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J.J. Cale — After Midnight
Album: Naturally
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1912









Released: 1971
Length: 2:17
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang out
After midnight, we're gonna chug-a-lug and shout
We're gonna cause talk and suspicion
Give an exhibition
Find out what it is all about
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang out
After midnight, gonna shake your tambourine
After midnight, it's gonna be peaches and cream
We're gonna cause talk and suspicion
Give an exhibition
Find out what it is all about
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang out
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang out
Comments (149)add comment
 helgigermany wrote:

     I prefer eric claptons version!


You prefer a cover of the original? Hmm
Posted 6 hours ago by Rcallinjr    [ Reply ]


When Delaney Bramlett played some of Cale’s demos for Eric Clapton in 1969, Clapton responded by recording Cale’s “After Midnight” for his solo debut. Cale wasn’t even aware of Clapton’s recording of the song until he heard it on the car radio. “I almost drove off the road and I thought, ‘oh, boy I’m gonna buy me a new car.’ I was dirt poor, not making enough to eat, and I wasn’t a young man. I was in my thirties, so I was very happy. It was nice to make some money.”

Posted 10 months ago by Rickhgale    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:


JJ first heard EC's cover on the car radio, and thought to himself, derisively, "Well, that isn't going to go anywhere." 

JJ changed his tune when the royalties paid off his debts..



That's funny!  I was going to post that I never heard this version on AOR way back when.  But now I hear it on RP, and I like this version way better than EC's.
Posted 1 year ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
I read an article about JJ years ago that said he resisted interviews, photographs, and other trappings and obligations of celebrity. In a rare interview, his wife was asked how she liked his new album (not sure which one it would have been), and she said it was fine, but nothing to compare with listening to JJ playing guitar and singing in his sock feet on the porch in the evening. That image has always stuck in my mind. She's a lucky woman!
Posted 2 years ago by thurstonvirginia    [ Reply ]
The kick drum panned to the far left and the snare panned to the far right is making for an interesting effect that is making my head tilt to one side kind of the way dogs do ...
Posted 2 years ago by opaceo    [ Reply ]
This song, this voice. After this many many listens. How does it sound so fresh, so new and vital every time? Effortless. Timeless. Thanks you RP. Thank you JJ.
Posted 2 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
 cely wrote:

He is the master of lo-fi cool.



The original Slow-hand!
10
Posted 2 years ago by surfool    [ Reply ]
How many artists have been influenced by J.J. Cale?
Posted 2 years ago by danthebeachman    [ Reply ]
He is the master of lo-fi cool.
Posted 3 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
Was sitting in an upscale restaurant and this came on via the overhead speakers. Really nice.

Oh, and it was in eastern Iceland.
Posted 3 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 helgigermany wrote:

     I prefer eric claptons version!



JJ first heard EC's cover on the car radio, and thought to himself, derisively, "Well, that isn't going to go anywhere." 

JJ changed his tune when the royalties paid off his debts..
Posted 3 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
ah, now finally I know how this song has to sound! (silly EC)
Posted 3 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
 Cale keeps growing in legend as the years pass by. 
Posted 4 years ago by sachinchavan    [ Reply ]
 helgigermany wrote:
     I prefer eric claptons version!
Well, hailing from Tulsa, I suspect your listeners have never heard of RED DIRT. JJ Cale was the Godfather of the Tulsa Sound. Eric tried but couldn't replicate it.
Posted 4 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
Fun 1979 version with Leon Russell and Bill Payne(?) on keyboards ...

JJCale-AfterMidnight
Posted 4 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
If it was after midnight and I lived next door, I'd definitely prefer the original! 'God's' version is a tad frantic, and I suspect JJ would make it through to dawn whereas Eric might run out of steam... JJ has been my favourite undersung hero since the the '70s.
Posted 9 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
I always disliked this song, or at best was indifferent, until one rainy autumn evening close to midnight I heard JJ's recording. My wife and I were instant fans. Something is so right about it.
Posted 9 years ago by tugandbuster    [ Reply ]
Both are distinct and both great. As it happens with Cocaine and many others. I appreciate that Bill plays Iindeed bohh versions on RP!

 helgigermany wrote:
     I prefer eric claptons version!

 

Posted 9 years ago by hugogdt    [ Reply ]
     I prefer eric claptons version!
Posted 9 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Tasty as peaches and cream, baby!
Posted 9 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
This one was always a snooze. When Gramps got "funky" I suppose he would dig on the SlowHand version.
Posted 10 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
10>11
Posted 10 years ago by Jive    [ Reply ]
so natural so good  {#Yes}
Posted 10 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:
the master....{#Notworthy}{#Bounce}  {#Yes}

 
You are so right
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Vale JJ
Posted 11 years ago by janac13    [ Reply ]
the master....{#Notworthy}{#Bounce}  {#Yes}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
What a super album ... THX JJ!!!
 
Posted 11 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
Sly and wry....R.I.P..
Posted 11 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
Rest in Peace
Posted 11 years ago by blkstd    [ Reply ]
One of the great ones. He'll be missed
Posted 11 years ago by cdemon    [ Reply ]
RIP JJ. Thanks for all the great songs.
Posted 11 years ago by bkrhoad    [ Reply ]
Lost a great one this weekend ... More, Bill, more ...
Posted 11 years ago by avid1    [ Reply ]
RIP JJ    Thank you for the good vibes.  {#Meditate}
Posted 11 years ago by z11355    [ Reply ]
R.I.P., thanks for the song-writing! Nice performances as well, especially this one.
Posted 11 years ago by rharvey658    [ Reply ]

marvelous...  love it...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
J.J. {#Notworthy}
Posted 11 years ago by Isabeau    [ Reply ]
Yes! J.J. Cale after packing up work for Xmas, this is colossal stuff Bill! I love the voice, the guitar, the overall vibe... {#Cool}
Posted 11 years ago by hidey    [ Reply ]
Nice..... {#Cheers}
Posted 12 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
like a fine whiskey on the rocks...
Posted 12 years ago by slowhand    [ Reply ]
Perfect line-up after CCR! {#Angel}
Posted 12 years ago by hopper99    [ Reply ]
Great song... only "Crazy Mama" approches it... from same GREAT album
Posted 12 years ago by hoppin_bob    [ Reply ]
One of the best desert island records of all time and gotta love the raccoon.
Posted 12 years ago by Blastcat900    [ Reply ]
 Sloggydog wrote:
Perhaps this version should be called 4 and a half hours after midnight cause 12:01 I'd go the Clapton version but 4:30 am I could see the JJ Cale version winning out
 
4:30 . . . or given JJ's "Laid back" style, maybe 4:20?   ; )
Posted 12 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Guitar. Piano. Rum-soaked voice. Godlike.

Posted 12 years ago by Patrick    [ Reply ]
wow. I don't hear this version often and i can't stand Clapton's version (especially since the beer ad in th 80's).

weird thing is that i can totally hear "Son of a Preacher Man" in this version, which makes me like it more
Posted 12 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
Yes, but the guitar licks on Eric's version are ROCKIN'!!

 Grammarcop wrote:
So much more subtle and sensual than Clapton's version.
 


Posted 12 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Perhaps this version should be called 4 and a half hours after midnight cause 12:01 I'd go the Clapton version but 4:30 am I could see the JJ Cale version winning out
Posted 13 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
If you were ever into J.J. Cale you should own this album. If you're new to J.J. Cale and just like this song you should buy the album. I've never made a desert island list but Naturally is definitely something I'd like having with me. It's still my favorite from his catalog.

Posted 13 years ago by run4more    [ Reply ]
 nohopenofearnoname wrote:


i respectfully disagree—not only is this version, in my opinion, more heartfelt than Clapton's, but Clapton's was produced, i believe, by Phil Collins—not a particularly bright period for oldschool Clapton fans who prefer their rock gods bereft of later-day Collins flavorings...
 
Delaney Bramlett produced Clapton's first solo album, Eric Clapton, and "After Midnight." At the time the album was released, Collins had just joined Genesis.

Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
So much more subtle and sensual than Clapton's version.
Posted 13 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
If you like this, listen to the J.J. Cale original "Cocaine", also recorded by Clapton. 
Posted 13 years ago by wycado    [ Reply ]
Wow!  I don't know how I've missed this version all these years — it is very fresh sounding for 1971.  Definitely prefer this one over Clapton's any day — glad to know this is the original!
Posted 13 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
I love that Bill played "After Midnight" directly after "The Midnight Special"
Posted 13 years ago by vicariance    [ Reply ]
That's j.j. cool correct ?
Posted 14 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
"Naturally", the original version is the best!!!
Posted 14 years ago by countyman    [ Reply ]
 calypsus_1 wrote:

Eric Clapton & JJ Cale - After Midnight. Live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5Tiqv4Irjs

 
Eric Clapton said that when he comes back, he wants to come back as JJ Cale, or something close to that.
Way way way cool. 
Posted 14 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]

Eric Clapton & JJ Cale - After Midnight. Live

Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
 drews wrote:
Great laid back feel compared to Clapton's, though no knocking the urgency and pace of Eric's version
 
You mean both of Clapton's versions ?

Posted 14 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
Laid back and minimal.
Posted 14 years ago by garycha    [ Reply ]
 Stefen wrote:
What is this "it" that's going to hang out after midnight?
 
