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)".
Little Boy
The Four Seasons Lyrics
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Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
The Little Drummer Boy is a song that tells the story of a poor boy who comes to visit the newborn King, but he has no gift to give Him. The boy offers to play his drum for the King, and Mary nods in approval. The Ox and Lamb keep time as the boy plays his best for the King, and as he finishes playing, the King smiles at him. The song is about humility, using what you have to offer the best you can give, and sharing your talents with others.
The lyrics "Come they told me pa-rum pum pum pum" refer to the boy being told of the King's birth and the journey he takes to see Him. "Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum" refers to the boy asking if he can play his drum for the King, and "Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum" refers to Mary giving permission for the boy to play.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
We were invited to come and see the newborn King, and we were told to bring our instruments to make music in His presence.
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our purpose for coming is to witness the arrival of the new King, and to pay our respects to Him.
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We have brought the most valuable gifts we have, as a way of expressing our admiration and adoration for the new King.
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
We offer these gifts as a sign of our submission and devotion to the new King, and to show our willingness to serve Him.
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The sound of our instruments expresses our joy and excitement at the arrival of the new King, and our eagerness to offer Him our worship.
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
Our goal in presenting our gifts and playing our instruments is to show our respect and reverence for the new King, and to give Him the honor He deserves.
When we come
We will approach the new King with humility and gratitude, recognizing His greatness and surrendering ourselves to Him.
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
Although the new King is just a small baby, we recognize His divine nature and are in awe of Him.
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
Even though I have very little to give, I still want to offer my best to the new King, as a token of my love and devotion to Him.
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I recognize that my offerings are small and humble, but I still want to give what I can, out of a spirit of generosity and love for the new King.
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
I want to honor the new King with a gift that is worthy of His majesty and greatness, even though I know that nothing I have is truly worthy of Him.
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
I offer my drum as a way of making music for the new King, and expressing my adoration for Him through the power of music.
on my drum?
I hope that the sound of my instrument will bring joy and happiness to the new King, and that it will be a fitting tribute to His greatness.
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Mother of the new King signaled her approval of my offer to play music for her Son, and I felt honored to be able to share my gift with the King and His family.
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
Even the animals in the stable were moved by the sound of my drum, and I felt a sense of connectedness and unity with all creatures in the presence of the new King.
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I offered my heart and soul through the sound of my drum, and I felt a sense of transcendence and spiritual communion in the presence of the new King.
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I poured all of my love and devotion into my music, and I offered my best to the new King, knowing that His acceptance and approval was the highest reward of all.
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
In the end, the new King acknowledged my offering with a smile, and I felt a sense of deep fulfillment and joy in knowing that I had been able to give Him something that He appreciated.
Me and my drum
In the end, all that remained was the sound of my drum and the memory of the new King's smile, and I felt a sense of peace and contentment, knowing that I had given my all to the One who deserved it most.
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., BMG Rights Management, INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind