In The Wee Small Hours: First Concept Album?

The first concept album is a debate that will possibly never end. The phrase picked up heavy traction when The Beatles dropped Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hears Club Band (1967) and critics praised it as the first true concept album ever. Many have also called The Who's Tommy (1969) the first concept album as well as Days of Future Passed (1967) by The Moody Blues. However, others such as myself, believe that In The Wee Small Hours (1955) is actually the first true concept album. The album perfectly captures that weird melancholy time from around midnight to the early hours in the morning. The album was also a huge departure from Sinatra's other more radio-ready work.

So now you know what is considered the first concept album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hears Club Band, and you know what others such as myself consider the first concept album, In The Wee Small Hours. However, I think it's time we learned what exactly a concept album is. Merriam-Webster defines a concept album as "a collection of songs about a specific theme or story." If that is the true definition of the word "concept album" then In The Wee Small Hours surely must qualify as the first or at least to have done it before The Beatles.

So what is exactly is the story or theme behind In The Wee Small Hours? Frank Sinatra is now known as a pop icon but there was a time in his life when his career was declining. Columbia Records took notice and dropped him from their label. He was later signed by a different record label, Capitol Records, to a seven year deal. The two records he recorded on this deal along with his acting in the film, From Here to Eternity, led to his resurgence in popularity. His next album, however, had a plan. He wouldn't just package his latest hits into his next album. Instead, he sought out to make a concept album about lost love. The album's inspiration would be drawn from his many failed relationships such as his breakup from his wife, Nancy Barbato, on Valentine's Day 1950. Then his relationsip with Ava Gardner which turned into a marriage 10 days after his divorce from Nancy Barbato ended due to both having extramarital affairs. The record also featured an album cover with a sad Frank Sinatra smoking a cigarette. Frank Sinatra clearly wanted this album to be regarded as a work of art because he also recorded the album on a 12-inch record which at the time was unheard of for a pop album. And one last little detail, this album was released 65 years ago today to the date.