In 1960, the group known as The Four Lovers evolved into The Four Seasons, with 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.
The Four Seasons and the Beach Boys were virtually the only American groups whose successful careers were not derailed when the Beatles and the British Invasion bands hit the States in 1964. In fact, 1964 ranks as the Four Seasons' biggest year of all, despite the insurgency from abroad, which attests to their durability and appeal among America's teenagers. That appeal stemmed from the Four Seasons' ability to complement spotless Italian-American doo-wop harmonies with the forceful falsetto and three-octave range of lead vocalist Frankie Valli - the other members were Bob Gaudio on keyboards and tenor vocals, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar and baritone vocals, Gerry Polci on drums, and Nick Massi on bass guitar and bass vocals. Frankie Valli and Tommy DeVito previously performed with Nick DeVito (Tommy's twin brother) and Hank Majewski as the Four Lovers. later on the Four Season where heavley shaped by the songwriting of band member Bob Gaudio, with arrangements and production that drew upon everything from Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" to the danceable beat of Motown's pop/R&B singles. During a hitmaking streak that spanned the years 1962-68, the Four Seasons netted two dozen Top Forty singles, including the Number One hits "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man" and "Rag Doll." They've sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them the most successful white doo-wop group in rock and roll history.
At their peak, the Four Seasons made recordings that expressed the tough-but-tender sensibility of their home turf in the Northeast much in the way the Beach Boys encapsulated the world of Southern California in harmony and song. In the words of Billy Joel, a longtime fan who grew up listening to them on Long Island, "The Four Seasons had wonderful chord progressions, beautiful writing, terrific production fantastic harmony, records that really spoke to us."
The band released their first hit "Sherry" in 1962. Under the guidance of producer/songwriter Bob Crewe, The Four Seasons followed up "Sherry" with several well-remembered hits, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man" and "Candy Girl". In the mid 1960s, the British Invasion slowed down their career somewhat, but the Four Seasons released several more big hits in 1964, such as "Dawn", "Rag Doll", which was the first single on WABC Radio, New York to be "pick hit of the week" one week and the number 1 single the following week, "Big Man in Town", "Ronnie" 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 band 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)".
Ain't That a Shame
The Four Seasons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You made me cry
When you said goodbye
Ain't that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain't that a shame?
Yeah, yeah
Girl, you broke my heart
When you said we'll part
Ain't that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain't that a shame?
You're the one to blame
Yeah, oh c'mon, c'mon
Oh well, goodbye
Although I'll cry
Ain't that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain't that a shame?
You're the one to blame
Shame, shame
C'mon now
Oh well, goodbye
Although I'll cry
Ain't that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain't that a shame?
You're the one to blame
Shame, ain't that a shame?
Shame, ain't that a shame?
Shame, ain't that a shame?
Shame [Incomprehensible]
Shame, ain't that a shame?
The Four Seasons's song Ain't That a Shame is a classic example of a heartbreaking love song. The lyrics speak about the pain and hurt caused by a relationship ending, and the singer's tears that fell like rain. The chorus repeats the phrase "Ain't That a Shame?" to emphasize the feeling of sadness and disappointment. The song's melody is simple yet soulful, with the crescendo of the chorus driving home the emotional impact of the lyrics.
The song was released in 1963 as part of The Four Seasons's album Ain't That a Shame and 11 Others. It was a cover of Fats Domino's original song released in 1955, but The Four Seasons added their signature harmonies and pop flair to make it their own. The song quickly became a hit, reaching number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Interestingly, The Four Seasons, despite being known for upbeat pop songs like "Sherry" and "Walk Like a Man," had a propensity for recording ballads and melancholic love songs. "Ain't That a Shame" was reflective of this style and listeners connected with the raw emotion conveyed in the lyrics.
Overall, The Four Seasons's song Ain't That a Shame is a poignant reminder of the pain of lost love and the power of music to capture and convey our deepest emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Shame, ain't that a shame
The situation is unfortunate and regrettable
You made me cry
Your actions caused me great emotional pain
When you said goodbye
Your decision to end our relationship hurt me deeply
Ain't that a shame?
Isn't it unfortunate and regrettable that things turned out this way?
My tears fell like rain
I cried profusely, unable to control my emotions
You're the one to blame
You are responsible for causing my heartache and sadness
Girl, you broke my heart
Your actions caused irreparable damage to my emotional well-being
When you said we'll part
Your decision to end our relationship left me feeling broken
Oh well, goodbye
Even though I am deeply saddened by this outcome, I must accept it
Although I'll cry
I will continue to feel emotional pain and sadness even after our parting
Shame, shame
The unfortunate situation is cause for great disappointment and disapproval
C'mon now
Encouragement for the listener to join in and express their own feelings on the matter
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Antoine Domino, Dave Bartholomew
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind