In 1960, the group known as The Four Lovers evolved into The Four Seasons. Its initial line-up featured Frankie Valli as the lead singer, Bob Gaudio (formerly of The Royal Teens) on keyboards and tenor vocals, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar and baritone vocals, and Nick Massi on bass guitar and bass vocals. Massi was replaced in 1965 by Charles Calello, who was in turn replaced later in 1965 by Joe Long on bass guitar and bass vocals.
Frankie Valli and Tommy DeVito had previously performed with Nick DeVito (Tommy's twin brother) alongside Hank Majewski as the aforementioned Four Lovers. As stated before, the Four Seasons released their first hit, titled "Sherry", in 1962. Under the guidance of producer and songwriter Bob Crewe, The Four Seasons followed up "Sherry" with several well-remembered hits, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Dawn", "Walk Like a Man", "Candy Girl" and "Save It for Me". Nick Massi left the Four Seasons in 1965 and was replaced by Joe Long, who became the mainstay on bass and backup vocals until 1976. Several more Top 10 singles followed, including "Let's Hang On", "Working My Way Back To You", "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and "C'mon Marianne"; but by late 1967, the group's popularity was deteriorating, as public interest moved towards rock with a harder edge and more socially conscious lyrics. The group would, however, enjoy a brief revival in their popularity in the mid-1970s, with the hits "Who Loves You", "Swearin' to God" and their last number one hit "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)". Don Ciccone was a member of the Four Seasons in 1976 and was lead vocal on several songs, such as "Slip Away", "Let's Get It Right" and "Rhapsody". He played lead guitar.
The Four Seasons (group members 1961-1965) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. Jersey Boys, a musical play based on the lives of The Four Seasons, directed by Des McAnuff (The Who's Tommy, 700 Sundays) premiered at his La Jolla (California) Playhouse and opened on Broadway on November 6, 2005 to generally positive reviews. It won 2006 Tony Awards for Best Leading and Featured Actor in a Musical won by John Lloyd Young & Christian Hoff, Best Light Design in a Musical and Best Musical.
The group's music was one of many influences to the Jersey Shore sound of the 1970's and 1980's. However, by the 1980s, Frankie Valli was the only original group member left. Frankie Valli still tours today, performing many of The Four Seasons classic songs. Nick Massi died in 2000 of cancer. Despite Joe Long's extensive contributions to The Four Seasons, Joe Long remains the only member of the group's “definitive line-up” not inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, most likely because he was not in the original group. Much controversy still exists over this decision, especially in light of the many top-10 hits the group had during his tenure.
December 1963
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Late December back in sixty three
What a very special time for me
As I remember, what a night
Oh, what a night, you know I didn't even know her name
But I was never gonna be the same
What a lady, what a night
Oh, I, I got a funny feelin' when she walked in the room
And my, as I recall it ended much too soon
Oh what a night, hypnotizin' mesmerizing me
She was ev'rything I dreamed she'd be
Sweet surrender, what a night
I felt a rush like a rollin' ball of thunder
Spinnin' my head around and takin' my body under
Oh, what a night
Oh, I, I got a funny feelin' when she walked in the room
And my, as I recall it ended much too soon
Oh, what a night
Why'd it take so long to see the light?
Seemed so wrong, but now it seems so right
What a lady, what a night
Oh I felt a rush like a rollin' ball of thunder
Spinnin' my head around and takin' my body under
Oh what a night
Do-do-do, do-do-do
Do-do-do-do, oh what a night
Do-do-do, do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do, oh what a night
Do-do-do, do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do, oh what a night
Do-do-do, do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do, oh what a night
The lyrics to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons's song "December 1963" describe the singer reminiscing about a magical night that he experienced in late December of 1963. He begins by exclaiming "Oh, what a night," and reflects on how special of a time it was for him. He goes on to recall that he didn't even know the woman's name who he met that night, but he knew that everything was going to change for him from then on. She was a "lady" who mesmerized and hypnotized him, everything he had dreamed of, leading to a feeling of "sweet surrender." He describes the rush of emotions and sensations he felt when she entered the room, like a "rollin' ball of thunder" that spun his head around and took over his body.
Towards the end of the song, the singer wonders why it took him so long to realize that the night he experienced was so right, even though it felt wrong at first. The song ends with the catchy chorus that repeats the lyrics "Oh, what a night," accompanied by the background vocals and music.
Overall, "December 1963" is a nostalgic and romantic song that celebrates a magical night in the singer's life, highlighting the power of love and its ability to transform even the most regular of nights into unforgettable ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, what a night
The narrator reflects on a special time in his life.
Late December back in sixty three
The exact time period in which the memories occurred is specified.
What a very special time for me
The memories are significant to the narrator.
As I remember, what a night
The narrator looks back fondly on the experience.
Oh, what a night, you know I didn't even know her name
The narrator met a woman who left a lasting impression on him, despite not knowing her name.
But I was never gonna be the same
This woman had a profound impact on the narrator.
What a lady, what a night
The narrator is impressed by the woman he met and the experience they shared.
Oh, I, I got a funny feelin' when she walked in the room
The narrator experienced a sudden and unexplainable feeling when he first saw the woman.
And my, as I recall it ended much too soon
The narrator wishes that the experience could have lasted longer.
Oh what a night, hypnotizin' mesmerizing me
The narrator felt completely captivated by the woman he met.
She was ev'rything I dreamed she'd be
The woman lived up to the narrator's expectations.
Sweet surrender, what a night
The narrator gave in to the experience completely and found it incredibly enjoyable.
I felt a rush like a rollin' ball of thunder
The narrator experienced an intense physical and emotional reaction to the woman and the experience they shared.
Spinnin' my head around and takin' my body under
The narrator was completely consumed by the experience and lost all control.
Why'd it take so long to see the light?
The narrator wonders why he didn't pursue this type of experience sooner.
Seemed so wrong, but now it seems so right
Initially, the narrator may have felt hesitant or unsure about the experience, but now he realizes it was the right choice.
Oh I felt a rush like a rollin' ball of thunder
The narrator experienced an intense physical and emotional reaction to the woman and the experience they shared.
Do-do-do, do-do-do
This is a musical interlude.
Do-do-do-do, oh what a night
This is a continuation of the musical interlude with a reference to the memorable experience.
Do-do-do, do-do-do
This is another musical interlude.
Do-do-do-do-do-do, oh what a night
This is a continuation of the musical interlude with a reference to the memorable experience.
Do-do-do, do-do-do
This is another musical interlude.
Do-do-do-do-do-do, oh what a night
This is a continuation of the musical interlude with a reference to the memorable experience.
Do-do-do, do-do-do
This is another musical interlude.
Do-do-do-do-do-do, oh what a night
This is a continuation of the musical interlude with a reference to the memorable experience.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Gaudio, Judy Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bff
Lyrics:
Oh, what a night
Late December back in sixty three
What a very special time for me
As I remember, what a night
Oh, what a night, you know I didn't even know her name
But I was never gonna be the same
What a lady, what a night
Oh, I, I got a funny feelin' when she walked in the room
And my, as I recall it ended much too soon
Oh what a night, hypnotizin' mesmerizing me
She was ev'rything I dreamed she'd be
Sweet surrender, what a night
I felt a rush like a rollin' ball of thunder
Spinnin' my head around and takin' my body under
Oh, what a night
Oh, I, I got a funny feelin' when she walked in the room
And my, as I recall it ended much too soon
Oh, what a night
Why'd it take so long to see the light?
Seemed so wrong, but now it seems so right
What a lady, what a night
Oh I felt a rush like a rollin' ball of thunder
Spinnin' my head around and takin' my body under
Oh what a night
Do-do-do, do-do-do
Do-do-do-do, oh what a night
Do-do-do, do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do, oh what a night
Do-do-do, do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do, oh what a night
Do-do-do, do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do, oh what a night
MegaSkills9
I don't think the drummer got enough credit for this song. His voice is great. Frankie Valli just sang the chorus.
Michael Shaughnessy
CORRECT
Frederick Haaken
Gerry Polci
Rishi Ramkissoon
I literally just found out it was him all along lol
Liam Thomas
Frankies tone does it though when he comes in.
slyjokerg
It is more of a bridge than a chorus. Ironically, this is one of their best songs, and Frankie was hardly in it. I remember seeing/hearing that there was something wrong with his voice at the time this was recorded, so he could only participate in a limited fashion.
Liza B Hopson
The drummer, Gerry Polci, is absolutely amazing, sents my rockets to the moon. I was 28 when he started with the Four Seaons and I am now 76 and still can't get enough of listening.
Albert Chehade
me2
Veronica C.
Is this the only song he sings with The Four Seasons?
Steve V
And Frankie is also still rocking- and hitting those high notes- at 88!