Midnight in Montgomery

"Midnight in Montgomery" is the title of a song written by American country music singer-songwriter Alan Jackson and Don Sampson, and recorded by Jackson. It was released in 1992 from Jackson's second album, Don't Rock the Jukebox. The song peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, and number 3 as well on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

Content

This song was written about Hank Williams, who was from Montgomery, Alabama. It is a mid-tempo, largely acoustic ballad in the key of D minor.

The singer describes, while heading to Mobile for a New Year's Eve show, makes a visit to a Montgomery grave (Williams died on New Year's Day), and encounters the ghost of Williams who thanks him for paying tribute before disappearing. The song also references several Williams hits, including "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."

Critical reception

Leeann Ward of Country Universe gave the song an A grade," saying that "the song’s story is fascinating in and of itself, but equally impressive is the recording as a whole package." She goes on to say that "along with the ominous production and chilling story, Jackson’s performance strays from its usual smooth reliability and picks up its own haunting quality, which perfectly adds to the overall darkness of the song."^[2]

Music video

The music video was directed by Jim Shea and premiered in April 1992.

Peak chart positions

"Midnight in Montgomery" debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of April 25, 1992.

References