In the Wee Small Hours is the ninth studio album by American
vocalist Frank Sinatra. It was released in April 1955 on
Capitol Records, produced by
Voyle Gilmore with arrangements by
Nelson Riddle. All the songs on the album deal with specific themes such as loneliness, introspection, lost love, failed relationships, depression and
night-life; as a result,
In the Wee Small Hours has been called one of the first
concept albums. The cover artwork reflects these themes, portraying Sinatra on an eerie and deserted street awash in blue-tinged street lights. He had been developing this idea since 1946 with his first album release,
The Voice; he would successfully continue this "concept" formula with later albums such as
Songs for Swingin' Lovers! and
Only the Lonely.