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.
Peanuts
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dit-dit, dooby-do-wah
Dit-dit, dooby-do-waah
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
Peanuts, girl you my love
I love ya, love ya
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
Peanuts, girl you my love
I love ya, love ya
And I'll never let you go
Oh, I love you peanuts
With all my heart and mind
Mad about you, although it's insane
Crazy 'bout you baby
Love to call your name
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
Peanuts, girl you my love
I love ya, love ya
And I'll never let you go
Oh, I love ya, love ya, peanuts
With all my heart and mind
Mad about you, although it's insane
Crazy 'bout you baby
Love to call your name
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
Peanuts, girl you my love
I love ya, love ya
And I'll never let you go
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
The lyrics to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons's song "Peanuts" seem to express a strong romantic attachment to someone referred to as "peanuts." The repeated chorus "Peanuts, girl you my love, I love ya, love ya, and I'll never let you go" reinforces this idea of a deep infatuation or love, with the use of "girl" adding further specificity to the lyrics. The verses, while maintaining the central theme of love, also contain lines that convey a sense of obsession or irrationality in the singer's feelings, such as "Mad about you, although it's insane, crazy 'bout you baby, love to call your name." The use of phrases like "mad" and "crazy" could imply a sense of being consumed by one's emotions, which could suggest a potentially unhealthy or unstable relationship dynamic.
The use of the repeated "dit-dit, dooby-do-wah" refrain adds a catchy and playful element to the song, which could serve to contrast with the potentially heavier implications of the lyrics. The repeated "peanuts" chant further emphasizes the focus of the song's message, while also giving the song a fun and lighthearted quality. Overall, "Peanuts" portrays a mixture of intense affection and irrationality, which could reflect common experiences in romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Dit-dit, dooby-do-wah
The repetition of these sounds is meaningless and serves as a catchy intro.
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
The word 'peanuts' is a term of endearment used by the singer to address his love interest.
Peanuts, girl you my love
The singer professes his love for the girl, using 'peanuts' as a nickname term of affection.
I love ya, love ya
The singer repeats the phrase to emphasize his feelings of love for the girl.
And I'll never let you go
The singer promises to never leave or abandon his love interest.
Oh, I love you peanuts
The singer reiterates his affection for the girl using the nickname 'peanuts,' implying she is sweet and small like the snack.
With all my heart and mind
The singer emphasizes the depth of his love for the girl, saying it comes from both his heart and mind.
Mad about you, although it's insane
The singer admits that his love for the girl may be seen as irrational or crazy, yet he cannot help but feel that way.
Crazy 'bout you baby
The singer again states his strong feelings for the girl, using a term often used to describe being infatuated with someone.
Love to call your name
The singer enjoys saying the girl's name, as it reminds him of his love for her.
Peanuts, ah, ah, ah-ah
The repetition of the word 'peanuts' again serves to emphasize the nickname as the singer's preferred term of endearment for the girl.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Joseph Cook
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind