After Midnight

by Shannon McNally

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card
    Download available in 16-bit/44.1kHz.

      $2 USD  or more

     

about

I love a good song to interpret, it’s true. Simple songs are the most interesting because there’s no place to hide. I didn’t set out to cut “After Midnight” for real. It was a palate cleanser in between other songs of mine that just kept whispering the question “well, do you want to keep going?” Mike McCarthy suggested I play the bass. That bass line fell out of my fingers and made the song unique enough to stand alone as its own version. From there we connected the dots. Mike also suggested the Wah Wah pedal, which I hadn’t really messed with much in the past. It instantly softens the idea of playing a “guitar solo” on a massively iconic song synonymous with Eric Clapton. As usual, McCarthy cut it straight to tape and then did his magic. Chad Cromwell on drums me on everything else.

As a teenager I found JJ Cale. He became a kind of guru I never got to meet. We must have shared a frequency as his songs come really easily to me. I hope his fans agree. I’m ever grateful to Christine Lakeland for her encouragement, even more than JJ on some level. Watching her just cruise along on rhythm with JJ and Leon Russell left a lasting impression on my mind that “well I guess gals do play too”. It was pretty rare once upon a time to see a gal just sitting there playing guitar easy does it- no dancing or monkey business. If it wasn’t for Christine I might have stuck to the violin.

I love this song because it defies gravity, it just floats into that late night early morning theta wave space when no one’s watching.

credits

released July 7, 2025
"After Midnight"
Producer: Mike McCarthy
All Guitars/Bass/Keys/Vocals: Shannon McNally
Drums: Chad Cromwell
Written by: J.J. Cale

Album Artwork by Mitch Kelly

Record label: Queen Maeve Records/Silk Tree

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Shannon McNally Nashville, Tennessee

Americana, Singer Songwriter. Listen to the recent Singles "Trouble", "Ceremony", "Magnolia", "Wasted Time", & "Hello". Albums "Live at Dee's" & "The Waylon Sessions" out now.

shows

contact / help

Contact Shannon McNally

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Shannon McNally recommends:

If you like Shannon McNally, you may also like: