'Nothing good happens/ When it's late and you're dancing alone'/ She's in my head saying, 'It's not attractive/ Wearing that dress and red lipstick'"). In the pre-chorus, she expresses her freedom and comfort with her sexuality, despite her family's thoughts on it ("This is what I wanted/ This is what I like/ I've been a good, good girl for a long time/ But baby, I like flirting/ A lover by my side"). [19] [20]

Critical reception

Music critics praised "After Midnight" for its memorable tune and sexually-charged lyrics. Adam Maidment of the Manchester Evening News described it as a "chant-worthy anthem", [21] and Neil Z. Yeung from AllMusic praised the song as catchy for its funky production and heavy use of synthesizers. [13] Eric Bennett of Paste considered it one of the tracks that emphasize Roan's brilliance while delivering sexually suggestive lyrics, [17] and Elise Shafer of Variety similarly highlighted the sexually provocative lyrics. [3] In a less enthusiastic review, Olivia Horn of Pitchfork considered "After Midnight" unremarkable, but appreciated Roan's whistle tones as "lovely". [15] Hannah Dobrogosz from BuzzFeed dubbed it "flirty, fun, energetic, freaky, and cheeky", even though she did not personally connect with the song; she placed it last in her ranking of the album's fourteen tracks. [22]

Live performances

Roan included "After Midnight" in the set list of her second headlining concert tour, the Midwest Princess Tour (2023–2024). [23] [24] She performed it as part of her set list for Olivia Rodrigo's Guts World Tour in 2024, where she served as an opening act. [11] She additionally played the track at several music festivals throughout 2024, including Boston Calling, [25] Bonnaroo, [26] Lollapalooza, [27] Osheaga, [28] Outside Lands, [29] and Austin City Limits. [12]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. [5]

Chart

Chart performance for "After Midnight"
Chart (2024)Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [6] 22

Certification

Certifications for "After Midnight"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [7] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As Tall as Lions</span> American rock band

As Tall as Lions were an indie rock band during the 2000s from Long Island, New York.

<i>Coco</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Colbie Caillat

Coco is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. The album was released on July 10, 2007, in the United States through Universal Republic. After her prominence on MySpace - following several shots at singing competitions - the singer enlisted English producer Mikal Blue to help her bringing her sound to the forefront, thus recording what would be her debut album. Critics were ambivalent towards the album, with some praising its melodies and her charm throughout the record, while others criticized its clichéd lyrics and monotonous sound.

A guilty pleasure is something one enjoys despite feeling guilt for it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Nigro</span> American record producer

Daniel Leonard Nigro is an American record producer and songwriter. He was the lead vocalist and guitarist of the indie rock band As Tall as Lions. Nigro has produced, written, and co-written songs for Sky Ferreira, Joe Jonas, Kylie Minogue, Caroline Polachek, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Dermot Kennedy, Maisie Peters, and Conan Gray.

<i>Sour</i> (album) 2021 album by Olivia Rodrigo

Sour is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Olivia Rodrigo. It was released on May 21, 2021, by Geffen Records. The album was written by Rodrigo and producer Dan Nigro. Originally planned as an EP, Sour was expanded into a full-length album following the viral success of her debut single, "Drivers License".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chappell Roan</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1998)

Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, known professionally as Chappell Roan, is an American singer and songwriter. She is known for her camp and drag queen-influenced aesthetic. She first signed to Atlantic Records and released her debut EP, School Nights (2017). After being dropped from the label, she released a series of independent singles including "Pink Pony Club" which facilitated Roan's rise to prominence. She opened for Olivia Rodrigo on the Sour Tour and Guts World Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pink Pony Club</span> 2020 single by Chappell Roan

"Pink Pony Club" is a song by the American singer and songwriter Chappell Roan. It was released through Atlantic Records on April 3, 2020, and later included on her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2023). Written by Roan and Daniel Nigro, "Pink Pony Club" is a synth-pop, dance-pop, power pop, and disco track that describes the story of a woman moving to Southern California from her home state of Tennessee, taking a job as a dancer at a gay strip club in West Hollywood despite her mother's wishes.

<i>Midnights</i> 2022 studio album by Taylor Swift

Midnights is the tenth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on October 21, 2022, by Republic Records. She conceived it as a concept album about nocturnal ruminations inspired by her sleepless nights. The confessional lyrics explore emotions such as regret, self-criticism, fantasies, heartbreak and infatuation, with allusions to her personal life and public image.

