Midnight Confessions

Last updated
"Midnight Confessions"
The Grass Roots - Midnight Confessions single.JPG
Single by The Grass Roots
from the album Golden Grass
B-side "Who Will You Be Tomorrow"
ReleasedJune 1968 (1968-06) [1]
Recorded1968 in Los Angeles, California
Genre
Length2:42
Label ABC/Dunhill
Songwriter(s) Lou Josie
Producer(s) Steve Barri
The Grass Roots singles chronology
"Feelings"
(1968)		"Midnight Confessions"
(1968)		"Bella Linda"
(1968)

"Midnight Confessions" is a song written by Lou T. Josie and originally performed by the Ever-Green Blues. American rock band The Grass Roots later made it famous when they released it as a single in 1968. Though never released on any of the group's studio albums, it was on their first compilation album, Golden Grass , and has since been included on many of their other compilations.

Contents

The Grass Roots version became the band's biggest charting hit on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the Top 5 of both the U.S. and Canadian pop singles charts. [4]

Background and recording

The lyrics describe a man who is infatuated with a married woman, knows he can never have her, and is relegated to confessing his love for her audibly, but alone. The original recording of "Midnight Confessions" was a demo by the Evergreen Blues Band, whose manager – Lou Josie – wrote the song. The demo contained a horn section and caught the attention of record producer/engineer Steve Barri, who was looking to produce a song for the Grass Roots that was a "West Coast" version of a Motown-style production. The Grass Roots track was produced/engineered by Steve Barri with the horn section's arrangement by Jimmie Haskell. The instrumentation was recorded by the group of LA studio musicians known as The Wrecking Crew, as were many hits by the Grass Roots. [5] [6] Rob Grill and Warren Entner shared lead vocals, with Grill singing the verses and Entner, the choruses.

Personnel

Per the Wrecking Crew's Facebook page. [7]

The Grass Roots

Additional musicians

Release and reception

"Midnight Confessions" was released as a single by the ABC/Dunhill record label in late June 1968. [1] It was the Grass Roots' first to feature a horn section and was therefore a departure from the group's previous singles; the band members worried that this would preclude it from becoming a hit. [6] However, it was well received and became their biggest hit in the United States, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 2, 1968, [4] and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, with sales of over one million units, on December 3, 1968. [9] The single also did well in Canada, peaking at #4 on the RPM 100 singles chart. [10]

Chart performance

Notable cover versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. F. Sloan</span> American singer and songwriter (1945–2015)

Philip Gary "Flip" Sloan, known professionally as P. F. Sloan, was an American singer and songwriter. During the mid-1960s, he wrote, performed, and produced many Billboard Top 20 hits for artists such as Barry McGuire, the Searchers, Jan and Dean, Herman's Hermits, Johnny Rivers, the Grass Roots, the Turtles, and the Mamas and the Papas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Grass Roots</span> American rock band

The Grass Roots are an American rock band that charted frequently between 1965 and 1975. The band was originally the creation of Lou Adler and songwriting duo P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri. In their career, they achieved two gold albums and two gold singles, and charted singles on the Billboard Hot 100 a total of 21 times. Among their charting singles, they achieved Top 10 three times, Top 20 six times and Top 40 14 times. They have sold over 20 million records worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creed Bratton</span> American actor and musician

Creed Bratton is an American actor and musician. A former member of the rock band the Grass Roots, he is best known for playing a fictionalized version of himself on the NBC sitcom The Office, which earned him five nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Coonce</span> American drummer (1946–2011)

Erik Michael Coonce was the drummer for American rock band The Grass Roots from 1966 to 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Grill</span> American singer and bassist (1943–2011)

Robert Frank Grill was an American musician and songwriter, best known as lead singer and bassist of the rock and roll group The Grass Roots. Though not a founding member, Grill was the longest-serving member of the band prior to his death in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Pull Your Love</span> 1971 single by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds

"Don't Pull Your Love" is the debut single by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds which became a top ten hit single in 1971. The song was written by Brian Potter and Dennis Lambert.

<i>Lets Live for Today</i> (album) 1967 studio album by the Grass Roots

Let's Live for Today is the second studio album by the American rock band the Grass Roots, released in July 1967 by Dunhill Records. A new group was brought in for this album which included Creed Bratton, Rick Coonce, Warren Entner and Rob Grill. It features their first top-ten hit by the same name, "Let's Live for Today". The bulk of the compositions are by group creators Sloan and Barri, but the new group was allowed to compose four songs and was given some input in the studio instrumentation. The other A and B side singles released were "Depressed Feeling", "Things I Should Have Said" b/w "Tip of My Tongue", and "Wake Up, Wake Up" b/w "No Exit". The album charted at No. 75.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Live for Today (song)</span> 1967 single by The Grass Roots

"Let's Live for Today" is a song written by David "Shel" Shapiro and Italian lyricist Mogol, with additional English lyrics provided by Michael Julien. It was first recorded, with Italian lyrics, under the title of "Piangi con me" by the English band the Rokes in 1966. Later, when "Piangi con me" was to be released in the United Kingdom, publisher Dick James Music requested that staff writer Julien compose English lyrics for the song. Julien composed new lyrics, rather than translating from the Italian, and it was his input that transformed "Piangi con me" into "Let's Live for Today".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren Entner</span> American musician

Warren Entner is an American singer, songwriter, organist and guitarist for the rock and roll band The Grass Roots. He subsequently became a manager for several successful heavy metal/rock groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Provisor</span> American musician (born 1943)

Dennis Provisor is an American musician and songwriter. He recorded on several different labels, including 20th Century Fox and Valiant, under the name of Denny Provisor. He released some soulful singles as a solo artist. He later joined the groups The Hook, Blue Rose, and The Grass Roots. Provisor is a lead singer, keyboard player and songwriter.

<i>Their 16 Greatest Hits</i> 1971 greatest hits album by the Grass Roots

Their 16 Greatest Hits is the third compilation album by the American rock band the Grass Roots. It was originally released by Dunhill Records in September 1971 shortly after the success of "Sooner or Later" earlier that year. The album also included many other hit singles that were released from 1966 to 1971. The album was released on both stereo LP & tape as well as in Quadraphonic Sound on both LP & tape. This album was the only Quadraphonic album released by The Grass Roots.

<i>Where Were You When I Needed You</i> 1966 studio album by The Grass Roots

Where Were You When I Needed You is the debut studio album by the American pop band the Grass Roots, released in October 1966 by Dunhill Records. Most of the album is performed by the songwriter/producer duo of P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri. Some of the album features members of a San Francisco band that became the first Grass Roots. The members who recorded are vocalist Willie Fulton and drummer Joel Larson. The A and B side singles released are "Mr. Jones ", "You're a Lonely Girl", "Where Were You When I Needed You", "(These Are) Bad Times", "Only When You're Lonely", "This Is What I Was Made For", Tip of My Tongue" and "Look Out Girl".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temptation Eyes</span> 1970 single by The Grass Roots

"Temptation Eyes" is a 1970 hit song by The Grass Roots. It was released on their second compilation album, More Golden Grass.

<i>More Golden Grass</i> 1970 compilation album by the Grass Roots

More Golden Grass is the second compilation album by the American rock band the Grass Roots, released in September 1970 by Dunhill Records. It includes the No. 15 charting single "Temptation Eyes", the No. 61 charting single "Come On And Say It", and the No. 35 charting single "Baby Hold On". The album charted at No. 152.

<i>Feelings</i> (The Grass Roots album) 1968 studio album by the Grass Roots

Feelings is the third studio album by the American rock band the Grass Roots, released in February 1968 by Dunhill Records. It contained many songs composed by the group's members and studio performances of the musician's instrumentation. The album was intended to take the group into a heavier psychedelic direction with their music. The A- and B-side singles released from the album were "Melody For You" b/w "Hey Friend", "Feelings" b/w "Here's Where You Belong", "Who Will You Be Tomorrow", "Hot Bright Lights", "All Good Things Come to an End" and "You and Love Are the Same". Midway during this run, "Midnight Confessions" was released as an A-side and became the group's highest charting single.

<i>Lovin Things</i> 1969 studio album by the Grass Roots

Lovin' Things is the fourth studio album by American rock group the Grass Roots. The album was originally released by Dunhill Records in 1969. The album charted at No. 73. It contained only two songs composed by the group. The album was intended to take the group into a soulful direction that was being rewarded by charting singles. The A- and B-side singles released were "Lovin' Things", "The River Is Wide", "(You Gotta) Live for Love" and "Fly Me to Havana". At the end of this run, "I'd Wait a Million Years" was released as an A side and became the group's next charting single, appearing on their next album, Leaving It All Behind.

