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1968 single by The Grass Roots

"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.

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][unreliable source?]

The Grass Roots

• Rob Grill – lead and backing vocals
• Warren Entner – lead and backing vocals
• Creed Bratton – backing vocals
• Rick Coonce – backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Ben Benay – electric guitar
• Mike Deasy – electric guitar
• Carol Kaye[8] – bass
• Don Randi – piano
• Larry Knechtel – organ
• Hal Blaine – drums
• Emil Richards – percussion
• Plas Johnson – saxophone
• John Audino – trumpet
• Bud Childers – trumpet
• Tony Terran – trumpet
• Richard Hyde – trombone
• Harold Diner – trombone
• Edward Kusby – trombone

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

• Patti Drew (c. 1968)
• Phyllis Dillon (c. 1968-71)
• Carolyne Mas (1980)
• Karla DeVito (US Billboard #109, 1981)[17]
• Fastbacks (1984)
• Rock City Angels (1989)
• Carol Lynn Townes (1993)
• Ron Dante of The Archies (1999)
• Paul Revere & the Raiders (2000)
• Lou Josie, solo album Me and Mother Music (2002)