What makes Midwestern Saturday Night by Susan Werner notable?

The album received positive critical acclaim, particularly from folk music circles, earning Werner a dedicated fanbase. Its exploration of themes relevant to the American Midwest influenced subsequent artists within the folk genre who embraced storytelling as a central element in their music. Released in 1993, Midwestern Saturday Night was Susan Werner's debut studio album, marking her first significant step into the music scene after years of performing in coffeehouses. This record established her presence in traditional folk music and set the stage for her later works, showcasing her knack for clever songwriting and melodic crafting.

How many songs are on Midwestern Saturday Night?

Midwestern Saturday Night has 10 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Midwestern Saturday Night

Susan Werner · 1993

39 min · 10 tracks · traditional folk music

A warm blend of folk storytelling and introspective melodies that reflect the charm and quirks of Midwestern life.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Midwestern Saturday Night — This title track encapsulates the album's essence, blending vivid imagery with an infectious rhythm that celebrates the simplicity and beauty of small-town life.
→
Born a Little Late (The Baby Boomer Song) — This track cleverly critiques generational expectations with wit and humor, making it a standout representation of Werner's lyrical prowess and social commentary.
→
I Still Believe — A poignant reflection on hope and resilience, this song demonstrates Werner's ability to weave deep emotional narratives into her folk-inspired melodies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and performance but remains within familiar folk territory.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of acoustic instrumentation, primarily guitar and piano, which supports the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.
Several tracks incorporate narrative verses that build character and setting, particularly in 'Born a Little Late' and 'Uncle John'.
The tempo varies across tracks, with some like 'Rubber Glove Blues' adopting a more upbeat feel while others, such as 'Lullabye for One', slow down to create intimacy.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 So Heavy 3:48
2 Born a Little Late (The Baby Boomer Song) 2:59
3 Midwestern Saturday Night 5:31
4 I Still Believe 5:23
5 Rubber Glove Blues 2:46
6 Lullabye for One 4:11
7 Uncle John 2:35
8 The Great Out There 3:44
9 Maybe If I Sang Cole Porter 4:41
10 Shadow Dancing 4:00

What to play next

Listen next

Last of the Good Straight Girls

1995

Go back to

Eight Unnecessary Songs (And An Odd Little Hymn)

Full Susan Werner discography Artists like Susan Werner

traditional folk music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata