'round Midnight

Carmen McRae's rendition of "'Round Midnight" is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of the emotional turbulence that often accompanies the late-night hours. The song, originally composed by jazz legend Thelonious Monk, is a poignant reflection on love, loss, and the passage of time. McRae's soulful delivery adds a layer of depth to the lyrics, making the listener feel the weight of each word.

The song begins with the narrator describing how the sadness intensifies as the clock strikes midnight. The memories of a past love become unbearable, and the loneliness is palpable. The lyrics, "I do pretty well, till after sundown / Suppertime I'm feelin' sad / But it really gets bad / 'Round midnight," capture the essence of how nighttime can amplify feelings of sorrow and longing. The mention of a quarrel that needs mending suggests unresolved issues and the hope for reconciliation.

As the song progresses, there is a shift from despair to a glimmer of hope. The narrator expresses a desire for their love to be rekindled, with lines like, "Let our hearts take wings / 'Round midnight, midnight / Let the angels sing / For your returning." This transition from sadness to hope is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The verses by Jon Hendricks further emphasize this duality, highlighting the inevitability of both sadness and gladness in life and encouraging the listener to cherish the good moments.

The imagery of the "pale and lonely moon" and the passage of time from night to dawn serves as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of life and emotions. The song concludes with a sense of acceptance and a focus on the future, as the narrator decides to let go of the day's troubles and look forward to a new beginning. "'Round Midnight" is a masterful blend of melancholy and optimism, capturing the complex emotions that come with love and loss.