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J.J. Cale — Midnight in Memphis
Album: Shades
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2047









Released: 1981
Length: 4:22
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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It's midnight in Memphis
and all the boys are out tonight.
Oh, midnight in Memphis,
but my true love is not in sight.
The neon's glowing,
but I just don't see the light.

I'm following my footsteps
trying to find myself a friend.
Oh, baby! Following my footsteps
trying to see where they might end.
I'm tryin' to break these blues,
but I can't even get them to bend.

Oh, midnight in Memphis.
Well, ya take me away.
Midnight in Memphis.
It's a long, long time
before the day.

Runnin' down on Beale Street.
Can you hear that engine roar?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Runnin' down on Beale Street.
There's a girl in every door.
Yeah, it don't matter what you got,
they're asking me for more.
Play it for me one time, boys.

I heard the river risin',
risin' up over my head.
Yeah, heard the river risin',
and this is what it said:
"I don't need no live ones;
I just take care of the dead."

Oh, midnight in Memphis.
Take me, take me away.
Midnight in Memphis.
It's a long, long time
before the day.

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, midnight in Memphis.
Midnight in Memphis.
Midnight in Memphis.
It's a long, long time
before the day,
before the day
Comments (83)add comment
 misterbearbaby wrote:

I was with a friend at a concert by another fabulous guitarist (...Santana) and my friend says to me: "That's pure jesus pouring from that guitar."  I'm still unclear if he meant "genius"  or "jesus" but I'm taking that to the grave, man. Ditto for that sweet JJ guitar work-- pure jesus!  

Maybe he said "Jesus, JJ is a genius!".   ; ) 
Posted 4 weeks ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 joejennings wrote:



LOL!  Too true!   


here!
Posted 1 month ago by andredise    [ Reply ]
Nice little tune that just romps along.  :)
Posted 10 months ago by macadavy    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:

Man oh man, I need some whiskey and  some one to drink  with.   




LOL!  Too true!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 springof63 wrote:

Liking this a lot.
Sounds kind of a bit like a 'previously unreleased' track off The Blues Brothers soundtrack album.
Nothing wrong with that!


You're right! I can also hear how Mark Knopfler was influenced by JJ. 
Posted 1 year ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Liking this a lot.
Sounds kind of a bit like a 'previously unreleased' track off The Blues Brothers soundtrack album.
Nothing wrong with that!
Posted 1 year ago by springof63    [ Reply ]
I can play piano so well, on my desk with no keys.
Posted 1 year ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
soooooooo smoooooth. 
Posted 1 year ago by carmelmik    [ Reply ]
 Ok_Sobriquet wrote:

I love the Tulsa Sound from JJ Cale and of course Leon Russell.

Before them, one of my all-time favorites made Tulsa his home base, Bob Wills with his Texas Playboys. Pre-WWII, Bob was the man, hugely popular and hugely influential. Bob moved to Tulsa when he made an enemy of the governor of Texas.

---

Ray Benson did a musical called 'A Ride With Bob' that was really wonderful. The setup is Ray on his tour bus. The driver is a bit mysterious - the ghost of Bob Wills.
Saw it a couple times, always amazing. First time was at the Paramount, and the guest artists - fitted into a 'radio broadcast' segment - were the Quebe Sisters. The oldest was about 15 then. They play violins fiddles and sing,  in perfect harmony. If you like Western Swing they are well worth a listen.
c.

Posted 2 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Wonderful tight simplicity.
Oh dear I've already given it a 9.
Posted 2 years ago by BuellRider    [ Reply ]
 joelbb wrote:

Love it!  But who's in his band?  Memphis artists?


There are apparently a lot of famed studio musicians playing on this album, including several members of the "Wrecking Crew": Leon Russell, Carol Kaye, Hal Blaine, and many other "notables"
Posted 2 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Is this an extra track on a reissue? Don't remember this on the original. 

But it's great!
Posted 2 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
Holy Crap, is that good.
Posted 2 years ago by ddbz    [ Reply ]
I love the Tulsa Sound from JJ Cale and of course Leon Russell.

Before them, one of my all-time favorites made Tulsa his home base, Bob Wills with his Texas Playboys. Pre-WWII, Bob was the man, hugely popular and hugely influential. Bob moved to Tulsa when he made an enemy of the governor of Texas.

