Midnight Confessions

"Midnight Confessions"
Single by The Grass Roots
from the album Golden Grass
B-side	"Who Will You Be Tomorrow"
Released	June 1968 (1968-06)[1]
Format	7" 45 RPM
Recorded	1968 in Los Angeles, California
Genre	Rock
Length	2:42
Label	Dunhill ABC
Writer(s)	Lou Josie
Producer	Steve Barri
Certification	Gold (RIAA)[2]
The Grass Roots singles chronology
"Feelings" (1968) "Midnight Confessions" (1968) "Bella Linda" (1969)

"Midnight Confessions" is a song written by Lou T. Josie and originally performed by the Evergreen Blues Band. It was later made famous by American rock band The Grass Roots, who released the song as a single in 1968 (see 1968 in music). The Grass Roots version became the band's biggest charting hit on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the Top 5 of the chart.^[3]

Background and recording

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 version was produced/engineered by Steve Barri with the horn section's arrangement by Jimmie Haskell. The performers included bassist-vocalist Rob Grill, guitarists Creed Bratton and Warren Entner, drummer Rick Coonce, and various session musicians.^[4]

Release and reception

"Midnight Confessions" was released as a single by the Dunhill ABC record label in late June 1968.^[1] It was the Grass Roots first single to feature a horn section and was "a departure" from the group's previous singles and thus caused worry for the band members as it might not have become a hit.^[4] The group members, however, did not need to worry as the single was well received and became their biggest hit in the United States, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September^[3] and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, with sales of over 500,000 units, on December 3, 1968.^[2] The single was also well received in Canada peaking at #4 on the RPM 100 singles chart.^[5]

Cover versions

• Patty Drew (c. 1968)
• Phyllis Dillon (c. 1968-71)
• Karla DeVito (1981)
• The Fastbacks (1984)
• Rock City Angels (1989)
• Carol Lynn Townes (1993)
• Ron Dante of The Archies (1999)
• Paul Revere & the Raiders (2000)
• Carry The Zero (2007)
• Mark Bram / Ruby Topaz (2011)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Ackerman, Paul, ed (June 29, 1968). "Spotlight Singles: Top 60 Pop Spotlight". Billboard Vol. 80 (No. 26): 95. http://books.google.com/books?id=zgoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA95&dq=%22Dunhill+4144%22&hl=en&ei=A_qMTcr6GsrXgQfjvu2nDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22Dunhill%204144%22&f=false. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Gold & Platinum Searchable Database. Recording Industry Association of America. Type in "Grass Roots" under Artist to see search results.
3. ^ ^{a b} Whitburn, Joel (2010). "Chapter 1: The Artists". The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (9th ed.). Billboard Books. pp. 276. ISBN 9780823085545. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Everett, Todd (1996). Album notes for All Time Greatest Hits by The Grass Roots [CD liner]. MCA Records (MCAMD-11467).
5. ^ "The RPM 100" (PHP). RPM Weekly Vol. 10 (No. 8): 5. October 28, 1968. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5807&type=2&interval=20&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3. Retrieved March 25, 2011.