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Patsy Cline — Walkin' After Midnight
Album: 12 Greatest Hits
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2179









Released: 1957
Length: 2:30
Plays (last 30 days): 3
I go out walkin' after midnight
Out in the moonlight, just like we used to do
I'm always walkin' after midnight
Searchin' for you

I walk for miles along the highway
Well, that's just my way of sayin' I love you
I'm always walkin' after midnight
Searchin' for you

I stop to see a weepin' willow
Cryin' on his pillow
Maybe he's cryin' for me
And as the skies turn gloomy
Night winds whisper to me
I'm lonesome as I can be

I go out walkin' after midnight
Out in the starlight, just hoping you may be
Somewhere a-walkin' after midnight
Searchin' for me

I stop to see a weepin' willow
Cryin' on his pillow
Maybe he's cryin' for me
And as the skies turn gloomy
Night winds whisper to me
I'm lonesome as I can be

I go out walkin' after midnight
Out in the starlight, just hoping you may be
Somewhere a-walkin' after midnight
Searchin' for me
Comments (169)add comment
The musicianship here is off the charts. No auto-tune, no special effects, everything done live, no over-dubbing. The inflections in Patsy's voice are heart-felt.
 cc_rider wrote:
Check out the online version of 'KGID', a little outfit based in Giddings TX. The broadcast station is now something else, but their online signal is pure country. The good kind.
c.




Thank You  for the info!  I WILL check it out!
Really loving both of the last two tunes (previous was Truth #2 performed by The Chicks). Womens' high-pitched voices against a skillfully picked upright bass.
 joejennings wrote:



I despise current "Pop Country" music! A few Patsy Cline tunes will never hurt anybody Open up your mind! RP has a great mix of genres! No need for a "country channel"! That is what AM/FM broadcast radio is for! Unfortunately, they play "Achey Breaky heart" instead of Patsy Cline and country swing!
Check out the online version of 'KGID', a little outfit based in Giddings TX. The broadcast station is now something else, but their online signal is pure country. The good kind.
c.

 kenmo wrote:

Is this turning into a country station? Not to dis Patsy... a great singer if there ever was one. But this kinda falls outside of "eclectic, intelligent rock" IMHO.

Beethoven and Mozart fall pretty far outside that description as well. Yet Bill insists on playing them too, dang his hide.
c.

 kenmo wrote:
Maybe start a country channel for these folks, Bill?
 
{#Clap}
 kenmo wrote:





Maybe start a country channel for these folks, Bill?



I despise current "Pop Country" music! A few Patsy Cline tunes will never hurt anybody Open up your mind! RP has a great mix of genres! No need for a "country channel"! That is what AM/FM broadcast radio is for! Unfortunately, they play "Achey Breaky heart" instead of Patsy Cline and country swing!
 joejennings wrote:

PLEASE PLAY MORE PATSY CLINE TUNES!!!   Thank You!!






Maybe start a country channel for these folks, Bill?
Is this turning into a country station? Not to dis Patsy... a great singer if there ever was one. But this kinda falls outside of "eclectic, intelligent rock" IMHO.
 diannemck56 wrote:
I don't listen to country music at all but Patsy Cline does make me stop and listen. 


I've had her songs memorized since wayyyy before I could drive and I don't listen to country music either.
 Ok_Sobriquet wrote:

My google fu found this at wikipedia-

"Don Helms, formerly of Hank Williams' band the Drifting Cowboys, played the steel guitar."



Thank You for the info!!   The steel guitar kicks ass!!
 meatmike wrote:

There was a time in my youth when I wouldn’t have given this song a second thought. Now I appreciate it as pure perfection. I guess maturity does that for you.




Same Here!!
PLEASE PLAY MORE PATSY CLINE TUNES!!!   Thank You!!
 dwlangham wrote:



According to Wikipedia: "Don Helms, formerly of Hank Williams' band the Drifting Cowboys, played the steel guitar."



My Fav pedal steel is on "Together Again" by Buck. ( Tom Brumley.)

