Sometime Around Midnight Explained

Sometime Around Midnight
Cover:Sometime around midnight.jpg
Type:single
Artist:The Airborne Toxic Event
Album:The Airborne Toxic Event
Label:Majordomo
Producer:Pete Min
Prev Title:Gasoline
Prev Year:2008
Next Title:Happiness Is Overrated
Next Year:2009

"Sometime Around Midnight" is a song by American indie rock band The Airborne Toxic Event. It was released as the second single from their self-titled debut album (2008) on February 2, 2009, in the UK.[1] The song peaked at number 115 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 29 on the Wallonia Ultratop chart in Belgium, and number 33 on the UK Singles Chart.

Composition

The song is about a night when lead singer Mikel Jollett met a former girlfriend while out at a bar, during which he discovered that he still loved her. The entire band was present during this event.[2] The lyrics to the song were written in isolation by Jollett over the course of the next three days.[3]

Release

"Sometime Around Midnight" was iTunes' #1 alternative song of 2008.[4] An acoustic version of this song was chosen as the Starbucks Pick of the Week for May 6.[5]

Music video

The song has two music videos, the first of which was released in August 2008, and was directed by Jason Wishnow.[6] This video is a literal re-telling of the song's events. The second video was released on April 30, 2009, and was directed by D.J. Caruso.[7] The newer video is a more abstract, surreal depiction of Jollett writing the song. Actress Anita Briem stars as the love interest in the video.

Track listing

Charts and certifications

Year-end charts

Chart (2009)Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[9] 23
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[10] 12

Certifications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UK: "Sometime Around Midnight" Single In Stores TODAY - The Airborne Toxic Event. 12 September 2014.
  2. Web site: "The Airborne Toxic Event On Their Video "Some Time Around Midnight"" by The Airborne Toxic Event - Show Clip - VH1.com. vh1.com. 12 September 2014.
  3. Web site: Between Love and Like: Sound and Vision: My Interview with The Airborne Toxic Event (Act II). 12 September 2014.
  4. Web site: Airborne Toxic Event Flying High - Billboard. 23 June 2009. Billboard. 12 September 2014.
  5. Web site: www.mark-heringer.com: Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight. Mark Heringer. 12 September 2014.
  6. Web site: Big News: "Midnight" Music Video Premiere–We need your help - The Airborne Toxic Event. 12 September 2014.
  7. Web site: New video out Friday, Jimmy Kimmel, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, BFD, etc. - The Airborne Toxic Event. 12 September 2014.
  8. Web site: The Airborne Toxic Event – Sometime Around Midnight (CD) . . February 7, 2017.
  9. Web site: Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2009. Billboard. September 6, 2018.
  10. Web site: Alternative Songs – Year-End 2009. Billboard. September 6, 2018.