The Five Satins’ “In the Still of the Night” stands as one of the most enduring ballads of the golden age of doo-wop, a musical genre synonymous with love, harmony, and nostalgia. Its haunting melody and evocative lyrics have transcended generations, making it a timeless piece of music history.
This iconic track was born in 1956 under circumstances as heartfelt as the song itself. Fred Parris, a 19-year-old soldier stationed in Philadelphia, was deeply in love with his sweetheart, Marla, who lived in Connecticut with his family. After spending a weekend with her, Parris returned to his Army camp, consumed by the memory of their time together.
“There were other nights that we spent together,” Parris recalled in an interview with Smithsonian Magazine in 2004, “But there’s only one first time.”
With emotions running high, he sat down at the piano in the camp’s day room, where he began to craft the chords and lyrics that would become “In the Still of the Night.” The cold, starry night during his guard duty further inspired the song’s heartfelt sentiment.