Sometime Around Midnight

"Sometime Around Midnight" is a song by American indie rock band The Airborne Toxic Event. It was released as the second single from their self-titled debut album (2008) on February 2, 2009, in the UK.[1] The song peaked at number 115 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 29 on the Wallonia Ultratop chart in Belgium, and number 33 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Sometime Around Midnight"
Single by The Airborne Toxic Event
from the album The Airborne Toxic Event
B-side	"Innocence" (Live) Acoustic version
Released	February 2, 2009
Genre	Indie rock post-punk revival chamber pop
Length	5:03 (album version) 4:30 (radio edit)
Label	Majordomo
Songwriter(s)	Mikel Jollett
Producer(s)	Pete Min
The Airborne Toxic Event singles chronology
"Gasoline" (2008) "Sometime Around Midnight" (2009) "Happiness Is Overrated" (2009)
Music video
”Sometime Around Midnight” ver. 1 on YouTube
Music video
”Sometime Around Midnight” ver. 2 on YouTube

Composition

The song is about a night when lead singer Mikel Jollett met a former girlfriend while out at a bar, during which he discovered that he still loved her. The entire band was present during this event.[2] The lyrics to the song were written in isolation by Jollett over the course of the next three days.[3][4]

Release

"Sometime Around Midnight" was iTunes' #1 alternative song of 2008.[5] An acoustic version of this song was chosen as the Starbucks Pick of the Week for May 6.[6]

Music video

The song has two music videos, the first of which was released in August 2008, and was directed by Jason Wishnow.[7] This video is a literal re-telling of the song's events. The second video was released on April 30, 2009, and was directed by D.J. Caruso.[8] The newer video is a more abstract, surreal depiction of Jollett writing the song. Actress Anita Briem stars as the love interest in the video.

Track listing

• Majordomo — 826663-11310 (UK CD single)[9]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Sometime Around Midnight"	5:03
2.	"Innocence" (KCRW Radio Performance With Calder Quartet)	8:50

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (2009) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[10] 29 UK Singles (OCC)[11] 33 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[12] 19 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[13] 4 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[14] 15 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[15] 23

Year-end charts Chart (2009) Position US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[16] 23 US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[17] 12 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales United States (RIAA)[18] Gold 500,000^^ ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. "UK: "Sometime Around Midnight" Single In Stores TODAY - The Airborne Toxic Event". Retrieved 12 September 2014.
2. ""The Airborne Toxic Event On Their Video "Some Time Around Midnight"" by The Airborne Toxic Event - Show Clip - VH1.com". vh1.com. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
3. "Between Love and Like: Sound and Vision: My Interview with The Airborne Toxic Event (Act II)". Retrieved 12 September 2014.
4. "HEARTBREAK MAKES AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT ITUNES FAVE - New York Post". New York Post. 21 December 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
5. "Airborne Toxic Event Flying High - Billboard". Billboard. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
6. Mark Heringer. "www.mark-heringer.com: Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight". Retrieved 12 September 2014.
7. "Big News: "Midnight" Music Video Premiere–We need your help - The Airborne Toxic Event". Retrieved 12 September 2014.
8. "New video out Friday, Jimmy Kimmel, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, BFD, etc. - The Airborne Toxic Event". Retrieved 12 September 2014.
9. "The Airborne Toxic Event – Sometime Around Midnight (CD)". Discogs. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
10. "Ultratop.be – The Airborne Toxic Event – Sometime Around Midnight" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
11. "Airborne Toxic Event: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
12. "The Airborne Toxic Event Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
13. "The Airborne Toxic Event Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
14. "The Airborne Toxic Event Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
15. "The Airborne Toxic Event Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
16. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
17. "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
18. "American single certifications – The Airborne Toxic Event – Sometime Around Midnight". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics