“In The Still of the Night”: The 1955 Church Basement Song That Became a Timeless Classic
Written by Fred Parris in the quiet basement of a local church in 1955, “In The Still of the Night” began as a modest doo-wop tune recorded by Parris and his group, The Five Satins. Though only a moderate hit at the time of its release, the song slowly etched itself into the hearts of generations—and today, it’s hailed as one of the greatest doo-wop songs ever recorded.
Over the years, this hauntingly beautiful ballad has been covered by a wide range of artists, from Boyz II Men to Debbie Gibson, and its enduring charm has kept it alive in film, radio, and memory. A standout moment came when it was featured on the 1987 Dirty Dancing soundtrack, introducing it to a whole new audience and solidifying its place in pop culture history.
In 2010, Rolling Stone honored the track by ranking it #90 on their list of the Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time—a testament to its lasting emotional power.
Below, enjoy a rare live excerpt from the film Sweet Beat, and experience for yourself the song that began in stillness… and echoed through the decades.
