Close your eyes and drift back to a 1956 Connecticut church basement where a group of high school friends — The Five Satins — recorded a song that would echo through the decades: “In the Still of the Night.” In this episode of Dustbin Prophecies, we uncover how one simple ballad of love and longing became one of the most enduring songs in American pop history.

We’ll explore how lead singer Fred Parris, inspired by a fleeting romance before shipping out for military service, poured his heart into the lyrics and melody — crafting a tune that would help define the doo-wop sound. From its haunting echo to its unforgettable “doo-wop, doo-wah” refrain, this song didn’t just top charts — it shaped a genre.

Dustbin Prophecies: digging through the forgotten corners of rock history — one record at a time