The song “In the Still of the Night” by The Five Satins was originally released in 1956 as a single, and that’s the date most music histories give as its first appearance.

When did “In the Still of the Night” originally come out?

There are actually two well‑known songs called “In the Still of the Night,” which can cause confusion. Here’s how they break down.

The Five Satins’ doo‑wop classic (most people’s reference)

  • The doo‑wop ballad “In the Still of the Night” (sometimes written “In the Still of the Nite”) was written by Fred Parris of The Five Satins.
  • It was first released as a single in 1956, originally on the small Standard Records label and then picked up by Ember Records later that year.
  • Recorded in the basement of St. Bernadette’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, it slowly grew into one of the defining slow‑dance songs of the 1950s.

So, if your question “When did In the Still of the Night originally come out” is about the famous doo‑wop hit by The Five Satins, the answer is 1956.

The Cole Porter standard with the same title

  • There is also a different song titled “In the Still of the Night,” written by composer Cole Porter for the MGM film Rosalie.
  • That song was published in 1937, and big‑band leader Tommy Dorsey’s version reached U.S. charts in the same year.

So if you meant the Cole Porter standard, its original release (publication) was 1937 , nearly two decades before the doo‑wop song.

Quick clarity: which one do you mean?

  • If you’re thinking of a 1950s doo‑wop slow dance, it’s the 1956 Five Satins track.
  • If you’re thinking of a classic American songbook standard associated with old Hollywood and big bands, it’s the 1937 Cole Porter song.

In casual conversation today, when people say “In the Still of the Night,” they most often mean the Five Satins’ 1956 doo‑wop hit—especially in nostalgia playlists, oldies radio, and TV/movie soundtracks.

Mini FAQ

  1. Was the Five Satins song a big hit right away?
    It took time to build through radio play but eventually charted nationally in the U.S. and became a staple of 1950s doo‑wop compilations.
  1. Why is it sometimes spelled “Nite”?
    Reissues and track lists often use “In the Still of the Nite,” but it refers to the same 1956 song; the alternate spelling was a stylistic choice.
  1. Have there been notable covers?
    Numerous artists have covered the Five Satins’ song over the decades, helping keep the 1956 recording and its era in public memory.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.