<i>The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess</i> 2023 studio album by Chappell Roan

The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is the debut album by the American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan. The album was released on September 22, 2023, through Amusement Records, an imprint of Island Records. It was met with widespread acclaim and praised by music critics for its bold and emotionally charged nature. Reviews also complimented the album's engaging blend of sharp songwriting, dynamic pop elements, and Roan's vocal performance. Several publications ranked it on multiple year-end best albums lists for 2023. The album earned Roan her first Grammy Award nominations at the 67th annual ceremony, including for Album of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Kink Is Karma</span> 2022 single by Chappell Roan

"My Kink Is Karma" is a song by the American singer Chappell Roan, released on May 6, 2022 as the second single from her debut studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2023). It was produced by Dan Nigro. The song became a sleeper hit in 2024, as one of Roan's seven simultaneously charting songs on the Billboard Hot 100, along with "Good Luck, Babe!", "Casual", "Hot to Go!", "Red Wine Supernova", "Pink Pony Club", and "Femininomenon".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femininomenon</span> 2022 single by Chappell Roan

"Femininomenon" is a song by the American singer Chappell Roan, released on August 12, 2022 as the third single from her debut studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2023). Produced by Dan Nigro and Mike Wise, “Femininomenon” is an alt-pop, dance-pop, and new wave track. The song became a sleeper hit in 2024, as one of Roan's seven simultaneously charting songs on the Billboard Hot 100, along with "Good Luck, Babe!", "Casual", "Red Wine Supernova", "Hot to Go!", "Pink Pony Club", and "My Kink Is Karma".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Wine Supernova</span> 2023 single by Chappell Roan

"Red Wine Supernova" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan. It was released on May 19, 2023 as the sixth single from Roan's debut studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. The song began charting in April 2024, following the success of "Good Luck, Babe!".

“Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” is a single by American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan. It was released by Amusement and Island Records on September 22, 2023, as the eighth and final single from Roan’s debut studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. A 1980s-inspired Synth-pop, Hi-NRG, dance, electro, electropop, electroclash, and house tune, it narrates Roan’s dislike for dating men and want for a “super graphic ultra modern girl” like her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot to Go!</span> 2023 song by Chappell Roan

"Hot to Go!" is a song by the American singer and songwriter Chappell Roan, from her debut studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2023). It was released through Island Records and Amusement Records on August 11, 2023, as the album's seventh single. She co-wrote the track with its producer Dan Nigro. "Hot to Go!" is a synth-pop, electropop, indie pop, and dance-pop track that takes influence from new wave in its instrumentation and vocal inflections. Described as a queer cheer song similar to the Village People's "Y.M.C.A.", it was inspired by Roan's childhood dream of wanting to become a cheerleader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Luck, Babe!</span> 2024 single by Chappell Roan

"Good Luck, Babe!" is a song recorded by the American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan. It was released as a standalone single on April 5, 2024, through Amusement Records and Island Records. She wrote the song with Justin Tranter and the song's producer Dan Nigro. A synth-pop, baroque pop, soft rock, new wave, and dance power ballad, "Good Luck, Babe!" references a compulsory heterosexual relationship, describing a queer woman trying to deny her romantic feelings for Roan and for women in general. It received acclaim from music critics, who included it on several mid-year and year-end rankings of the best songs of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Midwest Princess Tour</span> 2023–2024 concert tour by Chappell Roan

The Midwest Princess Tour was a concert tour by American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan, launched in support of her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Comprising eighty-nine shows, it started on September 20, 2023, at Gillioz Theatre in Springfield, Missouri, and concluded on October 13, 2024, at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casual (song)</span> 2022 single by Chappell Roan

"Casual" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan. It was released as a single on October 28, 2022 independently. It was later released as part of Roan's debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, through Amusement Records and Island Records as the fourth single from the album. She wrote the song along with Dan Nigro and Morgan St. Jean and Nigro is credited as producer along with Ryan Linvill. It is a country-influenced downtempo, dream pop, pop rock, and rock ballad about casual dating, in particular a situationship between Roan and a love interest who is unwilling to commit.

Ramisha Sattar is an American visual artist and animator best known for her work as creative director for singer-songwriter Chappell Roan. She is also the director of design for astrologer Chani Nicholas's application CHANI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naked in Manhattan</span> 2022 single by Chappell Roan

"Naked in Manhattan" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan. It was released independently on February 18, 2022. It would later become the lead single from Roan's debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, through Amusement Records and Island Records. “Naked in Manhattan” was also released as a B-side to Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” on December 16, 2024. She wrote the song with Dan Nigro and Skyler Stonestreet, with Dan Nigro on production. It is a dance, dance-pop, disco-pop, and synth-pop song about having a crush on a girl for the first time, drawing comparisons with the feeling of New York City.