GODLIKE!!! ICONIC!!!
A rare 10! First time I can't recall hearing Patsy on Radio Paradise! Thanks Bill!
Whenever I hear this song I think of part in Starkville by the Indigo Girls where she runs into the night. Feels like two similar moments drawn from the same emotions separated by several decades.
The Inimitable Patsy Line! Mmm, mmm, mmm!!
There was a time in my youth when I wouldn’t have given this song a second thought. Now I appreciate it as pure perfection. I guess maturity does that for you.
 Akazungu wrote:

To me, Patsy is the finest female voice in country music.



yes and let's not forget Emmylou Harris and Selby Lynn
 wildmanfromSB wrote:

does anyone know who plays the steel guitar in this tune?  some nameless session player or someone we might recognize?  




According to Wikipedia: "Don Helms, formerly of Hank Williams' band the Drifting Cowboys, played the steel guitar."
 The_Pest wrote:

Pasty is a goddess


So is Patsy!  ; )
 wildmanfromSB wrote:
does anyone know who plays the steel guitar in this tune?  some nameless session player or someone we might recognize?  
 
My google fu found this at wikipedia-

"Don Helms, formerly of Hank Williams' band the Drifting Cowboys, played the steel guitar."
does anyone know who plays the steel guitar in this tune?  some nameless session player or someone we might recognize?  
Memories of Thursday nights after my shift at Hermanos...always Patsy when I finished and we sat around enjoying a shot of amazing tequila - this is my favorite Patsy tune!!
She just makes me stop and listen and smile. For that, I am grateful.
I used to put this on for my first son to get him to sleep, love it and I ain't no country fan but her voice and the rhythm and the story... I always think of Cash when this is on for some reason
 VH1 wrote:
Walkin' after midnight, yeah in those days that was probably possible.

Nowadays one would risk being shot at, robbed, carjacked, raped, stabbed and generally being set upon! Better to stay home! {#War}I'm always stalking' after midnight
Searchin' for you

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
 

This is one of those songs that I can say that my Grandfather and my tastes could agree on with no doubt or disagreement.  It is pretty awesome.  What I wouldn't give to be driving down the road with him again and listening to this. 
To me this is her finest. Love this song!
This woman of tremendous talent always amazes me. I love so many of her songs, they're mystic somehow to me. And her writing is raw, the way I want to write.
 I LOVE Patsy Cline. And so do my goats :)
 baylees wrote:
sultry sexy so smooth so easy 
 
So sweeet!
sultry sexy so smooth so easy 
Tried to visit the site of her plane crash a few years ago.  Couldn't get there; it lies a good way down a steep and rough dirt/gravel road.  Too much risk on a motorcycle built for highway cruising.

It's at 3R6Q+HG Camden, Tennessee, or a street address of 2082 Mt Carmel Rd, Camden, TN 38320 if you want to try it.  Turn onto Sweet Dreams Way.
Sweet words of sweet, by-gone days... before cell phones.
This version is good also:

Cowboy Junkies
Stone cold classic.
Patsy was blazing trails for the many female country artists to follow, including Dolly, Reba, Emmylou, all the way up to Kacey Musgraves.
Long Live                                                                                                                           Radio Paradise
Rating to me this is a very solid                                                                          8- Most Excellent
I don't listen to country music at all but Patsy Cline does make me stop and listen. 
 Solanus wrote:
It is interesting that, had this very specific recording been released today for the first time, we'd barely acknowledge it. Patsy had a stellar voice, but the song is quite simple and the accompaniment is nothing special, yet the song rates an 8.2. The song that followed this was The Laugh Of Recognition by Over The Rhine that has a similar vibe, a very solid singer, better lyrics, and better backing performances, but only merits a 7.

I think Patsy is great, but it is kind of unfair how high the bar has become for present-day acts.
 
I get your point but am not sure I agree, at least using myself as a sole datapoint. I'm not a fan of country and don't have a history of listening to Cline, but stop and listen every time I hear her on RP. She just grabs me.
 Solanus wrote:
It is interesting that, had this very specific recording been released today for the first time, we'd barely acknowledge it. Patsy had a stellar voice, but the song is quite simple and the accompaniment is nothing special, yet the song rates an 8.2. The song that followed this was The Laugh Of Recognition by Over The Rhine that has a similar vibe, a very solid singer, better lyrics, and better backing performances, but only merits a 7.

I think Patsy is great, but it is kind of unfair how high the bar has become for present-day acts.
 
You're making a somewhat unfair comparison:  a recording and an artist from over sixty years ago with a contemporary recording and recording artist, and comparing those relatively ancient recording techniques and styles with those of today. 
  The Over The Rhine tune you were referring to can also be considered relatively "simple" - using standard, diatonic chords in E minor.  They often use traditional chord progressions, instrumentation, and arrangements - which is fine of course, there's no reason not to.   Very little of the accompaniment I've heard from them could be described as "special".
  It obviously varies how "high the bar has become" for contemporary artists; someone like Taylor Swift or Katie Perry has likely made more money with one recording than Patsy Cline had made in her entire career.
 Solanus wrote:
It is interesting that, had this very specific recording been released today for the first time, we'd barely acknowledge it. Patsy had a stellar voice, but the song is quite simple and the accompaniment is nothing special, yet the song rates an 8.2. The song that followed this was The Laugh Of Recognition by Over The Rhine that has a similar vibe, a very solid singer, better lyrics, and better backing performances, but only merits a 7.

I think Patsy is great, but it is kind of unfair how high the bar has become for present-day acts.
 

Indeed, I agree.  Probably a lot of nostalgia factors into it too, many folks believe that older is better, especially from big acts. There's a few times I caught myself rating higher simply because it was a track from a band that meant something to me, even though it was a clunker. 
It is interesting that, had this very specific recording been released today for the first time, we'd barely acknowledge it. Patsy had a stellar voice, but the song is quite simple and the accompaniment is nothing special, yet the song rates an 8.2. The song that followed this was The Laugh Of Recognition by Over The Rhine that has a similar vibe, a very solid singer, better lyrics, and better backing performances, but only merits a 7.

I think Patsy is great, but it is kind of unfair how high the bar has become for present-day acts.
No one more "classic country" than our dear Patsy Cline.  She'll always get a "10" from me.
Please play Crazy sometime soon.... 
She was a class act and I heard her record company was wanting to get her to go mainstream with that big voice of her's
 Walrus_Gumbo wrote:

Agreed!
My Japanese cousin loves Hank Williams but he pronounces it Honku Wirriamsu .
He plays a mean guitar and can play almost anything Hank recorded but he sings the songs phonetically. He doesn't really know what the songs are saying. It's an absolute riot to hear him butcher "Jambalaya" {#Lol}{#Roflol}

   

Hey, many points to him for trying. {#Clap}{#Notworthy}  

So glad he likes the music. 


Highlowsel wrote:


LOL!  Well....I guess their revenge is.....picture this.....somewhere...in some skuzzy, smoke-filled, downtown Tokyo bar....at a different time and place....there was probably a conversation that went something like this....

"Grrrr....those round eyes!  They make fun of us for liking their music DO THEY!?!?  I know what we'll do!  We'll give 'em Karaoke!" 

Seems fair don't'cha think?  Heh!

Highlow
American Net'Zen

 


I thank the Japanese for finding a way to get drunk people to laugh at other drunk people without starting a fight. 
BTW: has anyone seen "Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories" on Netflix? Pretty good, I think.
 Walrus_Gumbo wrote:

Agreed!
My Japanese cousin loves Hank Williams but he pronounces it Honku Wirriamsu .
He plays a mean guitar and can play almost anything Hank recorded but he sings the songs phonetically. He doesn't really know what the songs are saying. It's an absolute riot to hear him butcher "Jambalaya" {#Lol}{#Roflol}

 

LOL!  Well....I guess their revenge is.....picture this.....somewhere...in some skuzzy, smoke-filled, downtown Tokyo bar....at a different time and place....there was probably a conversation that went something like this....

"Grrrr....those round eyes!  They make fun of us for liking their music DO THEY!?!?  I know what we'll do!  We'll give 'em Karaoke!" 

Seems fair don't'cha think?  Heh!

Highlow
American Net'Zen


Patsy!! {#Heartkiss}
 Skydog wrote:

she could have sung jazz if she wanted to

 
No shirt shitlock. I dont like country music but this woman ......{#Heartkiss}
 Akazungu wrote:
To me, Patsy is the finest female voice in country music.

 
she could have sung jazz if she wanted to
To me, Patsy is the finest female voice in country music.
{#Whisper}

Walkin' after midnight, yeah in those days that was probably possible.

Nowadays one would risk being shot at, robbed, carjacked, raped, stabbed and generally being set upon! Better to stay home! {#War}
Thanks for playing this! One of my favorites!
This song was released long before I was born yet, my oldest daughter and I are enjoying a beer and singing along. Thanks Bill & Rebecca!
do 'Sweet Dreams' Bill,.....thanx 4 the consideration
Fabulous! {#Cheers}
Very nice.
Yes!
Mesmerizing! Powerful! So incredibly immortal in its swaying, countrified twangy rhythms, like the pulse of life in a languid state of love
The best
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
What version is this? I thought it might be Beverley D'Angelo I don't think it's the same as the Patsy Cline I have...

 
 
Mine either, Scott. My version is a little faster. On a Greatest Hits. And she goes up higher on that last "for me." 
it doesn't get any better than Patsy if your talkin' country, she lived it.
{#Clap} 
 Umberdog wrote:

I agree.

 
Classic. Please play more.
 
What version is this? I thought it might be Beverley D'Angelo I don't think it's the same as the Patsy Cline I have...
 oldfart48 wrote:
more PATSY PLEASE, BILL
 
I agree.
a classic song, thanks Bill!
more PATSY PLEASE, BILL
 I see this picture and realize my mother looked like her. I know little about this singer.

Proclivities wrote:

I think they just wanted to make her look "mature" instead of like a young, "country girl", for her target audience - that photo was probably from an early, promotional 8"x10".  Unlike today, adults bought the overwhelming amount of records back then, not teenagers.  However, that is not the most flattering picture of her.  This photo's better:
patsy cline

 


 joelbb wrote:

You got that right, ziakut.  She's probably the best female country vocalist of all time.  If her career had gone on longer she'd have become a crossover star.  Those who don't believe that should listen to her sing, then to someone trying to cover her.  K. D. Laing on "Shadowland" was the only one who ever came close.  Linda Ronstadt can't even stand in her shadow.  How's about "Crazy", Bill?

 
I heard a great story about that recording session. Willie Nelson wrote the song, and played it in his, uh, 'unconventional' style. Ms.Cline came in to record it, and tried to do the song his way, with no success. She finally said 'let me try singing it my way' and, well, there may be no more perfect song than her version of 'Crazy'.

To top that, she had been in a bad accident before that session, and still had a cracked rib, so it really hurt to sing. But she stuck it out and produced something magical.
 grant wrote:
That gal could sing.
 
Yes she could.  And I submit she could swing as well.  This is still a finger snapper.  And I will echo joelbb's observation below, that k.d.laing's voice is magically close to Ms. Cline's.
That gal could sing.
And a very nice segue after Richard and Linda Thompson!
I don't know if I'll ever get tired of listening to this. :)
 ziakut wrote:
I love Patsy. Wish she were still around to have been able grace us with years of music. Well...I suppose we just have to be grateful that we had any music of hers still.
 
You got that right, ziakut.  She's probably the best female country vocalist of all time.  If her career had gone on longer she'd have become a crossover star.  Those who don't believe that should listen to her sing, then to someone trying to cover her.  K. D. Laing on "Shadowland" was the only one who ever came close.  Linda Ronstadt can't even stand in her shadow.  How's about "Crazy", Bill?
 johnjconn wrote:
Patsy died in 1963 in a plane crash at the age of 30. ( born in 32)
She looks at least 50 in this 1957 picture, which she was only 25ish.
Funny how in the old days, women wanted to look old.  
 