<i>Golden Grass</i> 1968 greatest hits album by the Grass Roots

Golden Grass is the first greatest hits album by the American rock band the Grass Roots, released in November 1968 by Dunhill Records. The LP's release in the fall of 1968 followed the success of the group's highest-charting single, "Midnight Confessions". It featured a song written by Carole King and Toni Stern titled "Lady Pleasure", which was previously unreleased by the group, as well as a new single, "Bella Linda", which was originally written by the Italian songwriting duo of Lucio Battisti and Mogol. The Grass Roots' version of the song, which was given English lyrics by Barry Gross and Steve Barri, charted at No. 28. Golden Grass is the highest charting Grass Roots album at #25, and was certified gold by the RIAA in 1970.

<i>Leaving It All Behind</i> 1969 studio album by the Grass Roots

Leaving It All Behind is the fifth studio album by the American rock band the Grass Roots, released in November 1969 by Dunhill Records. Following the departure of Creed Bratton, who left in April 1969, seasoned musician Dennis Provisor joined the group, solidifying the new direction of the band. Terry Furlong and Brian Naughton became alternating touring guitarists for the group. In a return to grace for the group member composers, it contained six songs written by the group. The album was intended to move the group further in a soulful direction that was being rewarded by more charting singles. The A- and B-side singles released were "I'd Wait a Million Years", "Heaven Knows" b/w "Don't Remind Me", and "Walking Through The Country" b/w "Truck Drivin' Man". At the end of this run "Something's Comin' Over Me" was released as a B-side to "Come On And Say It", a charting single written by the group that appeared on the band's next compilation album, More Golden Grass. The album charted at No. 36, making it the group's highest-charting studio album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sooner or Later (The Grass Roots song)</span> Song by American rock band The Grass Roots

"Sooner or Later" is a 1971 hit song by The Grass Roots. It was released as a single and put on their third compilation album, Their 16 Greatest Hits. It reached number 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their third and last top ten hit.

<i>Move Along</i> (The Grass Roots album) 1972 studio album by The Grass Roots

Move Along is the sixth studio album by the American rock group the Grass Roots. The album was released in 1972 and charted at No. 86. It was the last of the group's albums to chart on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart. The album marked the departures of longtime drummer Rick Coonce and keyboardist Dennis Provisor from the group, though Provisor still contributed to the album both as a performer (uncredited) and as a composer. The A- and B-side singles released were "Two Divided by Love", "Glory Bound" b/w "Only One", "The Runway" b/w "Move Along", and "Anyway the Wind Blows" b/w "Monday Love". Later, the song "Someone to Love" was released as the B side to the song "Love Is What You Make It", which appeared on the band's following album, Alotta Mileage.

References

  1. 1 2 Ackerman, Paul, ed. (June 29, 1968). "Spotlight Singles: Top 60 Pop Spotlight". Billboard . Vol. 80, no. 26. p. 95. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  2. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. The Grass Roots - The Complete Original Dunhill/ABC Hit Singles (2014) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  3. ↑ Eder, Bruce. "The Grass Roots | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-05-06. "Midnight Confessions" showed the strong influence of Motown, and the R&B flavor of the song stuck with Barri and the band.
  4. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2010). "Chapter 1: The Artists". The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (9th ed.). Billboard Books. p. 276. ISBN   978-0-8230-8554-5.
  5. ↑ Hartman, Kent (2012). The Wrecking Crew . New York: St. Martin's Press. pp.  169–172. ISBN   978-0-312-61974-9.
  6. 1 2 Everett, Todd (1996). All Time Greatest Hits (CD liner). The Grass Roots. MCA Records. MCAMD-11467.
  7. ↑ "The Wrecking Crew". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  8. ↑ "Royalty Check - Midnight Confessions". Carol Kaye.
  9. ↑ Gold & Platinum Searchable Database Archived 2007-06-26 at the Wayback Machine . Recording Industry Association of America. Type in "Grass Roots" under Artist to see search results.
  10. ↑ "The RPM 100" (PHP). RPM Weekly . 10 (8): 5. October 28, 1968. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  12. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989" . Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  13. ↑ [Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2002]
  14. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2012-10-20.
  15. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1968/Top 100 Songs of 1968". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  16. ↑ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1968". cashboxmagazine.com. 1968-12-28. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  17. ↑ Joel Whitburn's Bubbling Under the Billboard Hot 100 1959-2004
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.