1… Read Full Bio ↴Musical groups in three genres have shared the name The Four Aces.
1. The Aces, initially known as "The Four Aces" were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker, but who also recorded without him. The initial line-up of the Aces was Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. The producer employed the group as backing singers for Dekker, recording many hits with him including "The King of Ska" (where they were credited as His Cherry Pies), "Get Up Adinah" (on which they were credited as the Four Aces"), huge hits such as "007 (Shanty Town)" and "Israelites", and the winner of the 1968 Festival Song Contest, "Music Like Dirt". By 1967 the only remaining original member was Barry Howard, along with Winston Samuels. Dekker's international success led to overseas tours, but the Aces were not taken along, Samuels refusing to fly, stating "Rastas did not fly on iron birds", and Barry Howard having already decided to emigrate to the United States. Instead they stayed in Jamaica and recorded without Dekker. They had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette", and by 1971 the line-up had again changed, with Barry now rejoined by Carl Howard. A string of hits followed with "Reggae Motion", "Take a Look", "Oh I Miss You", Call Me Number One", "Be My Baby", and "Sad Sad Song", and they had a near hit in the pop charts in 1973 with "Working on it Night and Day". Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street".
2. An American singing quartet which was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001. The group is well-known for a plethora of hits, including: "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing", " Three Coins in the Fountain", "Stranger in Paradise", "Shangri-La", "Perfidia". All of the group's major hits were first performed by the original four members: Al Alberts (originally Albertini), Dave Mahoney, Lou Silvestri, and Rosario "Sod" Vaccaro. Although all were from Chester, Pennsylvania, Alberts and Mahoney actually met in the Navy. They formed a duo, with Alberts singing and Mahoney playing behind him. Later adding Vaccaro on trumpet and Silvestri on drums, the group played in the Philadelphia area. When they could not find a label which would release their record, "(It's No) Sin," Alberts started his own label, Victoria Records. "(It's No) Sin" sold a million copies! DECCA Records soon signed the group, billing them as The Four Aces Featuring Al Alberts. In 1956, Alberts left The Four Aces to try to make it as a soloist, but never made the charts. He was replaced as lead singer by Fred Diodati, another Philadelphia product. Over the years, as the remaining original members left, Diodati chose new singers to replace them. The right to "The Four Aces" name eventually landed in court. In 1975, Diodati was awarded the right to the name and continued to tour under it. The founding members, who again wanted to tour, were allowed to use the name, "The Original Four Aces, Featuring Al Alberts." The latter group retired in 1987. The Four Aces are still touring. (A link to their appearances is listed below.)
3. Cajun fiddler Leo Soileau was the second Cajun musician to record his works. This occurred in the late 1930s. The Four Aces was the name of his second string band (the first had been The Rhythm Boys). Soileau reitred from music in the 1940s with the demise of the string band sound.
shine On
The Four Aces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
January, February, June, or July
I said January, February, June, or July
Shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky
I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June, or
July ah ah aha
Snow time ain't no time to sit outdoors and spoon
So Shine on, shine on harvest moon for me 'n' my gal
MONOLOGUE:
So, shine on, shine on harvest moon w up in the sky.
I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June, AND
July?
Now, looka here a don't you know better than to set out
There in the snow 'n' spoon?
C'mon, I don't want no half moon, I want a full moon.
Oh, won't you shine on, shine on harvest moon(shine on,
Shine on)
Up in the sky? (shine on)
I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June, or
July
(Ah-ooba, ah-ooba, ah-ooba, ah-ooh)
Don't you know you're gonna freeze to death
Settin' out there in the snow tryin' to spoon?
So shine on, shine on harvest moon for me 'n' my gal
Yeah!
The Four Aces's hit, "Shine On Harvest Moon," was released in 1950 and quickly became a classic American tune. The song starts with the lyrics "January, February, June, or July" and while this may seem like a random selection of months, it's actually highlighting that the main character hasn't had any love in quite some time. The line "I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June, or July" suggests that he hasn't had any love all year round, which ultimately makes him yearn for more.
The monologue which follows is a plea for a "full moon" and not a "half moon," indicating that the main character wants more than just a fleeting romantic encounter. The line "So shine on, shine on harvest moon for me 'n' my gal" reinforces that he wants a long-term romantic relationship as he's not just searching for love for himself but also for his significant other.
Overall, "Shine On Harvest Moon" is a timeless classic about love and longing. The song highlights the importance of finding real love and not just fleeting romances.
Line by Line Meaning
Shine On Harvest Moon
Let the harvest moon shine in the sky
January, February, June, or July
Any month of the year, but specifically those with no significant holidays/events
I said January, February, June, or July
Reiterating that any month is fine
Shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky
Repeat of the first line
I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June, or July ah ah aha
I have not been intimate with anyone in months, regardless of which month it is
Snow time ain't no time to sit outdoors and spoon
It's too cold to cuddle outside in the snow
So Shine on, shine on harvest moon for me 'n' my gal
Please let the moon shine so my partner and I can have a romantic evening inside
C'mon, I don't want no half moon, I want a full moon.
I want a bright and round moon, not a half moon
Oh, won't you shine on, shine on harvest moon(shine on, Shine on)
Please let the moon continue to shine brightly
Up in the sky? (shine on)
Is the moon shining in the sky?
Don't you know you're gonna freeze to death Settin' out there in the snow tryin' to spoon?
It's too cold to be outside, and trying to cuddle in the snow will be uncomfortable
So shine on, shine on harvest moon for me 'n' my gal
Please let the moon continue to shine so my partner and I can stay warm inside
Ah-ooba, ah-ooba, ah-ooba, ah-ooh
Nonsense syllables used for emphasis
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael E. Renzi, Nora Bayes-Norworth, Jack Norworth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Morgen Oghmanann
Shine On, Harvest Moon
Rosemary Clooney
Shine on harvest moon
Up in the sky
I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June or July
Snow time ain't no time to stay outdoors and spoon
So shine on
Shine on harvest moon for me and my gal
Snow time ain't no time to stay outdoors and spoon
So shine on
Shine on harvest moon for me and my gal
The night was mighty dark so you could hardly see
For the moon refused to shine
Couple sitting underneath the willow tree
For love, they pined
Little May was kinda 'fraid of darkness
So she says "I guess I'll go."
Boy began to sigh, looked up to the sky
Told the sky his little tale of woe
So shine on
So shine on
Shine on harvest moon for me and my gal
Snow time ain't no time to stay outdoors and spoon
So shine on
Shine on harvest moon
for me and my gal
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Gerald Casale / Mark Allen Mothersbaugh
Shine On, Harvest Moon lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc
Timo
This is a very good version.
The Four Aces were an awesome quartet, that's for sure.
Jaylu Vonde
Agreed
Bugleboy 452
Four Aces were so good and they put their stamp on this very old classic
Jorge Mario Rodas
I had not heard this song since I was a kid nine or ten years old when it was frequently played in the radio. Just by chance I clicked on it and it is a nice song and good to hear. Now I hear it I remember when I attended third and fourth grade of Elementary School. Nice remembrances of childhood I had forgotten till I heard this song.
jytte thagaard nielsen
Wonderful record from my childhood!!!
Jaylu Vonde
Beautiful music.
Fred Pickett
Love this music/Such good harmony.
Juanita Francisquini
Love this song takes me back to my teens. ❤😍
Jennifer Smallin
Love this!!
Werner Diesel Fuentes
magnífica versión de este clásico.