BTD Song Review: Midnight Rockin – Bobby Doyle & The Feel Goods

BTD Song Review: “Midnight Rockin’” – Bobby Doyle & The Feel Goods

Some songs don’t just play, they lift you right up from the very first note. Bobby Doyle’s “Midnight Rockin’” is one of those feel-good, smile-inducing tracks that hits you with pure joy the moment the guitars kick in. It’s upbeat, bright, and instantly puts you in a great mood. The long, energized intro, the chugging guitars, that punchy drum groove, and the warm piano tucked in the background… it all sets the stage for a true old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll party.

And then Bobby’s vocals come in, oh ya…full of memories, full of life. He pulls you right into those Friday night moments of being young, wild, and wrapped up in the magic of music. He sings about “rock around the clock,” “let’s do the twist,” and suddenly you feel like transported back into another era. His writing style is clever and heartfelt, and the chorus? Oh, it’s catchy. “Midnight, midnight rockin’ — all the kids hoppin’ and boppin’.” Good luck getting that out of your head. It’s uplifting, classic, and delivered with such authenticity.

What makes the story behind this song even more special is that Doyle originally wrote “Midnight Rockin’” when he was just 16 years old back in 1983. Barely out of childhood, humming melodies at The Pixie Cinema practice space, while his teenage bandmates from Narrow Margin/Strutter, John Rudnicki, Tommy Hager, Paul Hagerty and TL Mulvey worked out the chords from his humming. They were kids chasing rock ’n’ roll dreams with no limits. And now, over 40 years later, Doyle finds himself right back on the Varulven label for Demo That Got the Deal Compilation, Volume 6. Talk about a beautiful full-circle moment.

This new recording was brought to life with an incredible lineup of musicians. Mauro Magellan from The Georgia Satellites gives the track that signature upbeat drive on drums. Steve Greenwood adds Hammond organ, keyboards, and harmonies that bring a rich, vintage soul to the track. Willie Hammell shines with lead and rhythm guitars, and Billy Grubb ties everything together on bass and additional guitars. Recorded in the living room of Bobby’s historic 1884 Victorian home in Dubuque, Iowa, the song feels organic and alive, the acoustics capturing every bit of that old-school warmth.

Musically, this track keeps the energy rolling non-stop. From the spirited guitar solo bridge to the organ solo that jumps in like a nod to classic jukebox-era hits, the song just moves. It feels like a dance floor glowing with neon lights, like a memory you didn’t know you still had. Doyle’s line, “Do you remember the day the music died? All we did was cry, cry, cry,” is beautifully placed, anchoring the song in the deep emotional truth of every music lover.

And let’s talk about that playful wop-bop-a-do-bam-boom. And “Where’s your blue suede shoes?” That’s pure gold, it’s Doyle tipping his hat to the legends who shaped him, while still making the moment completely his own. The entire song is a celebration of the artists of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, the Hit Makers who fueled his imagination and set him on this lifelong journey.

“Midnight Rockin’” ends with a smooth, satisfying guitar lick that fades into the distance, leaving you wishing the party wasn’t over. It’s the kind of track you replay immediately because it makes you feel good, plain and simple.

Through decades of performing, from Boston to the Midwest, from festivals to casinos, from the national touring days with The Torpedoes, Bobby Doyle has carried music like a loyal companion. He calls it a “Dance of Love, Passion, Sweat, and Tears,” and you can hear that devotion in every line he sings. Even after all these years, he’s still that kid from Roxbury Mission Hi, still carrying Boston with him “like a well-healed chip on my shoulder.”

“Midnight Rockin’” isn’t just a song, it’s a tribute, a celebration, a keepsake of youth polished by seasoned hands, and a reminder of how good real rock ’n’ roll can feel. This one’s a joy to listen to from start to finish. Let the music begin and let it keep going!