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.