Remember what Waylon Jennings sang- 
I grew up on music that we called western swing It don't matter who's in Austin, Bob Wills is still the king

Lord I can still remember, the way things were back then
In spite of all the hard times, I'd live it all again
To hear the Texas Playboys and Tommy Duncan sing
Makes me proud to be from Texas where Bob Wills is still the king

You can hear the Grand Ol' Opry in Nashville Tennessee
It's the home of country music, on that we all agree
But when you cross that ol' Red River hoss that just don't mean a thing
 'Cause once you're down in Texas, Bob Wills is still the king
Posted 2 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
Smooooooooooooooooooth
Posted 3 years ago by Aaronosteo    [ Reply ]
This song appears on several compilations but is not on Shades.
Posted 3 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Just so dang cool and laid back. Ummm hummm.
Posted 4 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
Love it!  But who's in his band?  Memphis artists?
Posted 4 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
 swamitommi wrote:
mmmm... all groove baby.
 
Yes, indeed!  Good stuff. 
Posted 4 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Yeah!
Posted 4 years ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
Tickling the ivories and everything else.
Posted 5 years ago by ubuntourist    [ Reply ]
Man oh man, I need some whiskey and  some one to drink  with.   
Posted 5 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
mmmm... all groove baby.
Posted 5 years ago by swamitommi    [ Reply ]
 nomnol wrote:

You can't and that's all there is to it.

 
I was with a friend at a concert by another fabulous guitarist (...Santana) and my friend says to me: "That's pure jesus pouring from that guitar."  I'm still unclear if he meant "genius"  or "jesus" but I'm taking that to the grave, man. Ditto for that sweet JJ guitar work-- pure jesus!  
Posted 6 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
https://yumurtaliekmek.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/tembel-hayvan_110515.jpg
Sloths dig JJ!
Posted 7 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:
Should be followed by 'Cause I Love You by Carla & Rufus. 

 
or before or any other time
whadda ya say Bill? 
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 NinaGreg wrote:
how can you not love JJ Cale. Smooth groove.

 
You can't and that's all there is to it.
Posted 7 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
how can you not love JJ Cale. Smooth groove.
Posted 8 years ago by NinaGreg    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
Nothing quike like a good strumpet. Err, make a that a strutting trumpet.

 
Try Can's Ethnological Forgery Series No. 36, for that matter. On Unlimited Edition, the one after Mother Upduff.
Posted 9 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
 Pedro1874 wrote:

That is the great thing about RP and Bill and Rebecca's amazing choice of music - how many times this happens! Then you click on the title to find the info and read the comments and then - you are running late!!! {#Roflol}

 
Yes, you are exactly right on that, I find it happens to me all the time when listening to RP.  Cheers.
Posted 9 years ago by Spud    [ Reply ]
 TimNH wrote:
Was listening to RP in the background when it dawned on me that I had stopped what I was doing just so that could listen to this song. Caught my attention for sure!
 
That is the great thing about RP and Bill and Rebecca's amazing choice of music - how many times this happens! Then you click on the title to find the info and read the comments and then - you are running late!!! {#Roflol}
Posted 9 years ago by Pedro1874    [ Reply ]
I like the piano solo especially.
Posted 9 years ago by 2020sk    [ Reply ]
Should be followed by 'Cause I Love You by Carla & Rufus. 
Posted 9 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Wow, first time I hear it, I like it!! (and seems that - want u all 2 know {#Laughing} )
Posted 10 years ago by ShloEmi    [ Reply ]
Was listening to RP in the background when it dawned on me that I had stopped what I was doing just so that could listen to this song. Caught my attention for sure!
Posted 10 years ago by TimNH    [ Reply ]
Ever since J.J.'s album Naturally came out on vinyl and 8-track in the 70's, been a huge fan of his laid back music. This blues tune was a change from the style of Naturally. But it's hard to not like a quality rendition of the blues.
Posted 10 years ago by Kokoloco53    [ Reply ]
{#Clap}
Posted 10 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
{#Daisy} .... a very solid "Outstanding"
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Kinda gives me a Hunger for....Green Onions......
Posted 10 years ago by crzhors    [ Reply ]
 jt1 wrote:
I really like this.
Concentrating on work and noticed that my foot was tapping away by itself.


 
Exact same thing just happened to me.  Good Stuff{#Jump}
Posted 10 years ago by teleskialaska    [ Reply ]
Sweeet!  this is a super soundin' team     Thanks for this treat RP
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
R.I.P  J.J. !

 
Dahnyul wrote:
JJ has the Rhythm my friend!

 jt1 wrote:
I really like this.
Concentrating on work and noticed that my foot was tapping away by itself.

 



 


Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
R.I.P. JJ
Posted 11 years ago by clickfaster    [ Reply ]
Rest In Peace, my friend,, thy music shall live on.
Posted 11 years ago by marko86    [ Reply ]
today is willie dixon's bday, RP. hint hint ;)
Posted 11 years ago by CrackerjaxATX    [ Reply ]
big stud Romeo Tuma wrote:
I was born in Memphis...  Elvis Presley was my biological father...
 

I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...  Elvis Presley is our father...

love this music...

 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
ho hum. this is SO boring and repetitive

 
Oh dear! I think it's wonderful!!!!!!!!!! A classic. Sorry that you can't feel it.
Posted 11 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Buried my aunt in the cotton fields across from Memphis last week. She would have loved it. I love the (lack of) production, get a real feel for the communication between musicians in a studio. Yeah, music is now made by FTPing tracks to Timbaland for assembly. Back in the old days, they actually played together, y'know.
 
They still do. It's called "live music." Sorry 'bout your aunt. Anyone who would have loved this, loved life and everything about it.
Posted 11 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Been there, done that.
Posted 12 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
JJ has the Rhythm my friend!

 jt1 wrote:
I really like this.
Concentrating on work and noticed that my foot was tapping away by itself.

 


Posted 12 years ago by Dahnyul    [ Reply ]
I really like this.
Concentrating on work and noticed that my foot was tapping away by itself.

Posted 12 years ago by jt1    [ Reply ]
Man, the 12-bar riff is Bill Doggett's "Night Train"—slowed down just a tad. Apparently the "riff" has a rich history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Train_%28composition%29. I love this stuff. Could (and did) play it all night.
Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Nothing quike like a good strumpet. Err, make a that a strutting trumpet.
Posted 13 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Buried my aunt in the cotton fields across from Memphis last week. She would have loved it. I love the (lack of) production, get a real feel for the communication between musicians in a studio. Yeah, music is now made by FTPing tracks to Timbaland for assembly. Back in the old days, they actually played together, y'know.
Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:

. . . This is great struttin' blues, in the same class in my mind as Peter Gunn. Love it to bits :). . . .

 
"Struttin' blues"—that's a very good way to put it.

Posted 13 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
romeotuma wrote:
I was born in Memphis... Elvis Presley was my biological father...
We might be related. One of the better trumpet players I've heard on a studio cut.

Posted 13 years ago by Blaggart    [ Reply ]
Excellent music to lick stamps by... Mmmmm... love that glue...
Posted 13 years ago by SpamNRice    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
ho hum. this is SO boring and repetitive
 

I love it. Find it excellent. It swings.
Posted 14 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
ho hum. this is SO boring and repetitive
 
I just looked at your "highest rated songs" list. 

May I be the first to say hahahahahaha.

What is it you Brits say? Oh wait, I remember: Sod off ya pikey bastard 
Posted 14 years ago by icemang    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
ho hum. this is SO boring and repetitive
 
The underlying 12-bar is repetitive, but that's blues for you. The 'icing on the cake' is pretty varied, lots of different instruments. This is great struttin' blues, in the same class in my mind as Peter Gunn. Love it to bits :). 8 from the Nottingham jury.

Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
This is sweet...
Posted 14 years ago by gshrieves    [ Reply ]
Oh yea man, this is what I'm talkin bout!{#Bananapiano}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Ahhhhhh.....{#Music}
Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Nice!!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
ho hum. this is SO boring and repetitive
 

{#Rolleyes}
Posted 14 years ago by Hairfarmer    [ Reply ]
ho hum. this is SO boring and repetitive
Posted 15 years ago by AdyMiles    [ Reply ]
 Mari wrote:
Woo!
 

Yeeeeahhh
Posted 15 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
You may think you've heard this song before and that is the genius of J.J. Cale - it's original and it's old fashioned blues - not as easy a pair to combine as you may think.
Posted 16 years ago by ppak    [ Reply ]
I love JJ. This song however, pretty mundane. Not doing it for me. Check out his song magnolia. Or check out Beck's version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RdI49DTwcI&feature=related
Posted 16 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
The shades of the blues brothers.
Posted 17 years ago by BWGunner    [ Reply ]
JJ rocks!!!!
Posted 17 years ago by ulibcn    [ Reply ]
Sic 'em Boy!
Posted 17 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
mariamey wrote:
With this song I had to put on mute :( .. hopefully it is over soon !
so you miss sax and piano. btw: it's over.
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
Fits in the Doc Bagby "Sylvia's Callin'" groove... Very Memphis, even down to the outta tune 88.
Posted 17 years ago by fretman    [ Reply ]
With this song I had to put on mute :( .. hopefully it is over soon !
Posted 17 years ago by mariamey    [ Reply ]
what a sax!!!
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
Good 'ol honky tonk blues - tap those toes to the twelve-bar :)
Posted 17 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
I too have been there since the beginning and this song hardy rates a four...the sax solo alone takes it to an eight, though I concur that this is not exemplary jjcale: too damn jumpy, too happy, too predictable, and he stays in time the whole song :0
Posted 17 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
Woo!
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
This one's a dilemma for me ... I've been a JJ fan since the beginning, but this track is pretty generic. 4.
Posted 17 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
Quite good!
Posted 17 years ago by Almo80    [ Reply ]