I think her "management" wanted to make her look "mature" instead of like a young, "country girl", for her target audience - that photo was probably from an early, promotional 8"x10".  Unlike today, adults bought the overwhelming amount of records back then, not teenagers.  However, that is not the most flattering picture of her.  This photo's better:
patsy cline
 Walrus_Gumbo wrote:

Agreed!
My Japanese cousin loves Hank Williams but he pronounces it Honku Wirriamsu .
He plays a mean guitar and can play almost anything Hank recorded but he sings the songs phonetically. He doesn't really know what the songs are saying. It's an absolute riot to hear him butcher "Jambalaya" {#Lol}{#Roflol}
 
What a great little commentary!  Thanks for the laughs! I can just hear your cousin now.{#Lol}{#Lol}{#Lol}
there could definitely be a bit more Patsy Cline in the mix

Now it seams clear to me what the leading voice of Vaya Con Dios was modelled after. And the musical style no less.


I love Patsy. Wish she were still around to have been able grace us with years of music. Well...I suppose we just have to be grateful that we had any music of hers still.
 johnjconn wrote:
Patsy died in 1963 in a plane crash at the age of 30. ( born in 32)
She looks at least 50 in this 1957 picture, which she was only 25ish.
Funny how in the old days, women wanted to look old. 

 
 
I know what you mean, but you're just asking for trouble to say that any woman WANTS to look old. It was a strange phenomenon. The baby boom. I am old enough to have witnessed that first hand, allbeit from a small child's perspective. But, you know, not all women in the 50's looked the same. Consider a contemporary, Marilyn Monroe.

 romeotuma wrote:


This song is soooo good for the feet...  love it...
 
Solid 10, right?
Patsy is one of the very few country artists I like.  Can't resist that voice.

Great Classic.

{#Whistle}


Oh, AWESOME! I haven't tuned in to RP in ages, but just did and this song had just started. HOORAY! My fave Patsy song!
Love this Virginia gal's singing!
My father-in-law was her doctor before she was famous and for a time after. In Winchester, VA. He has some autographed records from her. Love Patsy.
I'm not into country music at all, but I love this song.
Great. Thanks!
 chedak wrote:
I can't believe I'm sittin' here listenin' to Patsy Cline!  Ya'll are awesome!
 
++

Diversity in music is the best. 
 Blaggart wrote:
Yeah, I got the slang when I was ten, but thanks for assuming otherwise. "Great cheese", in most settings, is not a compliment when applied to music. I'll allow that not everybody has to like the incomparable and pioneering Cline. Since I have no problem puncturing the balloon full of stale air that early Dylan can sometimes be (Desolation Blues), I modify my statement to read "opinion" rather than "error". I beg the OP's pardon for undue harshness and yours if you routinely refer to music you like as great cheese.

 
  What the hell?

ptooey wrote:

Umm. No.

cracking Adj. Brilliant, wonderful. E.g."They gave a cracking performance last night and got a well deserved 5 minute standing ovation."
Adv.
An intensifier such as extremely, outstandingly. E.g."We had a cracking good time last night."


And the quote he used ("Cracking cheese, Gromit") is from the Aardman animation you referenced. It's Wallace expressing his approval. In other words, "The English dude" is saying that he likes the song.
Yeah, I got the slang when I was ten, but thanks for assuming otherwise. "Great cheese", in most settings, is not a compliment when applied to music. I'll allow that not everybody has to like the incomparable and pioneering Cline. Since I have no problem puncturing the balloon full of stale air that early Dylan can sometimes be (Desolation Blues), I modify my statement to read "opinion" rather than "error". I beg the OP's pardon for undue harshness and yours if you routinely refer to music you like as great cheese.

 Blaggart wrote:
Something lost, but has more to do with lack of historical reference and awareness of the musical DNA than language. The English dude is referring to Pasty Cline as schmaltz, cheese, saccharin, low lounge. Thinking that referring to an Aardman animation cliché will make his error hip. Sad.

 
Umm.  No.

cracking Adj. Brilliant, wonderful. E.g."They gave a cracking performance last night and got a well deserved 5 minute standing ovation."
Adv.
An intensifier such as extremely, outstandingly. E.g."We had a cracking good time last night."


And the quote he used ("Cracking cheese, Gromit") is from the Aardman animation you referenced.  It's Wallace expressing his approval. In other words, "The English dude" is saying that he likes the song.


Sometimes I love a "busy" song - one with five-part harmony and complicated guitar solos and maybe maracas and a cowbell, and lyrics that make my jaw drop and my breath leave my body.  Other times, I can just sit and grin when I hear a simple song with a beautiful vocal, an achingly-perfect background, and words that don't hurt my brain.

Patsy Cline is a classic.  And she can still make my jaw drop and the breath leave my body.  I could float on her music forever.
Hannio wrote:
Something is lost in the translation, here.
Something lost, but has more to do with lack of historical reference and awareness of the musical DNA than language. The English dude is referring to Pasty Cline as schmaltz, cheese, saccharin, low lounge. Thinking that referring to an Aardman animation cliché will make his error hip. Sad.

 hchewning wrote:
I love the change of pace. It's what makes Radio Paradise special. Thanks.
 
I like the change too, but this i dont need!

 fredriley wrote:
Cracking cheese, Gromit, eh, lad?
 

Something is lost in the translation, here.
 chedak wrote:
I can't believe I'm sittin' here listenin' to Patsy Cline!  Ya'll are awesome!
 

I can't believe I am listening to Patsy Cline, either. Not a fan of country music. But this is a classic any time, any place. Love it!
I can't believe I'm sittin' here listenin' to Patsy Cline!  Ya'll are awesome!
I love the change of pace. It's what makes Radio Paradise special. Thanks.
 gjr wrote:
how can you NOT love patsy cline?  i absolutely hate c & w, but crossover artists like her and johnny cash and even hank williams have a much broader appeal............now bill, how about some frank sinatra??

  Thank goodliness he does have scrooples!  Your post is good2!

how can you NOT love patsy cline?  i absolutely hate c & w, but crossover artists like her and johnny cash and even hank williams have a much broader appeal............now bill, how about some frank sinatra??

Nice. I need to donate some $ to Bill if only for his fearless willingness to throw songs like this into the mix.
jagdriver wrote:
Now all we need is little Hank Williams once in awhile....

Agreed!
My Japanese cousin loves Hank Williams but he pronounces it Honku Wirriamsu .
He plays a mean guitar and can play almost anything Hank recorded but he sings the songs phonetically. He doesn't really know what the songs are saying. It's an absolute riot to hear him butcher "Jambalaya" {#Lol}{#Roflol}
ooh a patsy day!
Cracking cheese, Gromit, eh, lad?


 romeotuma wrote:


This song is soooo good for the ears...
 
No, it is not. 


Great song and what a babe.
Patsy Cline brings back memories! Thanks Bill!
 newwavegurly wrote:
This is good, but not as good as the slower version that I've grown accustomed to. This one has a little bit too much of a galloping-like cadence to it.
 

My sentiments exactly.  Still...any Patsy Cline is a very good thing in my book!
Brings back great memories of long nights spent drinking cheap beer and plugging the juke box at the Tune Inn in Washington, DC. Sing it, Patsy!

Not my music!!
i grew up in the same virginia hillbilly culture as patsy cline. i hated C&W music, but after seeing SWEET DREAMS i became a die-hard PC fan. great hearing this tune.
This is good, but not as good as the slower version that I've grown accustomed to. This one has a little bit too much of a galloping-like cadence to it.
 cc_rider wrote:
Bill does play Hank occasionally. Despite the howls from the 'no country, no way' contingent.
 
...that'd be like leaving out Johnny Cash :(

Some artists just can't be defined by a single genre...