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)".
La Dee Dah
The Four Seasons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La dee dah, oh, boy
La dee dah, oh, boy
I'm glad, so glad, so glad
Glad you are you
I'm so lucky to be
No one else but me
It's true cause me got you
La dee dah, oh, boy
Let's go, cha cha cha
I feel so fine
Now that you are mine
Got a tingle
Up and down my spine
It's true cause me got you
La dee dah, oh, boy
Let's go, cha cha cha
You're my special angel
My be-bop baby
My little bitty pretty pet
You send me with your
Lotta loving lips sublime
I just want baby
To be my silhouette
Tonight, tonight
We're gonna go
From the ABC's
Through the XYZ's
Oh, no, it's true
Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh, boy
Cha cha cha
La dee dah, oh, boy
Let's go, cha cha cha
You're my special angel
My be-bop baby
My little bitty pretty pet
You send me with your
Lotta loving lips sublime
I just want baby
To be my silhouette
Tonight, tonight
We're gonna go
From the ABC's
Through the XYZ's
Oh, no, it's true
Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh, boy
Cha cha cha
La dee dah, oh, boy
Let's go, cha cha cha
La dee dah, oh, boy
Let's go, cha cha cha
The song "La Dee Dah" by The Four Seasons is a fun and upbeat love song that celebrates the joys of being in a relationship. The lyrics express gratitude for the other person, with lines like "I'm glad, so glad, so glad/Glad you are you" and "It's true cause me got you." The singer feels lucky to have found this person, and the happiness they feel together is palpable.
The chorus, with its repeated "La dee dah, oh boy" and call to "cha cha cha," adds to the upbeat feeling of the song, making it feel like a danceable celebration of love. The singer also describes their partner in loving terms, calling them "my special angel" and "my be-bop baby," and noting how their "loving lips sublime" send them tingling.
Overall, "La Dee Dah" is a simple but joyful song that celebrates love and the happiness that comes with being in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
La dee dah, oh, boy
Expressing excitement and joy about being with someone special
I'm glad, so glad, so glad
Feeling immense happiness and gratefulness
Glad you are you
Appreciating the uniqueness and individuality of the person they are with
I'm so lucky to be
Feeling fortunate and privileged to be themselves
No one else but me
Embracing their own identity and being content with who they are
It's true cause me got you
Asserting that their happiness and satisfaction is because of their companion
Let's go, cha cha cha
Inviting their companion to engage in joyful activities with them
I feel so fine
Experiencing joyful emotions
Now that you are mine
Feeling content and happy to have the person they desired
Got a tingle
Feeling an intense sensation of happiness
Up and down my spine
Feeling happiness throughout their body
You're my special angel
Addressing their companion as someone who is unique and special in their life
My be-bop baby
Describing their companion as someone special in a musical and rhythmic sense
My little bitty pretty pet
Addressing their companion in a cute and adorable way
You send me with your
Feeling an intense sensation of love and passion due to their companion's actions
Lotta loving lips sublime
Describing their companion's lips as full of love and affection
I just want baby
Expressing their desire and love for their companion
To be my silhouette
Desiring their companion to be their partner in every aspect of their life
Tonight, tonight
Expressing their desire and excitement about the present moment
We're gonna go
Planning to engage in fun activities together
From the ABC's
Indicating they will engage in fundamental activities
Through the XYZ's
Indicating they will engage in exciting and adventurous activities
Oh, no, it's true
Asserting that their feelings are genuine and truthful
Cha cha cha
Expressing their joy and excitement through dance
Writer(s): Frank Slay, Robert Crewe
Contributed by Skyler A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.