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.
C'mon Marianne
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whoa ho ho here I am on my knees again
I'll do anything just to make it right
Say you'll understand, oh I know you can
C'mon Marianne
No matter what people say, it didn't happen that way
Say you'll understand, oh I know you can
C'mon Marianne (baby)
C'mon Marianne (baby)
C'mon Marianne (baby)
Say you can understand
My Marianne, Marianne, Marianne, Marianne
Well now your big brown eyes are all full of tears
From the bitterness of my cheatin' years
So I hang my head, wish that I was dead
C'mon Marianne (baby)
C'mon Marianne (baby)
C'mon Marianne (baby)
Say you can understand
My Marianne (baby)
C'mon Marianne (baby)
C'mon Marianne (baby)
Marianne, Marianne, Marianne, Marianne
The lyrics to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons' song "C'mon Marianne" revolve around the singer's desire to make amends with his lover, Marianne, after cheating on her. He acknowledges the pain he has caused her and is asking for forgiveness, promising to do anything to make things right again. He assures her that it wasn't a permanent thing and that she should understand his mistake.
The chorus repeatedly calls out Marianne's name as a plea for her to forgive him. The second verse describes the aftermath of his infidelity, with Marianne's tears causing him to feel remorseful and ashamed. The song ends as it began, with the singer on his knees begging for forgiveness.
The lyrics of "C'mon Marianne" are emotive and introspective, allowing the listener to empathize with the singer's predicament. The repetition of Marianne's name in the chorus shows how important she is to him and reinforces the need for her forgiveness. The song is ultimately about the power of love and the desire to overcome mistakes in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Marianne, Marianne, Marianne, Marianne
The singer repeats Marianne's name to emphasize his plea to her.
Whoa ho ho here I am on my knees again
The singer is apologizing and asking for forgiveness.
I'll do anything just to make it right
The singer is willing to take any action necessary to fix the situation.
Say you'll understand, oh I know you can
The singer believes Marianne is capable of understanding and forgiving him.
C'mon Marianne
The singer urges Marianne to forgive him and move forward in their relationship.
No matter what people say, it didn't happen that way
The singer is denying rumors and insisting that his affair was not serious.
She was a passing fling and not a permanent thing
The woman he cheated with was only a temporary distraction and not someone he intended to pursue a relationship with.
Well now your big brown eyes are all full of tears
Marianne is upset and crying over the singer's infidelity.
From the bitterness of my cheatin' years
The singer acknowledges that his past behavior is the cause of Marianne's pain.
So I hang my head, wish that I was dead
The singer is ashamed of his actions and feels guilty.
My Marianne, Marianne, Marianne, Marianne
The singer uses Marianne's name again to show that he is addressing her directly.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: L RUSSELL BROWN, RAYMOND BLOODWORTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JakeMcClake2
I remember this song from the late Spring of 1967. It was a time I looked forward to, for a long time. I did not like the fall of 1966, I felt Spring was too far away. When this song came out, I felt, that it finally happened. We made it though the frightening Fall of 1966 and Winter of 1967 and although things were quite different, for me, it was finally June. I wanted very much for 1967 to be a good year. In June 1967, it looked to me that it would be a good year.
But suddenly things changed on July 1, 1967, and between July 1, 1967, and August 5, 1967, the year became quite terrifying for me, as it seems I became a very hated person and I was in one fight after another during that period.
Well that is the way I remembered it.
My Father predicted that this would take place and I did not wish to listen to him and did not want him to be right.
But...he was.
Fighting was not something, I liked to do, at that time.
I moved to a new neighborhood at that time, and, in 1967, I was the new kid on the block.
Roy LaFountain
For those of you just getting turned on to the 4-Seasons, take the time and check out their ENTIRE catalog! Truly, one of America's greatest groups!!!!
Diane Wells
I named my daughter after this song. After hearing this song in the 10th grade I never got I got out of my mind. I just paid it for her boyfriend who is 50 years old, ain't never heard of this song
Dennis Mc laurin
Mary Ann( the 5-25-22 season 42 winner of Survivor) brought me here for this joyous fitting tribute
LA Railfan
I’m getting into the seasons, and this is the song that introduced me to them.
Staci F
LOVE Mr Valli and the Four Seasons. This song kicks ass. They do Jersey proud. Saw Frankie last year and he can still hit those high notes. God bless 'em.
Gwyneth Pound
This is one of their best songs ever.
Kevin Hilley
I've always thought these guys didn't quite get the respect they deserved as musical innovators. Love love LOVE this song. The backing vocals and that driving drum are fantastic!!! Saw "Jersey Boys" on Broadway with my wife for our 30th wedding anniversary this summer and can ABSOLUTELY recommend it!
Music Oldies
This song has got the best back-up vocals I've ever heard on any piece of music.
Michael Garbis
This is one of those songs I fell in love with the first time I heard it. I still don't know why I fell in love with it
TubeHeiress
I love this original version, heard it as a child and it has stuck with me ever since.