Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) - Wikipedia

About the Song

In the dynamic realm of 1970s pop music, ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” stands as an enduring anthem, a catchy tune that has captivated audiences for decades. Released in 1979, the song’s infectious melody and poignant lyrics have cemented its place in popular culture, making it a beloved favorite among music lovers of all ages.

“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a captivating narrative, a snapshot of a solitary night transformed by a yearning for connection and excitement. The song’s opening lines, “Half past twelve and I’m watching the late show in my flat all alone,” paint a vivid picture of isolation and longing. The narrator, confined to their apartment, craves a spark of excitement, a break from the monotony of their solitary existence.

The song’s chorus explodes with energy, perfectly capturing the narrator’s desperate plea for connection: “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! A man after midnight won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away?” The lyrics yearn for a companion, someone to dispel the loneliness and usher in a night of revelry.

ABBA’s signature sound is on full display in “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!”. The infectious melody, driven by a pulsating beat and sparkling synth arpeggios, is instantly recognizable. The group’s vocal harmonies, a hallmark of their sound, soar above the instrumental backdrop, adding layers of emotion and depth to the song.

The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the universal human desire for connection and escape. Whether you’re feeling lonely, restless, or simply in need of a pick-me-up, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” is the perfect song to lift your spirits and remind you that there’s always a chance for excitement and joy, even in the darkest of nights.

“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” has been covered by countless artists over the years, each adding their own unique interpretation to the song. However, ABBA’s original version remains the definitive one, a testament to their enduring talent and the song’s timeless appeal.

As the years go by, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” continues to resonate with listeners, its melody and message as fresh and relevant as ever. It’s a song that reminds us of the power of music to transport us, to evoke emotions, and to connect us to something larger than ourselves. So, the next time you find yourself feeling lonely or yearning for excitement, turn up the volume and let “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” transport you to a world of shimmering lights, pulsating rhythms, and the promise of a night to remember.

Dancing Queen — Theresa May danced to it, but the Abba song speaks to all of us — FT.com

Video

Lyrics: Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

Half past twelve
And I’m watching the late show
In my flat all alone
How I hate to spend the evening on my ownAutumn winds
Blowing outside my window
As I look around the room
And it makes me so depressed to see the gloomIs there a man out there?
Someone to hear my prayersGimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the dayMovie stars
Find the end of the rainbow
With a fortune to win
It’s so different from the world I’m living in

Tired of T.V
I open the window
And I gaze into the night
But there’s nothing there to see, no one in sight

Is there a man out there?
Someone to hear my prayer

Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day

Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day

Is there a man out there?
Someone to hear my prayer

Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day

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Dolly Parton turned a simple handmade coat into one of the most powerful songs of her life because to her, it was never really about the fabric. “Coat of Many Colors” sprang directly from Dolly’s growing-up years in East Tennessee. Her mother, Avie Lee, pieced the jacket together by sewing colorful rags the family already owned. Cash was mighty tight, so there was no running down to the store for brand-new clothes. Instead, Avie Lee took what was on hand and stitched together something warm for her little girl to wear. While the needle flew, she shared the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, turning an ordinary piece of clothing into something special in Dolly’s eyes. Proudly wearing that coat to school, Dolly felt rich, but the other kids saw it differently. They laughed at the patches and teased her for having so little. Years down the road, Dolly penned those childhood memories into “Coat of Many Colors.” Released in 1971, the tune became a shining example of why her songwriting touched so many souls. She never tried to hide hard times or dress up her youth to look prettier than it was. She simply laid the sting of teasing side-by-side with the deep love that stitched the coat together, letting that honest truth speak for itself. The song eventually grew far beyond that original vinyl record. Its spirit inspired the 2015 television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, followed by Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love the very next year. Those films opened a window into Dolly’s mountain home, introducing folks to the hardworking parents and siblings who shaped her long before the bright lights found her. By then, Dolly had worn glittering stage gowns worth more than her family could ever have dreamed. Yet the garment folks remember best remains that humble little coat stitched by a mother’s loving hands when buying something new simply wasn’t in the cards. That is why the memory stayed alive. The scraps faded away, but the lesson underneath never did.