"The Giver" is a song by American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan, her first in the country music genre. It was first performed live during her debut appearance as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live (SNL) on November 2, 2024. Written by Roan and produced by Dan Nigro, the song features traditional country instrumentation, including a fiddle, and explores themes of queer storytelling through subversion of conventional country lyrical norms.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Grady, Constance (August 21, 2024). "Chappell Roan Spent 7 Years Becoming an Overnight Success" . Vox . Archived from the original on July 20, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  2. ↑ Havens, Lyndsey (June 9, 2023). "Inside Daniel Nigro's New Imprint Amusement Records". Billboard . Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Shafer, Elise (September 22, 2023). "Confessions of a Midwest Princess: How Chappell Roan's Debut Album Arose From the 'Deep Pits of Hell' to Become a 'Dream Come True'". Variety . Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  4. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (June 27, 2024). "The Rise (and Rise) of a Midwest Princess: 5 Numbers That Capture Chappell Roan's Current Explosion". Billboard . Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Roan, Chappell (2023). The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (CD liner notes). Island Records, Amusement Records. 602458321340.
  6. 1 2 "Chappell Roan Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  7. 1 2 "American single certifications – Chappell Roan – After Midnight". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  8. ↑ Roan, Chappell (September 22, 2023). "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Franzini, Sam (September 21, 2023). "Chappell Roan Confronts Modern Issues with Huge Pop Smashes on The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess". The Line of Best Fit . Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  10. ↑ Daw, Stephen (September 22, 2023). "Queer Jams of the Week: New Music from Troye Sivan, 070 Shake, Chappell Roan & More". Billboard . Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Willman, Chris (February 24, 2024). "Olivia Rodrigo Is the Actual Rock Star We've Needed in a Galvanizing 'Guts Tour' Opening: Concert Review". Variety . Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Kepner, Lily (October 6, 2024). "'Welcome to ACL'! Chappell Roan Draws in Massive Crowd to Zilker Park: Live Updates". Austin American-Statesman . Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  13. 1 2 Yeung, Neil Z. (September 22, 2023). "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  14. ↑ Loftin, Steven (September 22, 2023). "Chappell Roan - The Rise And Fall of a Midwest Princess". Dork . Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Horn, Olivia (September 27, 2023). "Chappell Roan: The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess Review". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  16. ↑ Prance, Sam (January 16, 2024). "Chappell Roan Breaks Down Every Song on The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess | Making the Album". Capital. Archived from the original on January 6, 2025. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  17. 1 2 3 Bennett, Eric (December 28, 2023). "Chappell Roan: No Album Left Behind: Chappell Roan Introduces Her Brazen, Theatrical Self on The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess". Paste . Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  18. ↑ Δημητροπουλος, Θοδωρης (July 20, 2024). "Ποια Ειναι Η Chappell Roan Και Πως Εκτιναχθηκε Στην Κορυφη Της Ποπ Σε Ενα Καλοκαιρι;" [Who Is Chappell Roan and How Did She Rise to the Top of Pop In One Summer?]. News 24/7  [ el ] (in Greek). Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  19. ↑ Forman, Bee (September 28, 2023). "Chappell Roan Is 'Hot to Go' in Her Debut Album". The Wesleyan Argus . Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  20. ↑ Beaster, Jillian; Herzing-Burkard, Livia (June 8, 2024). "The Rise of the Musician Chappell Roan". Shorewood Ripples . Archived from the original on July 20, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  21. ↑ Maidment, Adam (September 14, 2024). "Review: Chappell Roan at Manchester Academy Delivers Bold and Unapologetic Performance in Sold Out Show". Manchester Evening News . Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  22. ↑ Dobrogosz, Hannah (June 26, 2024). "Chappell Roan's The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess Album Has Literally No Skips, But I Attempted to Rank the Songs Anyway". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  23. ↑ Harrydass-Clark, Shaunelle (July 2, 2024). "Chappell Roan Is Taking the World by Storm, but Who Is She?". Glamour UK . Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  24. ↑ Brooks, Lian (September 20, 2024). "Chappell Roan's London Brixton Setlist, Support Act, Themes, Timings and More". Glamour UK . Archived from the original on September 20, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  25. ↑ Slane, Kevin; Jonas, Annie; DaPonte, Kristina; Alterisio, Heather (May 27, 2024). "Boston Calling 2024: Live Updates from the Festival". Boston.com . Archived from the original on November 1, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  26. ↑ Gibbs, Audrey; Latham, Angele (June 16, 2024). "Nurse-Clad Chappell Roan Heals Huge Bonnaroo Crowd with Her Pop Anthems. See the Show's Top Moments, Setlist". The Tennessean . Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  27. ↑ Hopkins, Earl (August 1, 2024). "5 Best Moments From Chappell Roan's Jam-Packed Set at Lollapalooza 2024". Billboard . Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  28. ↑ Decter, Rosie Long (August 5, 2024). "Chappell Roan Was the Clear Star of Osheaga 2024 — Despite Playing in the Afternoon". Billboard Canada . Archived from the original on August 9, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  29. ↑ Kurp, Josh (August 12, 2024). "Chappell Roan Calls Out the VIPs at Her Outside Lands Set for Being 'Too Cool' to Have Fun". Uproxx . Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.