“In the Still of the Nite,” originally penned by Fred Parris and performed by his band, the Five Satins, remains a timeless classic in the realm of doo-wop music. Released in 1956, the song initially carried the subtitle “(I’ll Remember)” to differentiate it from Cole Porter’s “In the Still of the Night.” Over time, however, the title was simplified to “In the Still of the Night.”
Fred Parris drew inspiration for the song while stationed in the U.S. Army, where a passing woman sparked the lyrics in his mind. The recording took place in the unlikely setting of a church basement—St. Bernadette’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut—which added a unique ambiance to its production.
The Five Satins’ lineup for this recording featured Al Denby, Eddie Martin, Jim Freeman, and Fred Parris himself. Marty Kugell produced the track, and notable contributions came from saxophonist Vinny Mazzetta and the rhythm section of Doug Murray, Bobby Mapp, and Curlee Glover.
Initially released on Kugell’s Standord label with “The Jones Girl” as its B-side, the song achieved moderate success, peaking at number 24 on the national pop charts and number 3 on the R&B “race” charts. Despite its modest chart performance upon release, its enduring popularity grew significantly over the years.
“In the Still of the Night” holds a distinguished place in music history, being ranked at number 90 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Its influence transcended generations, evidenced by its appearances in various films and TV series such as “The Buddy Holly Story,” “Dirty Dancing,” “The Irishman,” and “The Offer,” further solidifying its cultural impact.
The song’s charm lies in its plaintive doo-wop refrain, which has been cited as a potential origin for the term “doo-wop” itself, along with another contender, “When You Dance” by the Turbans. This characteristic refrain, coupled with Fred Parris’s emotive vocals and the band’s harmonious blend, captured the essence of 1950s doo-wop and continues to captivate audiences today.
Moreover, “In the Still of the Night” holds a rare distinction of charting on the Hot 100 three separate times with the same version by the same artist—an achievement shared with only a select few songs in music history. Its re-releases in 1960 and 1961 further underscore its enduring popularity and appeal across different eras.
Ultimately, “In the Still of the Night” stands as a testament to the enduring power of doo-wop music, preserving its place in the pantheon of beloved American classics and solidifying the Five Satins’ contribution to the genre’s rich legacy.
Video
Lyrics
In the still of the night
I held you
Held you tight
‘Cause I love
Love you so
Promise I’ll never
Let you go
In the still of the night
I remember
That night in May
The stars were bright above
I’ll hope and I’ll pray
To keep
Your precious love
Well before the light
Hold me again
With all of your might
In the still of the night
So before the light
Hold me again
With all of your might
In the still of the night
In the still of the night
