Midnight at the Oasis

Maria Muldaur

About Midnight at the Oasis

"Midnight at the Oasis" is a 1973 song written by David Nichtern. It was recorded by the singer Maria Muldaur for her self-titled album and is her best-known recording; it peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #21 in the UK Singles Chart in the spring of 1974. Billboard ranked it as the No. 13 song for 1974. It was also nominated for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 17th Annual Grammy Awards, held in 1975. In Canada, the song reached #2 in the RPM magazine singles charts and #45 in the year-end chart.  


Year:
2015
3:47
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#1

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Midnight at the oasis
Send your camel to bed
Shadows painting our faces
Traces of romance in our heads
Heaven's holding a half-moon
Shining just for us
Let's slip off to a sand dune, real soon
And kick up a little dust

Come on, Cactus is our friend
He'll point out the way
Come on, till the evening ends
'Til the evening ends
You don't have to answer
There's no need to speak
I'll be your belly dancer, prancer
And you can be my sheik

I know your daddy's a sultan
A nomad known to all
With fifty girls to attend him, they all send him
Jump at his beck and call
But you won't need no harem, honey
When I'm by your side
And you won't need no camel, no no
When I take you for a ride
Come on, Cactus is our friend
He'll point out the way
Come on, till the evening ends
'Til the evening ends
Midnight at the oasis
Send your camel to bed
Got shadows painting our faces
And traces of romance in our heads

Oh come on, oh come on
Woo hoo hoo, yeah, oh yeah
Oh oh, yeah, yeah

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Maria Muldaur

Maria Muldaur (born September 12, 1943) is a folk-blues singer who was part of the American folk music revival in the early 1960s. She recorded the 1974 hit song "Midnight at the Oasis," and continues to record albums in the folk traditions. more »

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Written by: DAVID NICHTERN

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Musical Style
"Midnight at the Oasis" is a pop song with elements of jazz, R&B, and blues. The track’s arrangement reflects an eclectic fusion of these genres, cementing the unique sound that Maria Muldaur has become known for.
Chart Performance
Released in 1974, the song was a major hit, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also climbed to number 21 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Grammy Nomination
"Midnight at the Oasis" earned Muldaur a Grammy nomination in 1974 for Best Pop Female Vocalist. The nomination helped to cement Muldaur's reputation as a talented vocalist.
Song’s Origin
The song was written by David Nichtern. Although it became Maria Muldaur's signature song, it was initially intended for the band, The Association, but they never recorded it.
Song’s Theme
The lyrics conjure images of a romantic rendezvous in a desert landscape under the cover of night. The song is known for its suggestive lyrics and exotic imagery.
Cover Versions
Over the years, numerous artists have covered "Midnight at The Oasis," including The Brand New Heavies and Michael Franks. These covers have helped to ensure the song's continued popularity.
Mariah Muldaur’s Career
“Midnight at the Oasis” was the biggest hit of Muldaur’s career. Despite the song's success, Muldaur didn't want to be pigeonholed as a pop singer and subsequent albums explored a more varied range of musical styles.
Song Usage
The song has also been used in various film soundtracks including "Get Over It" and "Lost Angels."
Influence
“Midnight at the Oasis” has influenced numerous artists and songs throughout the years. UK singer-songwriter Noel Gallagher of Oasis cited the song as an influence, and it inspired the band's name.
Misconception
Despite popular belief, the song is not a traditional standard from the "Great American Songbook," it was written in the 70s and is often mistaken for an older classic due to its timeless sound and lyrical theme.

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    Midnight at the Oasis

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1974

    Billboard #6


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