Rock, soul and blues fans will want to check out the new single from The Romantics founder/songwriter Mike Skill. The cover of “In The Midnight Hour” pays tribute to the legendary Wilson Pickett and Steve Cropper. Teaming up with a number of well-known musicians for the project, it’s worth adding to your playlists if you like what you hear.
Skill expertly wears a lot of hats on the song by handling guitar, bass, and vocal duties. Kevin Rankin from A Flock of Seagulls and Animotion is on percussion. Rounding out the talented lineup is Jason Hartless on drums and Mick Hartless-Skill on vocals and organ. Chuck Alkazian (Pop Evil, Soundgarden, Tantric) produced the track at Pearl Sound Studios (Eminem, Filter).
History Behind the Song
“In The Midnight Hour” was written and recorded at Stax Studios in Memphis in 1965 by Pickett and Cropper according to Songfacts. As for the new version, Skill recalled hearing a version a few years after the original’s release by a band called The Wanted and wanting to recreate that party mood. He had only been playing the guitar for about a year at that point and it became a lasting memory.
The Romantics formed in the late 1970s and are best known for the smash hits “What I Like About You” and “Talking In Your Sleep“. The original lineup included vocalist/rhythm guitarist Wally Palmar and Skill on lead guitar and vocals. Rounding out the rhythm section consisted of bassist Rich Cole and vocalist/drummer Jimmy Marnios.
Stay tuned for more live performance announcements. Coming up on April 21st you can check Skill performing at the Walter Lure birthday bash. Tickets are still available for the show at Bowery Electric in New York City. Lure is known for his time performing with Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers.
Connect with Mike Skill on his website or follow along on Instagram and Twitter.
“In The Midnight Hour” Lyrics as written by Wilson Pickett
I’m gonna wait ’til the midnight hour
That’s when my love come tumbling down
I’m gonna wait ’til the midnight hour
When there’s no one else around
I’m gonna take you, girl, and hold you
And do all things I told you, in the midnight hour
Yes I am, oh, yes I am
One more thing I just wanna say right here
I’m gonna wait ’til the stars come out
And see that twinkle in your eyes
I’m gonna wait ’til the midnight hour
That’s when my love begins to shine
You’re the only girl I know
That really love me so, in the midnight hour
Oh yeah, in the midnight hour
Yeah, alright, play it for me one time now
Alright, you know what?
I’m gonna hold you in my arms, just you and I
Oh yeah, in the midnight hour
Oh baby, in the midnight hour
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