Whatever you want 'it" to be...{#Tongue}
Posted 14 years ago by jkhandy    [ Reply ]
What is this "it" that's going to hang out after midnight?
Posted 14 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
JJ is fantastique-magnifique!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Aaaw, this is almost a brilliant coincidence - Eric Clapton's just parked his Ferrari outside our office... (not coming to see us unfortunately!)
Posted 15 years ago by toomanyollys    [ Reply ]
J.J. Cale!
One of my all time faves!

Posted 15 years ago by flatpicker    [ Reply ]
 Darkmatter wrote:
Love this song. But exactly what is it he is going to "let it all hang out"?
 
Turn of phrase, kind of like 'throw inhibition to the wind'
Posted 15 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
So good.....gives me chills
Posted 15 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Harry met Sally moment in my workshop! Yeeeeeeeeesssssss!
Posted 15 years ago by gumbo73039    [ Reply ]
Great albulm.  Check out Crazy Momma.
Posted 15 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
Love this song. But exactly what is it he is going to "let it all hang out"?


Posted 15 years ago by Darkmatter    [ Reply ]
 Mandible wrote:

is the racoon's hat strategically placed on his crotch or what? 


I think you need anatomy lessons.  That's called a 'knee'.

Posted 15 years ago by shayde    [ Reply ]
JJ's lazy original still sounds great after all these years.

Posted 15 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]

is the racoon's hat strategically placed on his crotch or what?


Posted 15 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]
damn Bill CCR then JJ love this midnight theme ya got goin suprised JJ isn't rated higher
Posted 15 years ago by stkman    [ Reply ]
gekkosan wrote:

He did. BB. King doesn't enter into it.

There's an interesting anecdote about this song and Cale's career posted in Wikipedia:
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/After_Midnight

No Comprende.

Posted 15 years ago by Al_Koholic    [ Reply ]
 anotherlistener wrote:

I believe Mr. Cale penned this ditty.  Not so?

 
He did. BB. King doesn't enter into it.

There's an interesting anecdote about this song and Cale's career posted in Wikipedia:
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/After_Midnight

Posted 15 years ago by gekkosan    [ Reply ]
 reason06 wrote:
when I was a child, I thought this song was dirty! :)
 
Because he sang ''peaches and cream''?

Posted 15 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Great tune - JJ, a true master of his profession!
Posted 16 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
 bugleboy624 wrote:
An understated version of the B.B. King classic.
 
I believe Mr. Cale penned this ditty.  Not so?

Posted 16 years ago by anotherlistener    [ Reply ]
 jim1964 wrote:
now there's an inspired follow-up to "Midnight Special", haven't heard this in years.
 

Agreed!  Works nicely together.  J.J. Cale is just sooooo smooooth.
Posted 16 years ago by Ericac    [ Reply ]
An understated version of the B.B. King classic.
Posted 16 years ago by bugleboy624    [ Reply ]
TY for reminding me how wonderful he is! YumYum
Posted 16 years ago by laroue    [ Reply ]
reason06 wrote:
when I was a child, I thought this song was dirty! :)
And now as an adult ...you know it is.
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
great song. great album. Twas good to see Clapton do an album with Cale recently. Clapton made some serious money on JJ's songs.
Posted 16 years ago by fiskadora54    [ Reply ]
when I was a child, I thought this song was dirty! :)
Posted 16 years ago by reason06    [ Reply ]
What a treat--more and more please
Posted 16 years ago by GINNYSUE2    [ Reply ]
Great laid back feel compared to Clapton's, though no knocking the urgency and pace of Eric's version
Posted 16 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
now there's an inspired follow-up to "Midnight Special", haven't heard this in years.
Posted 16 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by keyholder    [ Reply ]
Hairfarmer wrote:
Yet another Clapton hit that was much better the first time out of the gate.
You said it!
Posted 16 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]
Hairfarmer wrote:
Yet another Clapton hit that was much better the first time out of the gate.
Absolutely true. JJ's live version of this is actually my favorite.
Posted 16 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
Yet another Clapton hit that was much better the first time out of the gate.
Posted 16 years ago by Hairfarmer    [ Reply ]
kinda reminds me of eric clapton in a strange way...LOL
Posted 16 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
What a cool song!
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Why wait till midnight
Posted 16 years ago by Jakeethan    [ Reply ]
Sic 'em, boy!
Posted 16 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
all sky colours
Posted 16 years ago by markilo    [ Reply ]
Too amazing! But now all I want to do is leave work to get down and dirty!
Posted 17 years ago by buckeyes    [ Reply ]
Sic 'em Boy!
Posted 17 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
mfassett wrote:
Damn, THIS is what this song is supposed to sound like!! Never liked the song until now.
I know what you mean. I picked up this CD years ago. I played it at a party I had at the house and some of my friends there asked, who is that doing an EC cover. At that point I had to break the news!!!
Posted 17 years ago by parrothead    [ Reply ]
Love the ivory tinklin'! Classic song, fantastic bass and guit! Says it ALL, baby.
Posted 17 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
algrif wrote:
What is often called 'PhilCollinization' ruined many great musicians work. Thank goodness Clapton realised eventually. But he released at least two junk LPs before he escaped the evil clutches of the ubiquitous Philler-Killer
I've certainly had my Phil.
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
algrif wrote:
Its a better version. Full stop. What's your problem with EC? He's a very competant, mainly blues, musician who has made a lot of good music and made a lot of people happy. Same as JJC.
They have made an album together, yes? A story goes that Eric had had a postcard on his fridge once from Bob Marley saying I shot the sherriff, so what's his problem?
Posted 17 years ago by maxmox    [ Reply ]
Stunning, simply stunning. Don't hear this man enough. A true musical god!
Posted 17 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
algrif wrote:
Its a better version. Full stop. What's your problem with EC? He's a very competant, mainly blues, musician who has made a lot of good music and made a lot of people happy. Same as JJC.
And now an excellent new CD WITH JJC!!
Posted 17 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
Wonderful version...Incredibly Soulful and Romantic. 9
Posted 17 years ago by slowhand    [ Reply ]
eman wrote:
Soooooooo much better than that EC (sellout) dudes cover version
Its a better version. Full stop. What's your problem with EC? He's a very competant, mainly blues, musician who has made a lot of good music and made a lot of people happy. Same as JJC.
Posted 17 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
eman wrote:
Soooooooo much better than that EC (sellout) dudes cover version
I agree 100%! Edit: To clarify, I agree with the "much better than EC's version", not with the sellout comment. So maybe more like 90% agreement.
Posted 17 years ago by TexasAggies    [ Reply ]
earthbased wrote:
Cale/Clapton CD Nov. 7th!
Hey, the album cover for the Cale/Clapton CD reminds me a lot of the Leo Kottke/mike gordon album Sixty Six Steps.... is there something to that?
Posted 18 years ago by rachlan    [ Reply ]
Soooooooo much better than that EC (sellout) dudes cover version
Posted 18 years ago by eman    [ Reply ]
Cale/Clapton CD Nov. 7th!
Posted 18 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
Damn, THIS is what this song is supposed to sound like!! Never liked the song until now.
Posted 18 years ago by mfassett    [ Reply ]
This is an amazing piece of vinyl from start to finish. I ran the cassette of this in my car for a solid year after its release (1972). I believe it beat the crap out of anything else that came out that year.
Posted 18 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Yeah, but this isn't a heartfelt song: it's talking trash about how tanked and rowdy we're going to get tonight! So I have to side with the Clapton opinion, sorry.
Why can one not be heartfelt about getting 'tanked and rowdy' after midnight? I know when I say it I really, down to my heart, mean it.
Posted 18 years ago by ElSupreme    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
The definitive version of this song! Plus he is one of the nicest, most down to earth humans I ever had the chance to share space with! A true "Bard"...
Posted 18 years ago by dharmanavy    [ Reply ]
Simply masterpiece
Posted 18 years ago by xavi    [ Reply ]
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Yeah, but this isn't a heartfelt song: it's talking trash about how tanked and rowdy we're going to get tonight! So I have to side with the Clapton opinion, sorry.
Soooo, 'heartfelt' means being conformist & ordinary ? What could be 'whiter'...?
Posted 18 years ago by nuggler    [ Reply ]
nohopenofearnoname wrote:
i respectfully disagree--not only is this version, in my opinion, more heartfelt than Clapton's, but Clapton's was produced, i believe, by Phil Collins--not a particularly bright period for oldschool Clapton fans who prefer their rock gods bereft of later-day Collins flavorings...
Yeah, but this isn't a heartfelt song: it's talking trash about how tanked and rowdy we're going to get tonight! So I have to side with the Clapton opinion, sorry.
Posted 18 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
What is often called 'PhilCollinization' ruined many great musicians work. Thank goodness Clapton realised eventually. But he released at least two junk LPs before he escaped the evil clutches of the ubiquitous Philler-Killer
Posted 18 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
nohopenofearnoname wrote:
i respectfully disagree--not only is this version, in my opinion, more heartfelt than Clapton's, but Clapton's was produced, i believe, by Phil Collins--not a particularly bright period for oldschool Clapton fans who prefer their rock gods bereft of later-day Collins flavorings...
I'd forgotten that Clapton had done his 2nd version of this song with Phil Collins. Michelob commercial, right? *shudder*
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]