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.
Betrayed
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Lyrics
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When your best friend tells you that he saw your girl out with somebody new,
you believe that it's true, your best friend would never be lying to you.
How are you to know, how could you know,
he loves her too, he loves her too?
Betrayed, I was Betrayed, whoa whoa Betrayed.
He was always around, and just to impress her, he would put me down.
But old good natured me, I laughed off the things that he said about me.
Buddies till the end, he always said we'd be Buddies till the end,
What kind of friend is he, taking my girl,
when he knew that she meant the world to me?
Betrayed, I was Betrayed, I was Betrayed,
For as long as I live, I'll never forget her enough to forgive,
what he did to me, too late I see, I was Betrayed
Betrayed, I was Betrayed, whoa whoa Betrayed (fades)
Betrayal is a painful experience and one that can leave one feeling hurt and lost. Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons's song "Betrayed" is a narrative about the pain of betrayal. The song's lyrics revolve around the singer's shock and confusion when he discovers that his girlfriend has been seeing someone else. The confession comes from a friend, which makes the betrayal sting even more. The singer is perplexed as he had always trusted his friend, and never imagined he would be involved with his girlfriend. The singer tries to make sense of this new information, but he is left with nothing but feelings of hurt and abandonment.
The song's first verse sets the tone for the lyrics. The singer states that he has been betrayed and emphasizes that he was betrayed by someone he trusted. In the second verse, the singer talks about how his friend would put him down in front of his girlfriend to impress her. However, he never took it seriously and laughed off his friend's insults. It is clear in this part of the lyrics that the friend was always envious of the singer's relationship.
The chorus reiterates the betrayal felt by the singer. He feels an overwhelming sense of shock and confusion, and wonders what kind of a fool he has been. In the final verse, the singer acknowledges that he will never be able to forgive his friend for betraying him, and vows to remember the pain his friend caused him for the rest of his life.
Overall, "Betrayed" is a powerful song about the devastating effects of betrayal. The lyrics are relatable, as everyone has experienced feelings of betrayal at some point in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Betrayed, I was Betrayed, Betrayed, I was Betrayed,
Feeling deceived and misled, this line emphasizes the pain and hurt caused by someone who was trusted.
When your best friend tells you that he saw your girl out with somebody new,
The beginning of a tragic story where a best friend informs the singer about his girlfriend's unfaithful behavior.
you believe that it's true, your best friend would never be lying to you.
Explains the initial trust given to the best friend and the disbelief of any dishonesty coming from them.
How are you to know, how could you know,
This questioning of the situation highlights the confusion and lack of clarity in the aftermath of betrayal.
he loves her too, he loves her too?
The revelation that not only the girlfriend but also the best friend was in love with her brings a complex layer of betrayal and heartbreak.
Betrayed, I was Betrayed, whoa whoa Betrayed.
Repeating the first line of the song, the chorus reinforces the pain and shock of feeling betrayed.
He was always around, and just to impress her, he would put me down.
The best friend's destructive behavior towards the singer's relationship characterizes jealousy and envy.
But old good natured me, I laughed off the things that he said about me.
Despite the negativity and hurtful comments, the singer initially chose to overlook the best friend's mean-spirited behavior.
How much of a fool, what kind of fool, can one guy be, can one guy be?
This rhetorical question highlights the singer's self-doubt and inability to recognize the betrayal and deception around him.
Buddies till the end, he always said we'd be Buddies till the end,
The best friend's earlier obsession with their friendship becomes ironic and hypocritical in light of his actions.
What kind of friend is he, taking my girl,
Rhetorical questioning adds emphasis to the best friend's unforgivable transgressions.
when he knew that she meant the world to me?
The final clause highlights the depth of the betrayal and how the best friend disregarded the singer's feelings.
For as long as I live, I'll never forget her enough to forgive,
The memory of the girlfriend and best friend's deception permanently marks the singer's life, making it impossible to forgive or forget.
what he did to me, too late I see, I was Betrayed
The last line reiterates the song's main theme of betrayal and drives home the fact that, despite the pain, forgiveness is elusive and unlikely.
Betrayed, I was Betrayed, whoa whoa Betrayed (fades)
The repetition of the chorus fades out, leaving a lasting impression of heartbreak and disappointment at the hands of those closest to the singer.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DENNY RANDELL, SANDY LINZER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind