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 βdefinitive line-upβ 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.
Silence Is Golden
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To see someone do something to her
Oh don't it pain to see someone cry
How especially if that someone is her
Silence is golden, but my eyes still see
Silence is golden, golden, but my eyes still see
Even though there is no where to go
How could she tell he deceived her so well
Pity she'll be the last one to know
How many times will she fall for his lines
Should I tell her or should I be cool
And if I tried I know she'd say I lied
Mind your business don't hurt her you fool
Silence is golden, but my eyes still see
Silence is golden, golden, but my eyes still see
In "Silence Is Golden," Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons sing about the pain of watching someone they care about being hurt or deceived by another person. The lyrics are characterized by a sense of frustration and helplessness, as the singer is torn between wanting to intervene and being told to mind their own business. The title of the song, "Silence Is Golden," is a reference to the idea that sometimes it is better to keep quiet and not get involved, even if it means bearing witness to someone else's suffering.
The first verse captures the heartbreak of watching someone cry and suffer, particularly if that person is a loved one. The second verse takes a more philosophical approach, suggesting that talking is cheap and people often follow blindly, even when there is nowhere to go. The final verse reveals the singer's internal struggle as they debate whether to speak up and warn their friend or stay silent and avoid causing harm. Through it all, the refrain of "silence is golden" underscores the idea that sometimes the best course of action is simply to stay quiet.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh don't it hurt deep inside
Isn't it painful to feel so deeply emotionally
To see someone do something to her
To witness someone causing her harm or hurt
Oh don't it pain to see someone cry
Isn't it heart wrenching to see someone in tears
How especially if that someone is her
It is particularly hard if that person crying is her
Silence is golden, but my eyes still see
It's best to stay quiet, but I can't help noticing things
Talking is cheap people follow like sheep
People are easily led by words and actions
Even though there is no where to go
There is no clear way out of the situation
How could she tell he deceived her so well
It's difficult for her to recognize he has lied so convincingly
Pity she'll be the last one to know
Unfortunate that she will be the last to realize the truth
How many times will she fall for his lines
She has been in this situation before and been deceived
Should I tell her or should I be cool
Do I intervene or stay out of it
And if I tried I know she'd say I lied
She would dismiss me as a liar if I told her the truth
Mind your business don't hurt her you fool
Stay out of it and avoid causing her more pain
Silence is golden, but my eyes still see
It's best to stay quiet, but I can't help noticing things
Silence is golden, golden, but my eyes still see
Staying quiet is valuable, but I can't ignore what I'm witnessing
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BOB CREWE, BOB GAUDIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@perseusjoppa426
It's funny (and sad) how some people in the comments think this a Tremeloes' original when it's not. THIS is the original Silence Is Golden from 1964, written by Bob Gaudio (original Four Seasons member, genius songwriter) and Bob Crewe (longtime producer and songwriter of The Four Seasons). The cover version of The Tremeloes was released in 1967, three years after this sublime gem here. Like I commented about a couple of years ago, no one does it like The Four Seasons.
@Nestor123057
It's the same thing with "Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye)" I would wager most people on YouTube would say it was a Bay City Rollers original, which it isn't, of course.
@sjmoss148
I bought the Rag Doll single when it was first released. I turned it over and played this......many times! It still sounds brilliant!
@marycallender5200
It should have been a hit as well. Still listening in 2023. Love the group.
@cindywhite6718
I'm 43 but I definitely born in the wrong era. Grew up to this beautiful music πΆ β€
@yippeeyokai5750
I'm 43 too and grew up on this music as well.
@colindobson4002
I am 70 and was very lucky to grow up with this music.
@barryscaping984
The original and best version,
@dustermaniac
Saw Frankie last night in Modesto Ca , He did this song and all the others and he was AWESOME!!!!! God bless him at 85 yrs old still rocking strong!!!
@bennettostrov3652
Saw him in Tel Aviv..he didn't lose a thing